Sending greeting cards - do what works for you!

“The art of art, the glory of expression and the sunshine of the light of letters, is simplicity. – Walt Whitman

Tip #10 - 13 Days until Christmas - The tradition of sending greeting cards during the holidays is best when you do what works for you!  If you love to send a picture card - do that!  If you love to send a pretty card with just your signature - do that!  If you love to write a letter of the happenings for the year - do that!  If you'd rather just take a break for a year and see what happens - do that!  If you'd just rather send a Facebook post to all the people you keep in touch with - just do that!  It's the thought that counts, it's the expression and the art behind it that people treasure.  It's the act of mailing greetings out or the receipt of the greeting in the mail and feeling the connection with the sender that brightens the season.  I personally love seeing the pictures and how the families change and grow over the years.  Plus it is way more fun to get a letter or a greeting card in the mail than a bill!

Simply keeping in touch!

This year, I'm collecting the cards in the
basket my mom always used.  She
loved getting greeting cards!

 

Winter's snowy canvas

“This world is but a canvas to our imaginations.” Henry David Thoreau

 Tip #9 - 14 Days until Christmas.  Yesterday, our little area in Wisconsin was spent shoveling out from the snow storm.  There will undoubtedly be sore backs or some aches and pains to recover from.  The weather has turned really cold too, so what snow we did get, will stick around for a while.  As you recover, it's a perfect time to take a break and enjoy the beauty of the snow, the lights of the season, and the warmth of your homes.

Wishing you speedy recovery & relaxing moments to stretch your imagination!

I like how the tree lights
reflect on this picture - the
faded man in the picture
looks even more mysterious!

Ah...the peaceful snow covering everywhere!

Guess no fire in this fire pit today!

Snow setting on the camera made everything look blue!

Nature's snowy canvas is really very pretty.

Snowing down (aka slowing down)

“Advice is like snow – the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind.” – Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Tip #8 - 15 Days until Christmas - Sometimes mother nature helps us slow down and take a needed break.  Cancellations abound this morning after the snow storm yesterday.  I'm sure there were many cancellations last night before the snow even ended.  When you've worked hard and planned for something, probably with a little stress getting ready for whatever it was that you had planned, it can be disappointing.  Somehow though, when the snow is very deep, there is an understanding that the cancellation is warranted and it makes sense.

Just a little snow break for all of us.  The snow plows will come out, and the traffic will move again this morning.  I'm sure there will be children playing in the snow and things will go on as normal.  Wouldn't it be fun if we could all play in the snow and not have to go anywhere?  Ah...those were the days!

As a side note...for those who have joined me for a while visiting my blog, yes, I did finally get to test out the "snow setting" on my camera.  I do like how it catches snowflakes and the bright white of the snow.  Sometimes you get what you ask for.  We definitely got plenty of snow to experiment with!

Wishing you safe travels this morning - if you get the chance, play in the snow!

Last night - the roads were slippery!

Copper venturing out - see
the snow setting catches
the snowflakes!

Copper returning quickly - he's
not a fan of the deep snow!

This morning's shoveling to make
a path for Copper!  My hubby,
my hero, Copper's hero too!  

Yeah...a clear path to do
some "business"!

Yes, we got plenty of snow!

Simple gift giving thoughts

The entire institution of gift giving makes no sense.  Let’s say that I go out, and I spend 50 dollars on you, it’s a laborious activity, because I have to imagine what you need, where as you know what you need.  Now I could simplify things, just give you the 50 dollars directly, and you could give me 50 dollars on my birthday, and so on, until one of us dies, leaving the other one old and 50 dollars richer.  And I ask, is it worth it? - Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory)

Tip #7 - 16 days until Christmas.  If you LOVE the gift giving part of Christmas, you might be thinking, "Well, that's not very nice Sheldon!"  But...if you have ever struggled with gift giving, might you confess that you've thought those same sentiments at some point in your gift giving career, or maybe you're getting to that stage now??  Maybe there are still people on your list that you haven't found the "perfect" gift for yet.  Who are they and why are they tough to buy for?  Is it because you're not sure you should buy a gift for them?  Is it because you know they buy everything they need/want when they need/want it so they really don't need anything? (That's my dad!  I love him dearly, but he has been that way my whole life.  When I do find a gift for him, I know he keeps it just 'cuz its from me, not because he really wanted or needed it!)  Is it because you are really short on money and shouldn't buy gifts, but heard so-and-so is getting you one so you feel obligated?  Talk about unneeded stress for everyone involved!  Gift giving is supposed to be about the thought behind it, not like Sheldon's quote above.

16 days before Christmas might not be the best time to tell everyone you're taking a break from the gift giving task, but...if they are in the same boat, maybe taking a risk and asking them if they want to take a break too might just be a blessing in disguise?  Or...as you close up the festivities this year and begin talking about what the New Year will be like, take a chance and bring up "what should we do next year about gift giving...what do you think about only buying gifts for the kids, or how about just having a potluck and sharing stories or games?"  Creating memories around the camaraderie versus the gift giving might just be the best gift ever!

5 Simple gifts for anyone on your list:

Guess I'm taking away the "surprise" factor on these
gifts this year!  Don't worry, the wrapping will
definitely disguise these gifts!  

1. Gas gift cards - every driver will definitely use these!  - They'll appreciate you for the "free" ride around town.
2. Restaurant gift cards - Everyone would enjoy a "free" meal to their favorite restaurant.
3. Homemade treats or their favorite "sweet treat" - Baked goods are always a perfect gift for someone who loves them, but hasn't the time or the culinary skills themselves. 
4. Beverages - their favorite of course, be it coffee, cocoa, wine or liquor, they'll think of you as they share a toast to the New Year.
5. Cash - I can't think of anyone who doesn't appreciate cash to buy something special or save it for a rainy day.  I think every Sheldon likes cash.  Even if they do just save it until they have someone to give it to...

What are your favorite gift giving ideas?  What do you do to simplify gift giving?

A pleasure a day

A pleasure a day keeps stress away. – Ethel Roskies

Tip #6 - 17 Days until Christmas.  Time to check over the "to do list".  Double check, did you include on your list something to do that is a pleasure for you???  If your list only includes things that you have to do or should do, and nothing that you love to do, stress is inevitable.  I read a little while ago that if you cross 3 things off your to-do list, you'll find eliminating them didn't really affect your life negatively.  By not doing them, it simply frees up more time for you in the present.  What a great gift eh?  (No wrapping required either)!

Plan to do something you enjoy today!  Happy Stress Free Saturday!

Grab a cup of something you enjoy and relax!

Snow is coming...take time to build a real snowman or
catch a snowflake or two.  For me...I'm still
waiting to discover the "Snow" setting on my camera.
This might just be the weekend!  

Take time to craft something!  Many years ago,
I did just that...now, I'm just enjoying
taking pictures of random things and thinking
random thoughts!  

Simple philosophy

I have a simple philosophy.  Fill what’s empty.  Empty what’s full.  And scratch where it itches.” – Alice Roosevelt Longworth

Tip #5 - 18 Days until Christmas - It's Friday and the week has really flown by once again.  One tip for keeping the stress level down is remembering to "maintain" along the way.  Keeping up on the basic things that keep the house running is important.  That's true regardless of the time of the year, but more helpful during the holiday season.  Remember to water the tree if you have a real one!  If you have an artificial one, remember to water your plants!  Last night I came home to a very droopy plant - I must have totally missed watering it last week.  Thankfully, it is back to normal this morning.   Remember to empty the garbage, clean out the litter box or the hamster cage (A big thank you from Chewy to Sarah for fresh bedding this week!).  Take time for the pets - those faithful companions take a back seat when life gets hectic.  Give 'em a daily scratch or two to let them know they are still loved!

Ah...a little maintenance brings things back in order and prepares you for the next phase in preparation!

Great job keeping your stress level down!!  Enjoy your Friday!

We have an artificial tree, no
watering required, just lots of
vacuuming of the needles
the cats knock off!

Don't forget to pet (scratch) the pets!  They
love your company!!

Empty the litter box, empty the garbage,
pay the bills, file papers....oh dear, now
I'm adding too much to the list!  

Laughter equals less stress

“Humor, a great stress reliever!  Laugh, be happy and have less stress!”  - Catherine Pulsifer

Tip #4 - 19 Days to Christmas - Find time to laugh every day.  Statistics state that a five year old laughs 113 times per day on average, but a 44 year old only laughs 11 times per day.  Wow, no wonder we are stressed as we get older!  What a shame eh?  

Every morning, I check out the decorated tree to see what ornament has been attacked over the night by the innocent looking cats.  I just have to laugh at their creativity and ability to rearrange things.  I could be mad and stressed at these little annoyances, but remembering I'm already short on my laugh quotient for the day, I might as well take advantage and laugh instead!

Today instead of reflecting on the stressful moments and dwelling on them, look at the moments you laughed!  Try a belly laugh today!  I double dog dare you!

Upside down snowman ornament.
Looks like he was hit from the side and landed
on the branch below.

Rehung and all happy (yes, he's a homemaid
decoration from way back in my "crafty" days!)

The innocent culprit - "Why or why does she
take such stupid pictures??"