Really. You have permission. Yes, this election is absolutely critical. But you know what else is critical? Taking a step back. Recharging. Thinking beyond November 6.
Because the holidays are coming! And that means you have some shopping to do. But not yet.
What you have to do first is get your craft on, because it's time for the Netroots Nation Holiday Bazaar. (Well, almost. The bidding doesn't actually happen until later, Friday, November 30th through Tuesday, December 4th.)
But, yes, we're already practically there! Take a look out the window. While you were staring at your computer screen, obsessing over the Gallup daily tracking poll, autumn came. It's practically freaking Halloween already. (Trust me, no one is more surprised than me that we're here already.)
What's the Netroots Nation Holiday Bazaar, you might ask? It's you turn to show off for a good cause. There's something you're terrific at. Carpentry. Photography. Baking. Sewing. Crochet. Gluing macaroni to things and spray-painting it gold. Really, we're not here to judge. You make your best stuff, donate it to us, and we auction it off to people who love the idea of giving hand-crafted holiday gifts while at the same time benefitting a great cause.
That great cause is Netroots Nation, the homegrown idea that has turned into just about the most important annual gathering of progressive activists. The early donations that the Netroots Nation gets from both the fall auction and this Holiday Bazaar help keep the doors open while they organize for the next Netroots Nation convention, in June in San Jose. Funding NN now means they can devote more staff energy and attention to making the convention great.
But we can't very well have a hand-crafted Holiday Bazaar auction without stuff. Previous stuff has including everything from fine art to dog toys to chess lessons to Nolan's mom's handknit afghans and the ever-popular Aged 18 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Bourbon Balls. Yum.
You can donate your items at the auction site here or contact the Netroots Nation Development Director Karen Kolber (karen at netroots nation dot org) and let her know what you would like to donate.
And really, what better way to deal with election-induced stress than taking your mind off of it and using the time that you're not spending on GOTV in making something for a good cause?