How to Be Generous Creatively đź–Ś

November special + gifts that feel like hugs

Author

Emily Ruth Hazel
November 17, 2023

Thanks for being here, and for being who you are.

You matter more than you know. Your presence matters. Your story matters.

IN THIS ISSUE

On my mind: living & creating generously

What’s in store: November special + steeping leaves, cozy pillows & holiday gifts

Poem for the road: writing as a gift of hospitality

CREATIVITY MATTERS. And you can be original without making it yourself.

Creative gifts speak to us. They whisper, holler, giggle, sing:

Hey, I see you. I know you. And I want you to know how I feel about you. You’re more than an afterthought. You deserve something special—not just an over-scented candle I got at CVS while buying dishwasher detergent. (No offense, CVS.)

Creative gifts aren’t bound for next year’s Yankee Swap/White Elephant gift exchange. Creative gifts are memorable. They’re for the keepers in your life.

UNLOCK $15, $25, $35 or $50 OFF your order from Wild Honey Words through Nov. 30!

[Update: This promotion has ended; links have been removed. Subscribe to stay in the know about future offerings from Wild Honey Words.]

Throw & floor pillows, left to right: Hug Life, Main Squeeze, Ultimate Invitation, Soft Place to Land [Update 4/24: Wild Honey’s pillow collection has been discontinued.]

GIVING MATTERS. Let the joyfest begin!

No matter the size of your budget right now, there are infinite ways to be generous, and you don’t have to spend a lot (or anything) to give something meaningful.

From putting in a good word for someone to helping rake leaves, shovel walkways, or string holiday lights, everyday acts of generosity can be game changers—not only for the receivers but also for the givers and for everyone touched by the ripple effect.

Want some creative ideas? Check out Alexandra Franzen’s list of 50 ways to be ridiculously generous—and feel ridiculously good. (Shout-out to my friend and musical collaborator Victoria Theodore for sharing this!)

AUTHENTICITY MATTERS. Keeping it real is a two-way gift.

Wearing my dad’s ’70s neckties as belts for my 2000s bell-bottom jeans, I was in the thick of my Return to Big Hair phase (as I am again now) when my wise college friend Meagen Farrell told me, “Honesty is a form of generosity.” Her words as a fellow writer have stayed with me all these years. Meagen taught me the value of digging deep and showing who I really am—in my writing and artmaking, in conversations, and in sharing what I create.

I keep returning to the practice of vulnerability, because it is the birthplace of true connection. Because that’s what we hungry humans crave most. Because everything comes full circle, eventually, but being open-hearted never goes out of style. Because modeling the courage to be ourselves gives others permission to try on the same kind of courage. 

On that note, here’s a munchkin-size poem to go with your mulled cider…

Explore more poems in my Reading Room

Thanks for reading, and thanks for giving!

Both hands open,

Emily Ruth Hazel (she/her)

P.S. Want the Wordbuzz delivered?

One last thing…

Golden Leaves Go Gently Tote Bag [Update: This item is no longer available. Browse our current totes here.]