Put material things aside for awhile, give back to those less fortunate. Here are a few ways that you can give back: Volunteer with the Salvation Army, ringing the bell, work at the homeless shelter serving food, help with collecting toys and delivering them for Toys for Tots and if you have a heart for babies, Give back to families in the hospital during Christmas, donate time to The Gift of Life putting care packages together for those parents that have their premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit.
It has been said that dark chocolate reduces blood pressure. Try this recipe:
Heat 3/4 cup of milk in saucepan over medium heat until just before boiling.
Remove from heat and transfer to a large mug.
Stir in 1 oz coarsely chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate pieces.
Let stand about 30 seconds, then stir to combine.
Then take that hot cocoa and sit by the fireplace( I know we are in Florida) or on your patio and enjoy the cooler breeze as you relax to some Christmas music. You can also share that cup with a special someone in your life and just snuggle up together….
Social media seems to connect many people together in a virtual way, but have you thought about reaching out to someone where you can call them on the phone or visit with them? Facebook is a great way to reconnect with people, but the relationships are not real, they are superficial. Today, call a long-lost friend that you found on facebook and catch up on old times.
Take your sweetheart and family out to some of the community things that are happening in town. It does not have to be a spending spree, it can be something as simple as a parade, Christmas movie watching under the stars, coffee or hot cocoa at a small coffee shop, a Christmas play or musical at a local church or just a fun night at home watching the numerous Christmas movies now playing. The goal is to get everyone out and about and doing something together and building relationships.
If you know that someone is alone at Christmas, reach out to them. They may not have family here and feel alone. Some folks may be single and longing to have someone to reach out to them and just be their friend, won’t you call them and be a blessing?
Mark Brown/Staff Marianne Buckmeyer of Home Instead Senior Care gives a kiss and a gift to 103-year-old Martha Dear at her home in Nipomo. Dear was treated to the gift as part of the Santa to a Senior program.
Did you ever wonder how the mistletoe kiss started? One Greek tradition said that it had power to give fertility to the couple. Another belief from Scandinavia said it created peace during a couple’s feud. In the English tradition, it was noted that if a single girl stood under it and was kissed that it could mean a true romance that would lead to marriage. Regardless of what traditions we believe about the mistletoe, take some time to find your special someone under the mistletoe. Surveys show that couples who kiss often are ten times less likely to feel stressed or depressed. So meet your sweetheart under the mistletoe often for some stress relief therapy!
Christmas time is a time to start your own family traditions. As you and your new spouse start out your life, you will each have traditions that you both grew up doing. Talk about those traditions and what you liked about each one, then start your own. “Traditions provide a sense of belonging, ” says Barbara Fiese. It can be as simple as creating a holiday dish together, buying a new ornament and hanging it together or watching a favorite movie that puts you in the holiday spirit. Whatever you do, make it special so that it can help you remember that the reason we celebrate Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus! Merry Christmas!
27 Miracles loves to see their couples celebrating family traditions!
Today is the First Day of Winter and the shortest day of the year. This is due to the lack of sun, which can make everything look gloomy and dark. Today make your home as bright as possible with extra Christmas lights and candles. Take a walk outdoors around lunchtime and then at night look at all the pretty Christmas lights with your family.
Remember when you were a kid and you used to go caroling in your neighborhood and in school? It seems that everyone is so wrapped up now in technology and busyness that we just forget to slow down and take time to enjoy the Christmas season. So this Christmas, grab some friends and go caroling. Find some nursing homes or assisted living facilities where residents are forgotten and don’t have families at times and share some joyful noise with them.
Back in the day many people bought evergreen wreathes to give scent to their homes and brighten a dark day. Continue that family tradition without the mess by using evergreen essential oils. If you put a few drops on a terra cotta ornament, you will have that scent.
Let’s face it, stress is part of our daily lives. We are stressed about emotional, intellectual or physical demands of our time on a daily basis. Managing stress is the key to having good health and a happier more fulfilling life. At times there are things we cannot change, control or avoid. But if we can practice relaxation techniques to help us.
One study shows that couples that kiss often, are eight times less likely to feel stressed or depressed. So meet under the mistletoe as often as you can for some therapy! Don’t worry if you don’t have mistletoe, see these couples below they make it happen!
Today is Giving Tuesday! You may ask yourself what is Giving Tuesday? Giving Tuesday! December 2nd after Black Friday, after Cyber Monday! We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.
#GivingTuesday was founded in 2012 by New York’s 92nd Street Y in partnership with the United Nations Foundation. Together, with a team of influencers and founding partners, we launched a global movement that has engaged over 10,000 organizations worldwide.
As you are wrapping gifts, remember don’t do it on the floor so that you can avoid having back pain. Wrap on a mat standing infront of a counter or table. Wear comfortable shoes , this is advice from Ergonomist Chris Adams.
The important thing is to have Fun!! Sometimes we get a little wrapped up in life and have to take time to enjoy it…
Participate in Giving Tuesday by purchasing an ornament that will benefit premature babies and their families in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units.
