Monday, December 24, 2007

Surviving The Holidays #6

Well, you've made it this far. The holidays are jus about over. Chanukah has come and gone, so has the winter solstice, tomorrow is Christmas Day, Kwanzaa is right after and New Year's is next week. So pretty much whatever you celebrate the end is in sight. We all need to remember that the important thing is not the decoration of our homes or how many gifts we got or received but our relationships with those around us and our friends and family. That's really the true meaning of any of the holidays.

This is the time of year when there is a lot of talk about peace and good will and felowship but very little of it gets carried through to the way we act or interact with those around us. Unfortunately the harried nature of the holdiays often makes interactions worse than they would be otherwise and for families this can be a time of great stress.

So take a few minutes, relax, close your eyes, meditate or think about peaceful things and enjoy what should be the real meanings of the holiday season.

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Saturday, December 15, 2007

Survivng The Holidays #5 -- Inexpensive Gifts

A new dollar store recently opened in my area, in a somewhat upscale strip mall that also has a giant Whole Foods, among other stores. I went to see what it's like and in a way it's an upscale dollar store (upscale dollar store, there's a concept). Some of the things I'm used to seeing at dollar stores as well as some of the food items are not there but there are some wonderful holiday wraps and bows and great craft supplies (I like stickers), and stuffed toys along with the usual cleaning supplies, cereal, microwave food items, paper goods, picture frames, mugs, crossword puzzle books and dollar store stuff.





I was reminded once again that dollar stores are great places to go for inexpensive gifts. It just takes a little imagination to put something together from a few items that fits the recipient. If someone likes to cook get them a few kitchen items. A knife or spatula, a potholder, a trivet, a spice and wrap it all in a dishtowel. Put in a recipe (preferably using that particular spice) and you've got a nice gift. For someone who is always busy and could use a relaxing break in their routine put together a candle and a piece of nice candy (preferably chocolate, for most people) and a mug and some tea bags or hot chocolate mix and copy or write a poem about time to relax and watch the world go by.





By putting a few items together as a themed gift that fits the person you can have something they will enjoy and which will show your thoughtfulness.

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Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Surviving The Holidays#4 -- Museum Gift Shops

Still wondering about gifts that you need to get for children, adults, friends, parents, grandparents, neighbors, co-workers? An often overlooked and wonderful palce to shop is museum gift shops. They have things from all over the world, unusual and unique items and prices that are across the board from extremely reasonable to on the expensive side. You don't have to be in a big city to have a terrific museum gift shop. When I visited Casper, Wyoming last year I went to (among other places) the Nicolaysen Musuem and they had a wonderful gift shop. So good I bought some things to bring back for friends (and I live next door to New York City). Try your local museum, no matter how large or small and see what they have.

Another good thing about museum gift shops is that they will often have jewelry and other items from local artisans so you have the opportunity to support local craftspeople. The may have boks, stationery and other gift items featuring something local which can be great for gifts for both locals and people far, far away.

If you absolutely don't have a local museum or don't have the time to get someplace many museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and The Boston Museum of Fine arts have websites and you can order and have things sent to you.

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Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Surviving The Holidays #3 -- Older People

It can be difficult to think of gifts for older people in your life -- whether friends or family -- but sometimes a little bit of thought will let you come up with all kinds of interesting ideas.

If they have trouble getting out you can give a box of assorted greeting cards (birthday, get well, anniversary, holiday) interesting address labels and some stamps.

A gift certificate for dinner at a nice restaurant is a thoughtful item. It's great if they're on a fixed budget and this is a treat for them and it can also be great if they are not on a budget but this gives them a chance to get out and try someplace new or even a reason to go to a place they just like to go to.

Try audiobooks or large print books or newspapers make a great gift. They may not want to admit, even to themselves, that it's not as easy to read as it one was.

Gift cards for a massage or manicure can be great as it gives them an opportunity for something they may not do for themselves.

If you live close by and want to do it give them the gift of your time. Offer to take them out to lunch, drive them to a doctor's appointment, take them for a drive in the country whatever would be different or a necessity that they might not manage for themselves.

If they are having trouble driving see if there is a taxi or car service in their area that you can get a gift certificate from. This can be a great boon, especially in bad weather. It also keeps people from feeling trapped.

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Sunday, December 02, 2007

Surviving The Holidays #2 -- Regifting

Is it OK to regift? Sure it is. Just remember some important parts of regifting.

Do not give the item back to the person who gave it to you. This is incredibly tacky and can be too easy to do. Just make sure you are not giving it to that same person. Either put a note on the box when you get it (and know you'll never use it) or make sure you remember who you got it from in the first place.

Take out any gift card that may have come with the item. No one wants to get a gift and find there is a card in there from someone else.

Do not regift anything that looks shabby or used.

Do not regift something with an expiration that has passed or is very close; like next week.

You can put the item in a new box and you should definitely rewrap it.

We all get things we don't like, can't use, have too much of already and can give them to someone who could use them, like them and be glad to get them.

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