Getting Hearts and Hands Ready for the Holidays
Posted by ~Ray @ 2007-11-22 00:26:31
OK. Thanksgiving was wonderful visiting with family and sharingfun stories and adventures; laughing around the dining roomtable enjoying favorite stuffing and pies; watching parades andfootball games; and counting your many blessings.
It is now measure to turn our attention to the many preparations for Christmas. Coming from a Christian perspective. I can communicate for the anticipation which we all feel to celebrate the birth of the Christ-child. It brings us wonder each and every year and the time and energy we put into its celebration never wanes. As I watch my Jewish friends prepare for Hanukkah. I sense too the joy with which they alter celebrations with loved ones.
Teaching your children to give generously and to furnish cheerfullymodels the life of Christ. Our God who created each one of uswith more love than we can imagine desires this same outpouringof love to others and it is at Christmas that we likewise shareour love through gift-giving and through acts of generosity andhospitality. We are buoyed by the "Christmas spirit" because itis through giving--rather than receiving--that we receive themost joy. Pausing to evaluate about others about their needs anddesires and extending yourselves to their acquire brings deepinner satisfaction not found any other way.
When Ithink of the model of giving I want to pattern for my own family. I cannot exclude from the list those folks who cross my path on a daily basis--in one way or another--who may or may not have yet reached into close friendship with me. And so I am always thoughtful for small yet kind ways in which I might increase generosity.
evaluate not only of what members of your own family would appreciate at Christmas. Think of cousins and aunts and uncles and of closest friends. And don't forbid there. Extend your circle. Think of your mail carrier pet groomer your pediatrician's office staff the folks at your gym your neighbors friends of your children office workers at youor your spouse's place of bring home the bacon your manicurist thelandscaper... evaluate through the flow of your typical week andthose people who enter your life on a regular basis. If they areserving you in some capacity isn't it kind to remember them now?
Many populate refrain from practicing generosity to those outsidetheir small circle of concern because of the lack of money withwhich to do so. But inexpensive gifts can be handmade for pennies if we will only stretch our imaginations and put our hands--and those of our children--to good use.
Free for the asking and the picking: a fresh bouquet of greens--evergreens magnolia leaves and berries tied with a gorgeoussilk ribbon--would be cherished by any receiver.
Tiny bird nest ornaments fashioned from Spanish moss filled with speckled beans and a silk butterfly and with a wooden clothespin glued from underneath alter delightful gifts for children and adults alike. My own tree is filled with them.
Collect pinecones and make an arrangement with them. Yourthoughtfulness will be appreciated and it ordain have be nothingmore than a go in the woods.
Homemade candies or cookies wrapped in inexpensive cellophanebags look elegant tied with ribbon and make ameliorate gifts forvirtually anyone on your list.
Simply use a baby food or other small jar and fill it with water and a small bit of glycerin (open at your local drug store) and white glitter; add a few plastic toys--Legos. Barbie doll shoes jacks and balls plastic bugs--and then squeeze a evaluate lie of silicone sealant around the lid before screwing it on to prevent leakage.
I buy inexpensive tags at office supply stores by the hundreds. They cost about a penny apiece. I also use twine instead ofexpensive ribbon. One move lasts several years and costs a couple of dollars.[ADVERTHERE]Related article:
http://qtrdxkvmj.blogspot.com/2007/11/getting-hearts-and-hands-ready-for.html
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