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Rekindling Your Holiday Spirit
By Thomas Haller and Chick Moorman
The
holiday season is upon us. And for many it is accompanied by a hectic
pace, bah humbug attitudes, and the holiday blues. Spouses cringe at the
thought of spending a portion of the holiday season arguing with the
family or long hours traveling to have dinner with relatives. Visions of
children being let out of school for three weeks, with the weather
turning too cold for them to be outside have some parents shuddering in
anticipation of long days and short fuses. For many people the holidays
have lost their appeal and the reason for the season has become wrapped
more in frustration, greed, and disappointment than in joy and
generosity.
Is it time to rekindle your holiday spirit? Are you in need of bringing
some life, meaning, and enthusiasm to you and your family's holiday
season this year? If so, it's not too late to implement a few of the
inspirational ideas suggested below.
1. Slow down and enjoy the moment.
Repeat the following phrase 20 times a day to yourself beginning now and
continuing through the New Year. "I relax into the flow of life and I
let life provide all that I need easily and comfortably." Do this
faithfully every day and you will be amazed at the results.
2. Donate some time and energy to a charity.
Giving brings out a special part in all of us. Ring the bell for the
Salvation Army, volunteer at a soup kitchen, or help deliver food
baskets. Your giving will be rewarded with inner feelings of peace and
comfort.
3. Make your own holiday cards to mail to friends and
family.
Involve your entire family in designing and coloring a holiday picture
for your card. Agree on a saying or text message you want to add. Take
it to a Kinko's or Office Max and have it made into your personalized
holiday greeting that includes envelopes to match.
4. Take a unique and creative holiday picture of you or
your family.
The popularity of the serious family photo used on a greeting card seems
to be increasing. As a fun change of pace, why not surprise your family
and friends with a unique or silly photo of you and your children? How
about a group picture of the family's bare feet or a close-up picture of
each family member's belly button with a contest to see who can match
the belly button to the right person? The idea here is to be creative
and have fun.
5. Bake cookies or bread and make a personal delivery to a
few friends.
Bake as a family. Wrap as a family. And deliver as a family. The
personal delivery adds a connecting link between your family and the
recipient. It is an effective way to remember that being with someone is
as important as doing for someone.
6. Record five holiday songs sung by the family or kids
and send it to Grandma.
Grandma, Grandpa, or Aunt Julie will enjoy singing along with your
family's rendition of some of the holiday classics. You never know, your
family could be the next Partridge family.
7. Give a turkey or ham to five needy families.
Find a need and fill it. Your heart will be filled along the way and
your children will learn a valuable lesson in charity.
8. Attend a holiday concert or festival of music.
Holiday music fills the heart and soul with memories of childhood,
friends, family rituals, and special events. Allow your heart to open to
the music of the holidays. Let it soothe your soul and let yourself be
moved by its presence within you.
9. Make your own ornaments.
Decorate pine cones. Shape Play-Doah and let it dry. Make chains
of green and red construction paper. Buy Styrofoam balls and paint them
with glitter, glue, and string. Decorate cookies. The ideas are
limitless; flow with it.
10. Go on a "light seeing" tour.
Jump in the car with the family and go on a neighborhood "light seeing"
tour. When you get home encourage each person to talk about which light
display he or she liked best and have them tell why. Take a different
"light seeing" tour each night.
11. Make your own wrapping paper.
Trace cookie-cutter shapes onto large sheets of white paper, and color
and paint the shapes as desired. Or cut sponges into holiday shapes and
sponge-paint designs. Use that paper to wrap your holiday gifts.
12. Decorate a tree outside for the animals.
During the winter months many animals find it difficult to locate
nutritious foods to eat. By stringing orange rings, apple rings, and
carrots and placing them on a tree outside you create a beautiful tree
that helps the wildlife survive a difficult time of the year.
13. Give the kids disposable cameras and allow them to
take one picture each day from December 1 to January 1.
Finding the right picture to take can be a learning process for each
person, young and old. Encourage them to search for something that is
meaningful about each day on a personal level. Follow up in January by
printing the pictures. Each person can then create their own countdown
calendar to use during next year's holiday season.
Remember, it is you who creates the reason for the season. It is up to
you to take charge and make it the holiday season you desire. Happy
Holidays!
About the Authors:
Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller are the authors of
The
10 Commitments: Parenting with Purpose. They also publish a FREE
e-mail newsletter for parents and another for educators. Subscribe to
them when you visit
www.chickmoorman.com or
www.thomashaller.com. Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller are two
of the world's foremost authorities on raising responsible, caring,
confident children. For more information about how they can help you or
your group meet your parenting needs, visit their websites today.
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