As the end of the year approaches I find myself waxing nostalgic, reviewing my life, and trying to understand the information I've gleaned over the last year. This is no small task with the amount of company we've been (happily) entertaining, the three children underfoot, and a house sorely needing attention after the Christmas revelry. But, whether there is time or other priorities working against my introspection, I persevere as this is now a tradition and one I hold dear.
Before my in-laws said good-bye last night I asked my husband's ninety year old grandfather the secret to the long and happy marriage he shared with his bride of over sixty-five years (she passed last October). I asked him how it seemed so easy for him to stay in love and live peacefully with his mate for all of those years. His answer was given without any deliberation and with the wisdom of the aged. He responded, "We both worked hard. There was no time for anything else." At first I misinterpreted his statement, thinking he meant marriage is hard work, but when I reran his words in my mind I understood the simplistic statement. By working hard at their respective jobs - he running his own lucrative and successful business, she raising the children and keeping the books for said business - there was no time to live any other way. They loved each other and then they lived life. How brilliant! Today there are so many distractions. The 'conveniences' that are supposed to free up our time simply give us more time to be idle and therefore more time to create drama, tension, distraction, and bring chaos into our lives. When he and his bride were working and raising a family there was no internet, cable/satellite television, video game systems, or microwave ovens. Dinners were thought out and prepared lovingly at home, books were read to children, a few modest toys were around the house and well-played with because those were the only toys around, and 'free time' was spent doing chores like sewing, crafting, or learning something new. Children were not plopped in front of televisions for hours on end, movies were not given as gifts to be watched at home, they were treats that required going to a theater! I am not saying then was better and now is terrible. On the contrary, I adore living in our modern world where medicine has advanced, children have more of a voice, and microwave ovens help me prepare spectacular dinners quickly. But it does make sense the way Grandpa and Grandma lived their married lives. They were not so easily wooed away from each other like can happen today. The world wasn't entirely global, it was community-based. The neighbor was a friend, the teacher might come for lunch one day, Church was the 'social networking site', and once you said "I do" to your spouse you pretty much meant forever. There is a lot to be said for that world. If we could take the best of that era and assimilate it into our current world we all might be a happier lot.
During the end of summer when my mother-in-law was visiting I was going through a particularly frustrating time in my life. We are not only mother/daughter-in-law, but we are also dear friends. She noticed me struggling with my life and offered the following advice: "Sometimes, Honey, you just have to let things go. Don't hold on to them." Brilliant! Simple, yes, but brilliant! I was holding on to pain, hurt, frustration, and stress and it was doing nothing positive for me. I was angry but it didn't serve me or change my circumstance. Hearing this advice from a woman I respect, love, and admire helped to put my situation into focus and forced me to look at it from a fresh perspective. Those words were the catalyst for me starting this blog. I will be forever thankful.
I mentioned this lesson recently in a blog. It is a lesson I am trying to teach my oldest son. He would like to not go to school in the morning and fights me about getting ready. I explained to him that his going to school each day and each year will not change for many many years so he needs to learn to change his attitude because school isn't going away. This lesson applies to anything in life. People cannot be changed by us, and sometimes circumstances cannot be changed either. When these facts are what you are dealing with the only thing that can be changed is your reaction to them. You must change since the other person/fact will not. When I applied this lesson to my own life I found that dealing with certain members of my family became much more pleasant and easier! I cannot change them, but I can change how I deal with them. Fantastic! Again, a new perspective changes your entire outlook on life.
These lessons, simple to understand, are harder to implement. Changing the way we do things, recognizing the truths in our world, and letting go of anger, disappointments, and hurts are all difficult and may take a lifetime to do. But the more we make ourselves, our own happiness and well-being, a priority, the happier our lives become. These lessons are valuable and are fantastic to put in our arsenal as we begin another new year. Let's make this the year for personal growth, healthy living, and a dedication to putting more FUN into our lives. Join me!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Gearing Up for New Year's
The holidays do not end on December 26th. There is an entire week more of celebratory events that culminates in the ushering in of a New Year. This is an ideal week to entertain, visit with friends, make play dates for your children who are probably off of school, and to plan a fun way to ring in the New Year. Not nearly as formal in tone as Christmas, New Year's is like the rock star of winter celebrations. A mix of revelry, sparkly dress code, and no-holds-bar fun, New Year's has the potential to be the highlight of the holiday season. End your season with a bang and host, attend, or observe New Year's Eve with a bang this year!
Having people in is a great way to spend New Year's Eve. A simple menu of appetizers, with your guests each bringing one of their own favorites, is a fun way to do this party. Dips, finger foods, hot and cold assortments, a cheese platter, and punch are great spread ideas, leave little stress for the host when it comes to timing a meal accordingly. And don't forget to put out the last of the Christmas cookies for dessert. Once the New Year begins you'll want those out of your house and diet! Have on hand New Year's Eve hats and tiaras found in party or discount stores as well as noise makers(enough for everyone). Make and play a playlist of your most upbeat and fun songs as the background music, reminisce about 2010 and you all prepare to put it in your past, and then look forward to the optimism a New Year brings. If you are marking the occasion with children, plan to countdown to the New Year on whatever hour is reasonable - if midnight is too late (for ALL of you) try 9p, or even 7p! What matters is making the event memorable and fun for everyone in attendance. It's midnight somewhere in the world so countdown when it is convenient! And, I recommend NOT serving alcohol at your party - this is Amateur Night on the roads. People drink and drive and many get injured or killed behind the wheel. Stay sober, stay safe, and send your guests home to enjoy a New Year.
There are many ways to celebrate New Year's Eve that don't include alcohol. Many towns and cities around the country offer a First Night event. According to Teresa Plowright who writes at About.com Guide:
"First Night" events celebrate New Year's Eve with family-friendly non-alcohol-imbibing festivities-- and as if that weren't good enough, they're low-cost, too.
The idea dates back as far as 1976: Boston pioneered a First Night Celebration as "an alternative way of ushering in the New Year." In Boston, and many cities since, the focus is on community and on performing arts. Here's Boston's Mission Statement:
First Night's mission is to broaden and deepen the public's appreciation of the visual and performing arts through an innovative, diverse and high quality New Year's Eve program which offers the community a shared cultural experience that is accessible and affordable to all.
What this translates into is low-cost, high-quality fun. My memory of a First Night in Vancouver, BC is of friendly crowds (beer-bottle-free), plenty of kids in strollers, and excellent short performances of drumming, dance, and more, at multiple venues within walking distance, and at minimal admission cost.
Nowadays, hundreds of cities worldwide celebrate First Night, and in many cases the celebration is a day-long event.
If ringing in the New Year means drinking champagne, dressing up, or staying in with your mate, then by all means get out your Champagne flutes! As long as driving is not a part of your itinerary, enjoy! A lot of hotels hold fun, fancy, and expensive parties that include a room to "sleep it off" after the New Year has begun. Or you can simply stay home to toast one another at midnight and head to bed - what a better way to ring in the New Year?
Whatever way you choose to observe New Year's this year, please be safe, have fun, make your resolutions for good health, better living, stronger loving, and make a pact to make Chief 187 Chatter a part of your daily rituals. There is so much I'm eager to share with you all and am anxious to get started!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Now What?
Christmas 2010 is in the books. The gifts have all been unwrapped, the dinner served, the surprises discovered. For someone like me it is a combination of sweet relief and a sad realization that time moves incredibly fast. As prepared as I am working around the calendar to make Christmas for my family fun and memorable, I, too, feel we didn't get to "do it all". There were movies we didn't get to watch together, games we ran out of time to play, and a few things I forgot to put in the stocking, but overall I know the effect was magical and brilliant! So where do I (and you) go from here? I will offer some more holiday tips and concentrate on the next festive event which takes place at week's end. I am also working on a slew of entirely new topics (not holiday related) to share with you all. Still, each month there will be one or two blogs to keep you on a sane timeline to make the next Christmas all the more manageable, reasonable, and special.
For those of you who tried my suggestion of starting a gift journal and those of you who thought it was a great idea but didn't start one, I highly recommend you keep it out/get one and start a new entry - "Gifts for 2011". Even if you feel you are tapped out financially, try to find a few extra dollars earmarked for shopping in the next few days. The deals are incredible the week after Christmas, especially on Christmas items - wrapping paper/bows/gift tages, decorations, napkins, tins, and pre-wrapped gifts. This is the time to stock up on these items that make great gifts for the next year. There is no need to ever pay full retail for these gifts! You'll find that putting some money out now saves you a ton when next Christmas rolls around. You'll have a stockpile of great holiday gifts and they will all be long paid for by next December. Of course, that's the key. It is not a good idea to put yourself in debt to "save money". If you can't pay for these items with cash or on credit by the end of the first month, don't shop. If you can set aside the money and pay the amount off promptly accruing no debt, then it makes all the sense in the world to shop now. Take some times, hit the stores, pick up items at 50%, 60%, 75% or up to 90% off retail prices. Make sure the items are things you either want or need or would be ideal gifts for specific people in mind, be they family members you exchange gifts, friends, or people like your children's teacher next year, your babysitter, your postal delivery person, etc. Buying Christmas candles, ornaments, linens, and the like at these discounted prices, as well as useful gifts that are pre-packaged and novel, supplement your gift coffers come 2011. Stores such as Wal*Mart, Target, KMart, Hallmark, florists, Nurseries/Garden stores, and nearly every other store will offer deep discounts on these types of merchandise to move it out in preparation for new inventory arriving any day. Take advantage! Even high end stores, department stores, and boutiques will have sales of some sort. After Christmas shopping is the most rewarding for making your dollars go the furtherest!
Next, make sure you document your purchases as next December is a long way off. And, besides, some of these gifts may make great birthday or anniversary gifts, so write down what you bought, for who you think the item would be perfect and what occasion, and then store it in a safe place (i.e. a Rubber Maid plastic box, a drawer, or a shelf in a closet designated for gifts). I am fortunate to have a large basement, several large plastic boxes, and space to store a large quantity of gifts throughout the year. You'll have to decide how much you are able to stow comfortably.
Keep your gift journal with you throughout this month and every month of the year. It is a handy reference to check when you find a unique item, a cool sale item, etc. and want to pinpoint who it would be great for and who you need a gift for as well.
My last piece of advice for the days directly after Christmas are to sit down, watch a movie, sleep on the couch, play in the snow, drink hot chocolate with marshmallows, and enjoy the family around you. All too soon normalcy will reign and you'll wonder why you didn't take advantage of the slower pace. I hope you all enjoyed a peaceful, fun-filled, and happy Christmas.
Join me tomorrow and each day this week as we prepare to say good bye to 2010 and we welcome 2011 enthusiastically!
For those of you who tried my suggestion of starting a gift journal and those of you who thought it was a great idea but didn't start one, I highly recommend you keep it out/get one and start a new entry - "Gifts for 2011". Even if you feel you are tapped out financially, try to find a few extra dollars earmarked for shopping in the next few days. The deals are incredible the week after Christmas, especially on Christmas items - wrapping paper/bows/gift tages, decorations, napkins, tins, and pre-wrapped gifts. This is the time to stock up on these items that make great gifts for the next year. There is no need to ever pay full retail for these gifts! You'll find that putting some money out now saves you a ton when next Christmas rolls around. You'll have a stockpile of great holiday gifts and they will all be long paid for by next December. Of course, that's the key. It is not a good idea to put yourself in debt to "save money". If you can't pay for these items with cash or on credit by the end of the first month, don't shop. If you can set aside the money and pay the amount off promptly accruing no debt, then it makes all the sense in the world to shop now. Take some times, hit the stores, pick up items at 50%, 60%, 75% or up to 90% off retail prices. Make sure the items are things you either want or need or would be ideal gifts for specific people in mind, be they family members you exchange gifts, friends, or people like your children's teacher next year, your babysitter, your postal delivery person, etc. Buying Christmas candles, ornaments, linens, and the like at these discounted prices, as well as useful gifts that are pre-packaged and novel, supplement your gift coffers come 2011. Stores such as Wal*Mart, Target, KMart, Hallmark, florists, Nurseries/Garden stores, and nearly every other store will offer deep discounts on these types of merchandise to move it out in preparation for new inventory arriving any day. Take advantage! Even high end stores, department stores, and boutiques will have sales of some sort. After Christmas shopping is the most rewarding for making your dollars go the furtherest!
Next, make sure you document your purchases as next December is a long way off. And, besides, some of these gifts may make great birthday or anniversary gifts, so write down what you bought, for who you think the item would be perfect and what occasion, and then store it in a safe place (i.e. a Rubber Maid plastic box, a drawer, or a shelf in a closet designated for gifts). I am fortunate to have a large basement, several large plastic boxes, and space to store a large quantity of gifts throughout the year. You'll have to decide how much you are able to stow comfortably.
Keep your gift journal with you throughout this month and every month of the year. It is a handy reference to check when you find a unique item, a cool sale item, etc. and want to pinpoint who it would be great for and who you need a gift for as well.
My last piece of advice for the days directly after Christmas are to sit down, watch a movie, sleep on the couch, play in the snow, drink hot chocolate with marshmallows, and enjoy the family around you. All too soon normalcy will reign and you'll wonder why you didn't take advantage of the slower pace. I hope you all enjoyed a peaceful, fun-filled, and happy Christmas.
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| My daughter and me on Christmas Eve |
Join me tomorrow and each day this week as we prepare to say good bye to 2010 and we welcome 2011 enthusiastically!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Friday Music Blog
Welcome in on Christmas Eve! As it falls on a Friday this year it is Friday Music Blog day! Today's focus is songs that have "Christmas" in the title. The topic is wide open and can also include songs that feature "Christmas" in the lyrics as well as the title. Let's face it, any song you'd like to include today is fine by me!!
I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you (AGAIN) for all of your support over these last 3+ months. This was a scary prospect to take my blogging to my own site and choose the topics that were important to me and put them out there for public consumption. You have shown me such friendship, kindness, loyalty, and grace by reading, commenting, and following me. I am honored, blessed, overwhelmed with emotion, and, as I state often, so encouraged to continue. I also want to thank those of you who could truly care less about all of the Christmas hoopla and my weeks of discussing every aspect of Christmas for staying with me. Although there may be more of these types of blogs, the constant barrage is over. I will be getting back to the type of blogging I started when I began. My mind wanders so the topics will be diverse, introspective, universal at times, and all over the place. We have a lot to do in the months (years?) to come. I hope you all stay with me as I treasure your company.
Wishing you all the most Merry Christmas and a hope for great wonder, merriment, positive memory making, family, friends, good health, great joy, safety, romance, and a whole lot of love!
Join me throughout the weekend and definitely on Monday as I end 2010 with 5 more entirely new blogs. I hope you can make it!
Merry Christmas!
I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you (AGAIN) for all of your support over these last 3+ months. This was a scary prospect to take my blogging to my own site and choose the topics that were important to me and put them out there for public consumption. You have shown me such friendship, kindness, loyalty, and grace by reading, commenting, and following me. I am honored, blessed, overwhelmed with emotion, and, as I state often, so encouraged to continue. I also want to thank those of you who could truly care less about all of the Christmas hoopla and my weeks of discussing every aspect of Christmas for staying with me. Although there may be more of these types of blogs, the constant barrage is over. I will be getting back to the type of blogging I started when I began. My mind wanders so the topics will be diverse, introspective, universal at times, and all over the place. We have a lot to do in the months (years?) to come. I hope you all stay with me as I treasure your company.
Wishing you all the most Merry Christmas and a hope for great wonder, merriment, positive memory making, family, friends, good health, great joy, safety, romance, and a whole lot of love!
Join me throughout the weekend and definitely on Monday as I end 2010 with 5 more entirely new blogs. I hope you can make it!
Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Embrace The Season
Christmas is upon us. I mean it, it's really here! With two days to go until the big day, there is no where to hide and no more time to procrastinate. Whether you love this time of year like I do or can't wait until all the hoopla is over, Christmas is arriving. Fundamentally it is a wonderful day that tries to bring out goodness in people. My hope and wish is that you all simply embrace the season.
My eldest child is struggling attending school. He's actually a good student who is mastering the third grade beautifully, but he is frustrated by how hard he has to work to do well and how much work there is to do! Many mornings when I'd give the signal that it was time to get ready to catch the school bus he'd get into an angry mood. We'd discuss the whys and what fors and it always came back to he wanting to stop going to school because "I hate it!". I explained to him many times that school is mandatory, all the adults he knew had been in his shoes (and survived) and that he'd have to learn to deal with it. I continued to enlighten him by telling him his circumstances (i.e. going to school for the next many years) was NOT going to change so the only thing that could change was his attitude towards school. My son is a very good child, a sensitive lad with a big heart, a compassionate nature, and a slight stubborn streak. We're still working on this concept for him. With Santa's impending visit ("you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why"), the teacher's relaxed policy on homework since Tuesday (there isn't any the rest of 2010!) and the fun activities planned at school (he's wearing pajamas to school today and watching The Polar Express while eating snacks) he's been better about leaving in the morning!
My suggestion to all of you is to embrace the season like I tell my son to embrace his life at school. Christmas is here with it's commercialism, consumerism, and cynicism, but it also comes with its spiritualness, family time, and optimism. Even if the family you have, circumstances you are experiencing, and people you face are not ideal, try to capture the Christmas spirit and add to the positives at Christmas, not the stresses and negativity. First, wear something Christmassy! Bring out the goofy Christmas tie that blinks lights or plays a tune or simply is quietly festive. Wear a Santa hat to and from work on your commute! Put on a jingle bell and announce your holiday presence everywhere! Own a Christmas pin and earrings and a bracelet? Wear them all together! Only own a green sweater or red blouse? Put it on! Red lipstick is a must, too! Or Christmas socks. Or getting Mom or Grandma a Christmas corsage. Don't worry about looking/feeling silly. This is the time of year to make a child happy, spread some cheer, and forget the miseries of life, if only for a few days. Smile, say "Merry Christmas", be nice to the bagger at the grocery store who is always grumpy. When you treat others with kindness it begets kindness. And if you cannot be kind at Christmas, when can you?!
So I ask you all to embrace the season with me. Try not to worry about the gifts, the food, or the personality conflicts, just try to remember the important things in your life. As I tell my son, you cannot change how others act, you can only change yourself.
I thank you all for being with me during my first Christmas Season at the helm of my very own blog. I am most proud and delighted with my work and am so pleased and encouraged by your seamless support. I have much to be thankful for this Christmas, much to learn in the New Year, and a renewed vigor to continue on this path of writing, good health, shared joy, and peace.
A very Merry Christmas to all of YOU and a wish for good health, great happiness, and supreme joy as you celebrate the holiday!
I hope to see you back here tomorrow for the Friday Music Blog and all next week for more new content!
My eldest child is struggling attending school. He's actually a good student who is mastering the third grade beautifully, but he is frustrated by how hard he has to work to do well and how much work there is to do! Many mornings when I'd give the signal that it was time to get ready to catch the school bus he'd get into an angry mood. We'd discuss the whys and what fors and it always came back to he wanting to stop going to school because "I hate it!". I explained to him many times that school is mandatory, all the adults he knew had been in his shoes (and survived) and that he'd have to learn to deal with it. I continued to enlighten him by telling him his circumstances (i.e. going to school for the next many years) was NOT going to change so the only thing that could change was his attitude towards school. My son is a very good child, a sensitive lad with a big heart, a compassionate nature, and a slight stubborn streak. We're still working on this concept for him. With Santa's impending visit ("you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why"), the teacher's relaxed policy on homework since Tuesday (there isn't any the rest of 2010!) and the fun activities planned at school (he's wearing pajamas to school today and watching The Polar Express while eating snacks) he's been better about leaving in the morning!
My suggestion to all of you is to embrace the season like I tell my son to embrace his life at school. Christmas is here with it's commercialism, consumerism, and cynicism, but it also comes with its spiritualness, family time, and optimism. Even if the family you have, circumstances you are experiencing, and people you face are not ideal, try to capture the Christmas spirit and add to the positives at Christmas, not the stresses and negativity. First, wear something Christmassy! Bring out the goofy Christmas tie that blinks lights or plays a tune or simply is quietly festive. Wear a Santa hat to and from work on your commute! Put on a jingle bell and announce your holiday presence everywhere! Own a Christmas pin and earrings and a bracelet? Wear them all together! Only own a green sweater or red blouse? Put it on! Red lipstick is a must, too! Or Christmas socks. Or getting Mom or Grandma a Christmas corsage. Don't worry about looking/feeling silly. This is the time of year to make a child happy, spread some cheer, and forget the miseries of life, if only for a few days. Smile, say "Merry Christmas", be nice to the bagger at the grocery store who is always grumpy. When you treat others with kindness it begets kindness. And if you cannot be kind at Christmas, when can you?!
So I ask you all to embrace the season with me. Try not to worry about the gifts, the food, or the personality conflicts, just try to remember the important things in your life. As I tell my son, you cannot change how others act, you can only change yourself.
I thank you all for being with me during my first Christmas Season at the helm of my very own blog. I am most proud and delighted with my work and am so pleased and encouraged by your seamless support. I have much to be thankful for this Christmas, much to learn in the New Year, and a renewed vigor to continue on this path of writing, good health, shared joy, and peace.
A very Merry Christmas to all of YOU and a wish for good health, great happiness, and supreme joy as you celebrate the holiday!
I hope to see you back here tomorrow for the Friday Music Blog and all next week for more new content!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Games - Christmas Edition
First, I want to thank all of my loyal and wonderful readers for their comments. I read them all, even if they are on older posts, and I appreciate each and every word you type. Whether we agree, disagree, or are somewhere in the middle, I am honored by your taking the time to leave your opinions.
Today's topic is near and dear to my heart this time of year - playing games at Christmas. To keep the activity moving, to keep little fights from occurring, and to entertain everyone I set up simple, fun, and Christmas-themed games for my guests. They are for all ages and usually result in a bit of competition and a whole lot of laughter! Adding the incentive of small prizes gets most people instantly on board. Games are especially wonderful when the group is gathered but either it is not opening present time or opening present time is long past.
My first game is a tradition in my family. I read the poem "A Visit From Saint Nicholas" by Clement C. Moore. I own it in many books, but you can always download it off the internet. I, as hostess, read the poem slower than usual because each time I say the word "the" in the poem, the guests at my dinner table have to pass a wrapped gift to the right. When I read the word "a" in the poem, the guests have to pass the wrapped gift to the left. This works with as few as 3-4 people and as many as 20+ if you use a few wrapped gifts. Either randomly select a person to start holding the gift as you commence reading the poem, or allow the youngest/oldest/etc. to start. While I'm reading I over enunciate the words "the" and "a" so my guests know it is time to pass the gift. I also pause to make sure they are doing it properly! You'd be amazed how many people try to hold on to an unknown little surprise! When I read the last line, "and to all a good night", whoever is holding the gift after the word "a" is uttered and the gift is passed for the last time to the left gets to open and keep the prize. I try to find inexpensive yet nice gifts that would be appropriate for young or old and boy or girl. I've wrapped a small box of candy, a flashlight, a book, the poem "A Visit From Saint Nicholas" so my guest can own a copy and play the game at their house, or a deck of cards or other game that anyone would enjoy. Dollar Stores are wonderful places to pick up a few "one size fits all" gifts that can be used as prizes (or stocking stuffers if the games don't all get played).
Another game we play is "Name That Christmas Carol". I read a line from a Christmas song/carol and the 'contestants' have to tell me which song it comes from. I don't sing the lines, I state them which renders the quiz harder than you might imagine. The person with the most correct answers wins a prize. Along the way, once the song is guessed properly, have the group sing the song as much as they can. Instant caroling to add to your festivities! Offering a prize at the end helps keep interest and full participation from your entire group.
For all ages Christmas Bingo is a lot of fun. This game is easiest to play with a store-bought version. Check your local Wal*Mart in the Christmas section where they sell pre-packaged stocking stuffers. You shouldn't have to pay more than $2. After Christmas, if there are any left, pick them up 1/2 price or more off! Stock up for next year! Don't forget to offer prizes for the winner(s) of this game.
Christmas Trivia is quickly becoming my sons' favorite Christmas game. They watch specials, read Christmas classics, and listen to Christmas music all season long with me and now they see that is all paying off. They are becoming experts at the Christmas Trivia games we pick up on sale after season. I ask myriad questions and whoever gets the most answers correct wins ... you guessed it... a prize! My eldest is planning to take home the prize for this game this year! He's been 'studying' all season!
Lastly, I try to include a Christmas Cracker at everyone's place setting either on Christmas Eve or Christmas NIght. These are available widely in stores like TJ Maxx, Marshall's, HomeGoods, and probably many department stores. A box of 6 or 8 is usually how these wrapped cylinders are sold (they look like fancy large Tootsie Rolls). Inside is a paper crown, riddle, joke, or fortune, and some prize/toy which is released once you pull your Cracker apart resulting in a loud 'crack' and an explosion of contents! This is a British tradition that I added to our table twenty years ago. The first Crackers I did for years were homemade. I used the toilet paper cardboards, filled them with treasures - candies, Matchbox cars, jewelry, etc. - wrapped them in gift paper and tied the ends with ribbon. When opened mine didn't 'crack', but they were personalized to the recipient. Those were my favorite, but over time I ran out of ideas and time for my family and now rely on the store-bought Crackers. They are a great way to end a meal. As with all of my holiday purchases, I recommend picking these up in after Christmas sales as they can be quite pricey. I buy many when I see them and hold onto them year after year as nothing inside spoils - I buy the ones without food.
Whatever you play, sing, and enjoy at your Christmas celebration, be sure to try and have a wonderful time. These are the times we remember - wouldn't it be great to have fond memories? Resolve to do your best to be stress-free and not engage in arguments. You know you're right, don't worry if Uncle Bob or Grandma Goosey does.
Tomorrow we "Embrace the Season". Looking forward to hearing from you all and seeing you back here tomorrow!
Today's topic is near and dear to my heart this time of year - playing games at Christmas. To keep the activity moving, to keep little fights from occurring, and to entertain everyone I set up simple, fun, and Christmas-themed games for my guests. They are for all ages and usually result in a bit of competition and a whole lot of laughter! Adding the incentive of small prizes gets most people instantly on board. Games are especially wonderful when the group is gathered but either it is not opening present time or opening present time is long past.
My first game is a tradition in my family. I read the poem "A Visit From Saint Nicholas" by Clement C. Moore. I own it in many books, but you can always download it off the internet. I, as hostess, read the poem slower than usual because each time I say the word "the" in the poem, the guests at my dinner table have to pass a wrapped gift to the right. When I read the word "a" in the poem, the guests have to pass the wrapped gift to the left. This works with as few as 3-4 people and as many as 20+ if you use a few wrapped gifts. Either randomly select a person to start holding the gift as you commence reading the poem, or allow the youngest/oldest/etc. to start. While I'm reading I over enunciate the words "the" and "a" so my guests know it is time to pass the gift. I also pause to make sure they are doing it properly! You'd be amazed how many people try to hold on to an unknown little surprise! When I read the last line, "and to all a good night", whoever is holding the gift after the word "a" is uttered and the gift is passed for the last time to the left gets to open and keep the prize. I try to find inexpensive yet nice gifts that would be appropriate for young or old and boy or girl. I've wrapped a small box of candy, a flashlight, a book, the poem "A Visit From Saint Nicholas" so my guest can own a copy and play the game at their house, or a deck of cards or other game that anyone would enjoy. Dollar Stores are wonderful places to pick up a few "one size fits all" gifts that can be used as prizes (or stocking stuffers if the games don't all get played).
Another game we play is "Name That Christmas Carol". I read a line from a Christmas song/carol and the 'contestants' have to tell me which song it comes from. I don't sing the lines, I state them which renders the quiz harder than you might imagine. The person with the most correct answers wins a prize. Along the way, once the song is guessed properly, have the group sing the song as much as they can. Instant caroling to add to your festivities! Offering a prize at the end helps keep interest and full participation from your entire group.
For all ages Christmas Bingo is a lot of fun. This game is easiest to play with a store-bought version. Check your local Wal*Mart in the Christmas section where they sell pre-packaged stocking stuffers. You shouldn't have to pay more than $2. After Christmas, if there are any left, pick them up 1/2 price or more off! Stock up for next year! Don't forget to offer prizes for the winner(s) of this game.
Christmas Trivia is quickly becoming my sons' favorite Christmas game. They watch specials, read Christmas classics, and listen to Christmas music all season long with me and now they see that is all paying off. They are becoming experts at the Christmas Trivia games we pick up on sale after season. I ask myriad questions and whoever gets the most answers correct wins ... you guessed it... a prize! My eldest is planning to take home the prize for this game this year! He's been 'studying' all season!
Lastly, I try to include a Christmas Cracker at everyone's place setting either on Christmas Eve or Christmas NIght. These are available widely in stores like TJ Maxx, Marshall's, HomeGoods, and probably many department stores. A box of 6 or 8 is usually how these wrapped cylinders are sold (they look like fancy large Tootsie Rolls). Inside is a paper crown, riddle, joke, or fortune, and some prize/toy which is released once you pull your Cracker apart resulting in a loud 'crack' and an explosion of contents! This is a British tradition that I added to our table twenty years ago. The first Crackers I did for years were homemade. I used the toilet paper cardboards, filled them with treasures - candies, Matchbox cars, jewelry, etc. - wrapped them in gift paper and tied the ends with ribbon. When opened mine didn't 'crack', but they were personalized to the recipient. Those were my favorite, but over time I ran out of ideas and time for my family and now rely on the store-bought Crackers. They are a great way to end a meal. As with all of my holiday purchases, I recommend picking these up in after Christmas sales as they can be quite pricey. I buy many when I see them and hold onto them year after year as nothing inside spoils - I buy the ones without food.
Whatever you play, sing, and enjoy at your Christmas celebration, be sure to try and have a wonderful time. These are the times we remember - wouldn't it be great to have fond memories? Resolve to do your best to be stress-free and not engage in arguments. You know you're right, don't worry if Uncle Bob or Grandma Goosey does.
Tomorrow we "Embrace the Season". Looking forward to hearing from you all and seeing you back here tomorrow!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Gifts - Regifting
It's only four days to go until Christmas and I know some of you haven't finished your shopping. Heck, I bet some of you haven't started it! And then some of you may have one or two more things on your list but find you have no more time to shop - I'm here to help. Today's topic is regifting. I'm not sure where this term originated, some say it first appeared in a Seinfeld episode, but the concept has been around forever. Regifting is taking a gift given to you and gifting it to someone else. There are rules to regifting that must be adhered to do the process successfully. The following information should get you on the right track to successful regifting and perhaps even finish your Christmas shopping in your own home. Regifting is budget-friendly, clears unwanted clutter in your home, and can be beneficial to the gift giver and recipient both.
The first must of regifting is giving a gift that is unopened with tags in place or plastic-wrap, etc. A new item is what you'd get at the store so a new item must be for regifting. The only exception to this rule is telling the recipient that the gift is opened, used, or the like. "Mom, I know the DVD has been opened, but Bob and I only watched it once and we'll never watch it again. We know you love this movie and want you to enjoy it from here on out." This is a perfectly acceptable scenario. Perhaps including more - microwave popcorn, a box of candy, and a bottle of wine - would be nice accompaniments, but they are not necessary. Handing off an article of clothing you know would fit a friend or relative is fine, as long as the garment is unworn and is in style. Common sense rules here as does the Golden Rule - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
The second must of regifting is making sure the item being passed on is not expired, whether food, scented items or the like, nobody wants spoiled or past due 'gifts'. If these items are old, smell badly, or are faded (i.e. candles) then simply toss them. These are not items for regifting. However, a fresh tin of cookies, a newly purchased bottle of wine or box of candy, or a recently copyrighted box of designer candles are all lovely things to pass on to others if they do not suit your diet, taste, or lifestyle. Again, simply make sure the person/people you are passing them on to do not have dietary restrictions, a no drinking policy, or small children or pets who shouldn't be near candles! In other words, know your recipient and regift accordingly.
Many times we are gifted items that just aren't our taste, do not fit our lifestyle, or simply don't mesh with our likes. If the gift we've received is in excellent condition, is not too old, and would be better suited to someone else in our lives, passing the gift along is a terrific idea. From electronic gadgets, decorative pillows, scarves, holiday jewelry, homemade foods, and trinkets to clothing, video games, and movies, regifting is not only budget-friendly but a green way to observe Christmas by not going out in your car, shopping, getting bags to carry your loot home, etc. These items already exist so put them back into circulation and find the perfect home for them! But please be aware it is never okay to pass on personalized gifts you've received. Again, common sense dictates, but I bet there have been people who tried to regift a personalized photo album, needlepoint, or sweatshirt. If the personalization is there, you must keep it or get rid of it, you cannot regift the item in good conscience.
Lastly, do your best to make the gift extra special. Add a lovely note to the recipient about why you thought he/she would like the item. Make the item part of a gift basket and add other items you think he/she would enjoy in the theme you've created. Put batteries into gadgets/toys to make sure the item is in fine working order and ready to use right out of the packaging. Just make sure the gift is one you're proud to give and they'd be happy to receive.
As with all gift-giving, it really is the thought that matters. When regifting you must make an extra effort to think, check and recheck, and present well and with great thought. This Christmas season, look around your home and see what you might give to a person/family who might need, appreciate, and enjoy it more than you. The gift is doing NOTHING positive in your home if it just sits there collecting dust. Just remember, regift with sincere thought and love and the gift will be received that way!
The first must of regifting is giving a gift that is unopened with tags in place or plastic-wrap, etc. A new item is what you'd get at the store so a new item must be for regifting. The only exception to this rule is telling the recipient that the gift is opened, used, or the like. "Mom, I know the DVD has been opened, but Bob and I only watched it once and we'll never watch it again. We know you love this movie and want you to enjoy it from here on out." This is a perfectly acceptable scenario. Perhaps including more - microwave popcorn, a box of candy, and a bottle of wine - would be nice accompaniments, but they are not necessary. Handing off an article of clothing you know would fit a friend or relative is fine, as long as the garment is unworn and is in style. Common sense rules here as does the Golden Rule - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
The second must of regifting is making sure the item being passed on is not expired, whether food, scented items or the like, nobody wants spoiled or past due 'gifts'. If these items are old, smell badly, or are faded (i.e. candles) then simply toss them. These are not items for regifting. However, a fresh tin of cookies, a newly purchased bottle of wine or box of candy, or a recently copyrighted box of designer candles are all lovely things to pass on to others if they do not suit your diet, taste, or lifestyle. Again, simply make sure the person/people you are passing them on to do not have dietary restrictions, a no drinking policy, or small children or pets who shouldn't be near candles! In other words, know your recipient and regift accordingly.
Many times we are gifted items that just aren't our taste, do not fit our lifestyle, or simply don't mesh with our likes. If the gift we've received is in excellent condition, is not too old, and would be better suited to someone else in our lives, passing the gift along is a terrific idea. From electronic gadgets, decorative pillows, scarves, holiday jewelry, homemade foods, and trinkets to clothing, video games, and movies, regifting is not only budget-friendly but a green way to observe Christmas by not going out in your car, shopping, getting bags to carry your loot home, etc. These items already exist so put them back into circulation and find the perfect home for them! But please be aware it is never okay to pass on personalized gifts you've received. Again, common sense dictates, but I bet there have been people who tried to regift a personalized photo album, needlepoint, or sweatshirt. If the personalization is there, you must keep it or get rid of it, you cannot regift the item in good conscience.
Lastly, do your best to make the gift extra special. Add a lovely note to the recipient about why you thought he/she would like the item. Make the item part of a gift basket and add other items you think he/she would enjoy in the theme you've created. Put batteries into gadgets/toys to make sure the item is in fine working order and ready to use right out of the packaging. Just make sure the gift is one you're proud to give and they'd be happy to receive.
As with all gift-giving, it really is the thought that matters. When regifting you must make an extra effort to think, check and recheck, and present well and with great thought. This Christmas season, look around your home and see what you might give to a person/family who might need, appreciate, and enjoy it more than you. The gift is doing NOTHING positive in your home if it just sits there collecting dust. Just remember, regift with sincere thought and love and the gift will be received that way!
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