Christmas season doesn’t have to be complicated

OK, the Christmas shopping season has dawned, but don’t hyperventilate. Taking a simpler approach to the holidays can preserve some of that sanity — not to mention preserving the Earth.

That’s the word from Kanu Hawaii, the nonprofit where "sustainability" is a core belief, not just a buzz word.

Kanu’s "Simplify the Holiday" campaign this year invites people to commit to specific actions, such as buying energy-efficient tree lights, making donations to needy families or giving gifts of time instead of stuff.

Make a certificate for an ukulele lesson, say, or for cooking a meal.

Your simpler holiday starts here: kanuhawaii.org.

Maybe a credit card can be your salvation

Ever notice how much easier it is to spend money when you don’t ever see actual cash? After all, it’s just numbers on a touch pad … isn’t it?

The Salvation Army probably has noticed — and is banking that that’ll help givers be more generous than ever.

Along with the ding-ding-ding! accompaniment, many Salvation Army bell ringers in Hawaii (and Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, North Carolina and Wisconsin) are now equipped with modernized red kettles that allow credit cards to be used for donations. No more fiddling around for change, or cash-poor excuses — just zip, get your receipt and go.

But if the credit card is getting maxed out, don’t worry: Cold hard cash is still being gratefully accepted.