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2 Dec |
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8:21 pm Posted by Kristy |
List-making. Budgeting. Shopping. Cleaning. Baking. Decorating. Card writing. Wrapping…..More shopping. More cleaning. More baking. More shopping. More wrapping.
How much of your spare time fills with these activities during the holiday season? It’s no wonder the spirit of the season hamstrings us with stress.
But these preparations are the essence of the holiday season. When we focus on the moment and fully participate, these activities bring us joy. If you celebrate the season in the tradition of western Christianity, this time of preparation is known as advent, from the Latin word adventus meaning “before the coming” (of the birth of Christ.)
Advent is observed universally in churches of western Christian worship, including the Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist to name just a few. Characterized by the advent colors of purple and rose, the central tradition is the weekly lighting of the advent wreath each Sunday leading up to Christmas. Children can fully participate by observing the advent season through the daily opening of an “advent calendar” — a practice that builds anticipation and excitement leading up to the 25th and the day of Christ’s birth.
Help maintain that same joyful anticipation and excitement on a daily basis with the simple observation of advent, either on your own or with your children. There are many kinds of advent calendars you can buy, but some of the best are the ones you can make at home yourself or even with your children. Advent calendars make beautiful gifts for family and friends. If appropriate, an advent wreath centerpiece is a lovely hostess gift to bring to your next holiday party.
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To help lighten your load but keep perspective and joy in holiday preparations, browse and shop the extensive collection of beautiful, original Christmas cards and holiday party invitations available at www.looklovesend.com. Enjoy easy online personalization with your own photos and text to make your card just the way you want it. Choose from among premium papers, rich ink colors and back side card designs. Take advantage of free shipping when you order 50 or more!
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1 Dec |
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10:40 pm Posted by Nicola |
Teachers like gift cards. Period. Over the years I’ve agonized over which unique and appreciated yet not-too-personal gift to give to my kids’ teachers. Then I decided to ask a friend who is a school administrator what the view from the teacher’s lounge is on this subject. And that’s how I learned that teachers like gift cards.
So for the past couple of years I have presented a gift card along with one of our family photo Christmas cards inscribed with words of appreciation. But however heartfelt the words, it still feels somewhat impersonal so I decided to look for ideas of how to ‘personalize’ the teacher gift card with an accompanying inexpensive gift this year. Here’s the best of the ideas I found.
For the home: attach a Lowes or Home Depot gift card to a DIY magazine, a small flashlight or one of those small tools available at the checkout around the holiday season.
For the family: attach a movie theater gift card to a box of microwave popcorn, or a local pizza place gift card to a pizza cutter.
For the hobbyist: for the craft lover, include a gift card to Michaels with any small craft or decorating item from that store. For the athlete, attach a sports store gift card to a water bottle or Power Bar. Give the gardening enthusiast a small plant or pair of gardening gloves with a garden center gift card nestled inside.
Consider these gift card ‘extras’ if you plan to give your child’s teacher a gift this holiday season. But as we already highlighted in a recent blog, the gift of thanks always the best gift a teacher can receive.
