Tuesday 15 December 2020

Some of our favorite Christmas blog posts

 This was a fun post to do - I mean really - all we had to do was check out blog posts.  Which some of us do on a daily basis anyways.  In no particular order.......

Life approved simply  has a post dedicated to children's book.  There is a review of each book. There is no better gift than a book for a child.  Reading takes you places.

Head over to inspired by charm for orange-almond mushroom (the shape not the ingredient) sugar cookies.  This is X favorite blog so she had a hard time narrowing it down. These were so different we wanted to include them. When over there check out his Christmas decor.

A Wandafulthing  does a yearly 12 days of Christmas.  This caught our eye honey lavender scrub.

It you want a bit of a laugh the art of doing stuff shows us classic versus Pinterest outdoor decorating. 

Style at home  shows us a few ways to decorate for the holidays.

This is for best year  best Christmas destinations.  This year we can narrow it down to our top three. Research and start planning.

There were so many more.  We'd love to know your favorite Christmas and/or holidays blogs! Always looking to check more sites out.  Happy Holidays. 


Thursday 10 December 2020

Making the most of staying home

 2020 has been hard on everyone.  Even introverts (we have a few here) are finding it hard.  Over a Zoom call we discussed ways we are making isolation easier.  We wanted to share some of our ways:

  • On-line paint night.  On of us is addicted to this. There are Facebook groups and YouTube videos galore out there.  Everything from The Grinch, snowmen to winter nights. The supplies are available.  Dollar Stores have canvasses and paint making it pretty reasonable. It is fun when you get the whole family involved as it can take an evening and definitely a change from screen time.
  • We are starting our book club again via Zoom. 
  • If you won't be home for the holidays we're sure Zoom or Skype is on your list.  A friend is going to Zoom her family members and wear an outfit that relates to them for individual calls. A few shirts were gifts. Maybe dress-up for the parents. It is a way to make your calls more personal and a laugh if everyone remembers the shirt and the reason it was gifted to begin with.
  • Baking - we have the time why not?
  • Go through pictures on your phone.  Deleted doubles and out of focus shots. File ones you want to print later or send individuals.
  • Holiday movies anyone! Get everyone in your house to pick their favoriate. Plan a movie night with popcorn, hot chocolate and other treats.
  • Write a letter.  Yes, you read that right. Write a hand written letter to someone who would appreciate it (if not need it). Not two lines in a card, but an actual letter. People are in isolation and receiving mail is special. All you need to do is write about what is going on in family life. Even books or shows you are currently watching. People are interested.
  • If in doubt pick up the phone and call someone.  Or better yet schedule it in your calendar to call X many people a week. Make sure people know you are thinking of them. Just because you can't see them face-to-face don't write the holidays off.  This is going to be hard on a lot of people. As a community we have to do our part.

Happy Holidays   

Wednesday 2 December 2020

This Christmas will be different - send a card! Yep we said it.

 We were discussing the upcoming holidays and how this year would be different.  Someone said they were not sending cards this year. It didn't feel like Christmas!  Another person chimed in that sending cards and touching base was more important this year than every before!  People will be isolated. Families not travelling home for the holidays so yes to sending cards.

The bigger picture is we have to be creative this year. People won't get home. For some individuals sending a Christmas parcel is too expensive.  So sending cards is the perfect alternative. Maybe you haven't sent cards for years, in that case this is the year to rethink it.

Getting something in the mail I think means more than receiving a fast email.  A card to put out and look at.  That can be part of your holiday decor. This year more than any year touch base with people. Don't make the assumption that people are okay or that someone else is checking on them. Sending a card is one way to say thinking of you.

So dig out those cards or purchase them. Get those stamps and drop a note. Let Christmas 2020 say we care. We're thinking of you. We wish you Merry Christmas.