HOLIDAY QUOTES

No matter which year -end holiday you celebrate – or none at all –the fact is that most people take some time during the last weeks of December to reflect on the year that is about to end and about one’s life.  Here are some wonderful quotes from a variety of people that you might want to think about, and maybe even share:

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touches. They must be felt with the heart. Wishing you happiness.” – Helen Keller

“This is my wish for you: peace of mind, prosperity throughout the year, happiness that multiplies, health for you and yours, fun around every corner, energy to chase your dreams, joy to fill your holidays!” – D. M. Dellinger

It was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One! – Charles Dickens

May the lights of Hanukkah usher in a better world for all humankind.–Unknown

The seven principles of Kwanzaa -- unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith -- teach us that when we come together to strengthen our families and communities and honor the lesson of the past, we can face the future with joy and optimism. -President Bill Clinton

It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you... yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand. – Mother Theresa

My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that? – Bob Hope

Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most. - Ruth Carter Stapleton

One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up too quickly. – Andy Rooney

Love the giver more than the gift. – Brigham Young

Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone. – Charles Schulz

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.-Hamilton Wright Mabie

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. -Calvin Coolidge

The time is always right to do what is right.-Martin Luther King, Jr.

MAY YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL WINTER/HOLIDAY SEASON!

SEE YOU ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

Giving Meaningful Gifts to Those Who Mean A Lot

It's that time of year! The gift-giving season is now upon us. With all that we have to do in our hurried lives, there is little time to think of that perfect present we need to give to someone for a wedding, birthday, graduation, or holiday. If you worry about giving that family member or friend a meaningful, useful and thoughtful gift, here are some inexpensive ideas that you might want to try. Some of them even provide valuable time to be spent with your children and as a family when putting them together.

1. Keep them warm with a quilt. Everybody likes a quilt. The present says that you want them to stay warm. Keep in mind the color scheme of the house when selecting your quilt.

2.  A fancy leather-bound journal or diary. This gift tells them to record all of the moments in their day. When they look back on their life, they'll be glad they did.

3. Make them a scrapbook, picture collage or poster in a nice frame with the memories of your friendship. This gift would be a fantastic weekend project, and it would mean so much to the person receiving it.

4. Give a locket with a picture in it.

5. Create a “bad day board” for them. Put together all of the things that this person loves in their life, and paste it onto a bulletin board as a work of art. This can include quotes, poems, pictures, anything that they love. When they are having a bad day, they can look at this and be reminded that life isn't so bad. 

6. Buy t a picnic basket complete with all the plates, glasses, and silverware. This present suggests to take some time to enjoy the day and to observe nature.

7. Give  a copy of their family tree. This is the perfect present for anyone who wants to know more about their family lineage.

8. Board Games - In this age of electronics that pull us into our individual corners, coming together for a family game is old-fashioned fun that is underrated. Traditional Family Board Games will encourage a family game night!

9. Family Calendar and Photos. This is a great gift for grandparents or family members you don’t see regularly. You can create a calendar with personal photos for every month. Also, the digital picture frames that rotate hundreds of photos are really nice but more expensive.

10. Fresh Fruit. You can create your own gift basket of fresh fruit, and maybe even add other treats the recipient likes. Delicious and healthy!

11. Create Something. Write a poem. Draw a picture. Sew something. Make a handmade ornament. Write a love letter. Create something from scratch with you own hands and heart.