Have the holidays become too commercial for you? Are you feeling empty and unfulfilled during this time of the year? This year by making some simple changes you and your children can truly make the holidays more meaningful.
Teach gratitude during the holidays:
Gratitude should not only be for the material presents but for the little blessings in their lives. Begin to have your children tell you each day three things that they are grateful for. This helps children understand the true meaning of the holidays in several ways. First, the children begin to notice the little gifts that they sometimes take for granted, a butterfly, a sunny day, getting to sleep late. Secondly, once they notice these little gifts and are grateful for them they can start bringing more of them into their awareness.
Empower your family with tools to make the holidays more meaningful:
Spend time discussing topics like what are you the most grateful for? How can you make the world a better place? How can this holiday be more meaningful? What presents make you feel the best? Plan a kind deed day and see who can perform the most random acts of kindness. Write little spiritual notes and leave them in their lunchboxes.
Give gifts from the heart:
Write a story, a letter or a poem for your children. If you are artistic paint a picture for them. Put a photo album or scrapbook together. Record on audiotape your favorite family memories. Make a book of all the reasons you are grateful to have your loved ones in your life. Share a favorite childhood treasure that you saved, like a coin or a doll from your favorite collection. Finally, purchase gifts from charities that donate back to community.
Learn and then teach the spiritual meaning behind each faiths traditions:
Share with your children that the candles are lit on Hanukah to symbolize the light of the Creator in our lives. Explain that a wreath is a symbol of the eternal circle of life. Describe how the presents for Kwanzaa represent the deep connection between parents and children. Illustrate how the sun’s return
and warmth are celebrated during the Winter Solstice. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa or the Winter Solstice share the beautiful miracles within each faith and then have your children share some of the miracles in their own lives.
Celebrate differences:
Attend a worship service with a friend or a family member of another faith. This exposes children to the marvelous ways we are more similar than different. For it is only when we embrace the differences, that we can truly come together in unity.
Make community service and helping those less fortunate part of your family holiday activities:
There are so many wonderful lessons when we give of ourselves to others. Have your children start or participate in a toy, clothing, or food drive for those less fortunate. By participating in charitable acts your children can learn that they can make a difference in the life of another, that they have a purpose, and that they can be part of the solution.
Slow down enough to enjoy the essence of your children and of the holidays:
Our children remember the time and the energy shared as a family not the gifts, the parties or how perfectly the house is decorated. Say no to commitments that are not going to serve the greater good of your family. As Kabril Gibran so eloquently said in The Prophet, “Our children are but ours for such a short time.” Make this short time a time of wonder and reverence for your children to discover the true meaning of the holidays.
About The Author
Debbie Milam is a pediatric occupational therapist, life coach and educator. Her work has appeared on PBS and in Elle, First For Women, and Ladies Home Journal. She is the author of 7 Secrets to Creating Peaceful Relationships and the creator of The Miracle is You Children’s Relaxation CD and Moments of Joy Spiritual Exercise Cards. Her uplifting products make beautiful holiday gifts for both adults and children.
Sign up for her free e-zine: http://www.unlimitedinspiration.com and receive the transformational special report 35 Ways to Achieve Instant Calm During the Holidays
debbie@unlimitedinspiration.com
Okay, ladies: listen up! I am here to tell you what men want for Christmas. It isn’t cologne and it isn’t some awful looking tie. Please! It could be NFL playoff tickets, but we know that prices for them are through the roof. Instead, us guys want stuff that is both useful and practical something we won’t pretend to like and hide away in our closets, but stuff that we will use all the time. I’ve made a list to make it easy on you as I know how hard it can be for us guys to communicate to our gals.
1. NFL Tickets!!! No, wait! You can go to eBay and get “discounted” tickets for a mid-January meeting between the Giants and some other team for a lot less than what you’ll pay through a neighborhood scalper. How many fans do you think will put up with ten degree Meadowlands cold on a January day to see the Giants. Oh, yeah, I forgot: plenty. Tickets are likely to go for one or two thousand a piece!
2. Hockey Time. More down to earth in price are NHL hockey tickets. Heck, the toothless boys sat out the season last year and everyone is chomping at the bit to see them play. With no strike on the horizon, your guy is likely to be able to see a complete game. All that bloodletting and head bashing for a song! For grins, get him Stanley Cup tickets. Nothing beats watching a hockey game in June when it is 93 degrees outside!
3. To The Islands! No, not Staten Island and certainly not Long Island. A January or February trip to a warmer climate will be both reasonably priced and fun. Just don’t pick a place that was trashed by one of the 23 tropical systems that attacked the Caribbean, the Americas and the Gulf Coast this year. No telling what amenities are in place! One rule:
have the grandparents come to your house to watch the kid. Junior getting the flu is no reason for you not to go! [Blush!]
4. Get Tools. Yes, if your man enjoys tinkering around the house, get him an electric saw, a power drill, or anything else that he can use to fix that darn, lose railing in the family room! [wink, wink] If you aren’t sure what to get him, a gift certificate will do. Sounds tacky? Well, it certainly beats a “thanks, dear” when he opens up his gift and finds a water pump inside!
5. Stuff For His Truck. What a guy really wants is something for his truck. Nah, let him get his own gun rack and ammo; I’m talking about a cold air intake or a performance chip. Something that brings power to the ole pick up! What am I saying? Get him something that he can really use that will bring a smile to his face. Performance exhaust systems, Altezza lights, roof rails, side window vents, fog lights, truck liners, step rails, brake dust shields, hitches, alloy wheels, a set of new tires, head light covers, hood protectors, and an engine pulley are some of the items that are sure to be hot this Christmas. He’ll be happy and he will think you know something about his truck – hey, you are the one who wants him to talk with you, right?
Still not sure? Then ask. Chances are I already mentioned something that he wants. If you are low on cash a set of new truck mats will suffice, but please let him pick the color.
Some how Summer Rose floor mats just don’t match his Silverado’s interior!
Matt Keegan is a wacky auto enthusiast and contributing writer for PitStop Auto Parts, a seller of discount auto accessories includingNifty floor mats and Power Flow mud flaps for your motor vehicle.
How can you shop for a woman who already owns everything she wants? It’s not as difficult as you may think because there’s always a unique approach at buying for the woman who seemingly has a closet full of clothes or a box full of jewelry. Besides, there’s always room for one more outfit or piece of jewelry.
Gift Idea For Her #1: Diamonds
Diamonds are timeless and always in style. The most commonly found are white diamonds, but what about a blue, cognac or black diamond? These are becoming more readily available and are quite stunning. They are certainly not something that you see at the local jewelry store without seeing a huge price tag to match. If you’re looking for a nice selection of jewelry for Christmas gift ideas, at an affordable price, browse around the internet and compare prices.
Gift Idea For Her #2: Snuggly Pajamas
Being that Christmas falls in winter, it’s always nice to have a pair of snuggly pajamas for those chilly evenings. Fleece pants come in a variety of adorable designs and, matched with a cotton t-shirt, are perfectly comfortable for an evening at home and make wonderful Christmas gift ideas.
Gift Idea For Her #3: Naming a Star in Her Honor
If she is the star in your life, let her know by naming a star in her honor. There are quite a few novelty stores online, which offer star naming services. For a set price, you can name a star, give it a dedication date and present it as a gift to the special lady in your life. Along with a star information kit, the buyer receives a certificate suitable for framing and a map to indicate the location of the
star. The specialty store usually offers a framing package, but you can save some big bucks if you buy a nice frame at a local store and frame it yourself. It’s almost certain that she doesn’t already have her own star, so this will be a truly unique Christmas gift idea.
Gift Idea For Her #4: Foot Massager
How many times does she say how nice it would be to sit down? What if, while she was sitting, she could get a foot massage? There are plenty of foot massagers, especially near the holidays, that are made available for sale. Some have water to give a spa-like treatment while others allow you to slip your foot inside just as you would a slipper. Either would make a nice gift for the woman who’s on her feet all day.
Gift Idea For Her #5: Personalized Birthstone Ring
Personalization is always a nice Christmas gift idea. Consider a personalized birthstone ring or a ring which includes the birthstones of the special people in her life. An initial pin is also a great way to go and a classic addition to a turtleneck sweater, as well.
Gift Idea For Her #6: A Gift Certificate
If all else fails, consider a gift certificate or gift card for use at her favorite store. This option is terrific for the woman who is truly impossible to shop for because, this way, she can do the shopping for herself. When selecting a store, make sure it’s one that she frequents so that you know it’s a favorite. A box of her favorite chocolates, or other candy, would also make a thoughtful touch.
For more great Christmas gift ideas and resources check out http://gifts.christmashub.com
You only have seven days until your Thanksgiving guests arrive. Is it time to panic or time to plan? You are going to need a clean house, a scrumptious meal and a happy family. It is time to plan. Pullout your Thanksgiving planning calendars you started three weeks before Thanksgiving and get going.
One week before Thanksgiving:
Make a list of all your vegetables and creamery needs. You can purchase butter and heavy cream now and be sure to have enough. Often times the stores will sell out of these items closer to Thanksgiving.
If you will be having overnight guests purchase some eggs, sausage, bacon and pancake mix for the morning after Thanksgiving. This will make your Friday home relaxed and enjoyable.
All your vegetable needs such as squash, potatoes and green beans will keep well for a week. By purchasing all these items ahead of time you will not only be sure to have plenty you will also make your last minute shopping easier.
Dig out all your linens, china, crystal and silver.
Begin with washing and
drying your linens. Iron your table cloth and napkins then lay them out on the table. Polish any silver you will be using and make sure that all the crystal is clean and sparkling. Hand wash all your fine china and lay it out on the table.
Dig out any turkey roasters, platters and serving dishes you will be using. Wash and prepare all of them so they are clean and ready on Thanksgiving. This will help to reduce your stress when it comes time to begin cooking.
Shauna Hanus is a gourmet cook who specializes in creating gourmet recipes. She has put together a special Thanksgiving e-Cookbook that gives you 73 recipes to cook your leftover turkey as well as two bonus e-books of a special holiday ice cream cookbook that includes favorites like pumpkin pie ice cream and pecan pie ice cream. She has also put together a holiday planning guide to help you have the most enjoyable Thanksgiving ever. You can find all of these at http://www.turkey-leftovers.com
I have walked through a countless number of stores searching for a Mother’s Day gift and I always see the same things. A nice blouse, a trinket for the kitchen, or perhaps a bottle of perfume (do they all smell the same to you too, or is it just me?). After three stores I am tired and frustration begins to set in.
At this point I am asking myself serious questions. Is it ok to get that great “one” gift that Mom loved a few years ago, but maybe in a slightly different style or shape? Will she like it as much and does she really need another? This is the jigsaw puzzle that was my life and I tend to think that I am not alone. Last year I tried something new.
If you read my article “A Little Something Special Goes a Long Way”, you will learn that I have a great deal of “gift giving” experience. I have wowed clients time and time again with personalized gift baskets that I found online and I attribute the thoughtful uniqueness of my furnishings as sustaining me through one of the toughest times, if not the toughest time, in the hotel industry’s history. A thought occurred to me last year that was one of those
things that was right there in front of my face and I did not see it for several years before it smacked me right between the eyes.
Could I get the same type of reaction from Mom on Mother’s Day if I show up with a personalized gift basket in hand? Would she talk about the contents for months to come? I gave it a shot and sure enough, it was a HUGE hit! She absolutely loved it! Suddenly the 14k gold Star of David that I gave her a few years back faded into the past. I was now her number one son (of three). In all seriousness, it was a huge success and it brought truth to the saying that sometimes the answers to questions sometime lie within the simplest of solutions.
As a result of my success, I have spent hours searching for personalized items that I have used to wow clients and my Mom, and I have brought them to you via virtual space. I hope that you will find one of my hand picked items to meet your Mother’s Day gift needs. From my tiny brain to your computer screen! Good luck in your search and remember that the special day is Sunday, May 8th.
Eric Ganshttp://www.hospitablegifts.com
Did you know that more than 47% of US households are headed by unmarried individuals? The American Association for Single People projects this figure will continue to rise in the coming decade. Therefore, if you are single you are not alone. And … if you have single adults in your social circle, don’t assume alone means “lonely.”
As Thanksgiving approaches and we start making holiday plans, here are some things to keep in mind.
Perception: That it’s terrible to be alone for the holidays. Reality: This is mostly a projection of married people who fear the unknown or could not tolerate being alone before they were married. The reality is that single people who observe what goes on at holiday get-togethers between couples, 50% of whom are destined to be divorced at some point, think there are worse things than being single.
Perception: That single people are desperate to be invited over for Thanksgiving dinner.Reality: Single people have myriad options and no one to consult. I can go on a cruise, stay home in my bathrobe and declare it a non-holiday, do meaningful volunteer work at the homeless shelter, invite friends over, or get a dinner reservation at a hotel. Or I can accept any one of the numerous invitations I get. Contrary to what you might think, we single people are popular at the holidays. Most of us have accomplished social skills and are welcome additions at holiday gatherings
Perception: Single people don’t know what to do for holidays.Reality: We’re used to planning our social lives actively, good at generating options, used to making unilateral decisions, and accomplished “mixers.” We’re pros!
Perception: Anyone who’s single is fair-game to perform certain social tasks during the holiday celebration.Reality: We like to be cherished guests, just like everyone else. “Can you come for Thanksgiving dinner. I
need some help with Aunt Edna?” is not an invitation. If your family doesn’t get along and you’re inviting the single person to “throw a steer in with the bulls,” that’s not nice either. It’s your problem; solve it yourself.
Perception: Single people are available to do certain physical tasks.Reality: This isn’t an invitation either: “Can you come over early and help out in the kitchen. I’ve got my hands full.” What about her husband? Her sisters? As best-friend, yes; as the only working-guest, absolutely not.
Perception: That the only “happy” way to spend the holidays is if you are acouple or part of a family. Reality: If that were so, half the articles on the Internet this time of year wouldn’t be about how to cope with family at the annual holiday get-togethers.
Perception: That single people are miserable during the holidays.Reality: Yes, it can be difficult if it’s their first Thanksgiving after a divorce or after a spouse has died, but the majority of single people are no more miserable than anyone else, and perhaps less so. Since being single (with grown children), I’ve had the same levels of pleasure, the same good and better holidays, but there’s one thing for sure – I’m more rested, and that in itself goes a long way.
So if you’re thinking about including a single person in your family gathering, make sure it’s because you want them there, not to fulfill a function or because you think they’d be miserable if it weren’t for your invitation. A guest is a guest, whether they’re single or married, and good manners prevail.
©Susan Dunn, MA, EQ coaching, http://www.susandunn.cc , mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc . Individual coaching, business programs, EQ Alive! #1 rated program to increase your EQ – simple, no memorizing, it works. Email for information, and free ezine.
As the holiday season approaches, my well-organized, super achiever friends have already put into motion the plans for their annual, holiday extravaganza.
All year long, they have purchased gifts at bargain prices. Their favorite family photo is duplicated onto 1000, addressed greeting cards. They can’t wait to flip the switch illuminating their house which is permanently wired with twinkle lights and they have a file of menus carefully clipped from last year’s Thanksgiving edition of Oprah magazine.
Sometimes I am envious of this achievement, sometimes I hate them for it (not really) and sometimes I even get caught up competing with them. The real freedom comes when I chose to give up the entire holiday tradition completely.
Don’t get me wrong, I still celebrate, but differently. Memorable? You betcha!
That’s impossible, you argue. Generations of family traditions, thrown out the window? That’s right…and I’m challenging you to try it…offer a new tradition this year…steeped in values, simmering with love, and bursting with opportunities to connect with the best part of who we are. It could be the best gift you have ever given yourself, your friends and family.
Here are my tried and true approaches for a life-changing, no stress holiday season:
Volunteer: Sign up to serve Thanksgiving dinner at the local soup kitchen. You will have a profound experience, I promise.
Become a bigger family: Announce at your church or school that you are organizing a potluck Thanksgiving for singles and for families who would like to be part of a bigger group i.e. anyone who wants someone to eat with on Thanksgiving. Encourage people to bring their favorite holiday dish.
You would be amazed at the people who come….divorced parents whose children are visiting “the other parent,” single adults, single parent families, and people who can’t face the stress of preparing and cleaning up a huge dinner by themselves.
Take a trip: Take a trip at Christmas. Take your family or a special friend and go somewhere
you’ve never been. Explore. Christmas decorations are everywhere… religious services abound. Resorts often have lots of empty condos at Christmas. (It’s the week after Christmas that is in big demand.)
Select an area restaurant for a deluxe Christmas Eve dinner remembering that nothing is open on Christmas Day.
Enjoy games, books, and puzzles together.
For children, emphasize the search: Give less expensive gifts and hide them. Leave rhyming clues to maximize the fun.
Entertain foreign guests: Call the local colleges and universities and request foreign students as guests for the holiday. They are such fun and bring fascinating stories about their lives at home and at the school. Sometimes they even contribute a treat from their homeland!
Remember those who work on holidays: Take some cut up veggies and a dip to an office where people work throughout the holiday…such as a fire station, a police station, or a nurses station at the hospital. Usually sweets abound, but nutritious nibbles make for a thoughtful gift.
Wrap little novelties for a nursing home of Alzheimers patients. Sit and visit a while with patients who can still connect. Women love used costume jewelry.
Propose a special family project such as helping the Battered Women’s Shelter. You can collect toiletry donations from big hotels or hold a clothing drive.
Honor a favorite relative by giving a goat to a family in Uganda in his or her name. Go to http://catalog.heifer.org.
These are a few ideas to get you going. The hardest part is choosing to do something different. Focus on enjoying your family rather than pleasing them. Simplify your preparation, and give love at a time that carries loneliness and heartbreak for so many. Instead of stress, you will find yourself full of gratitude.
© Ana Tampanna
Ana Tampanna, “The Alligator Queen,” is author or the “The Womanly Art of Alligator Wrestling.” To learn more about her books in addition to her speaking and coaching services, visit her site at http://www.alligatorcoach.com/index.html.
How Does Santa Make Out His List?
I’ll let you in on a secret: I know Santa Claus. And I received a letter from him with his Christmas list.
“Dear Kristin,
“Thank you for the homemade cookies last year. For some reason, people seem to forget that I’m not planning to lose weight, thank you very much. I don’t have a peanut allergy and I’m not lactose intolerant. Up here at the North Pole, we don’t get nonsense like that. But you wouldn’t believe some of the notes I get in lieu of cookies.
“‘Santa, you’re too fat, get real, love Dr. Phil…Dear Santa, you’re in violation of the no-fly zone, signed, the Coalition…Dear Santa, you’re using slave labor and oppressing our elf minorities, peace, the Rev. Jesse Jackson…Dear Santa, you’re cruel to reindeer, sincerely, PETA…Dear Infidel Santa, we shall eliminate you, signed al-Qa’eda.’
“I was never designed to be politically correct. Right jolly old elf and all that. I’m tired of all this nonsense from people who have forgotten what Christmas used to stand for.
“So, here’s my Christmas list. I won’t stop delivering toys, but I will start at least expecting a little something in return after all these years.
“1. Dear al-Qa’eda: I have nothing against Allah. Or Jesus Christ or Buddha or anybody’s God. I dislike murder in the name of religion. I deliver to all the children who you’re going to someday teach to blow themselves up. I deliver love. Your mullahs always say Islam is a religion of love and peace. And for the record, several of my elves are gay. Do I hate them? No.
“2. Dear television news media: Please stop saying ‘Christmas stress.’ You create Christmas stress. Thousands of miracles happen every day from babies being born to people being rescued to children deciding that someone else needs help. And yet you deliberately choose to talk about alcoholism, murder, sex, family quarrels, and above all, endless materialism. Not to mention celebrities. Who elevated these people to all-knowing status? Who cares what Christmas toy they buy or endorse? And please stop criticizing people for having religious beliefs. If the President of the United States can’t express faith in God, there is something wrong with this world. You are only helping those who use religion as an excuse for hatred and greed.
“3. Dear celebrities: Stop making movies where I am the bad guy. There is precious little wonder and innocence in children’s lives. And while you’re at it, stop taking your clothes off and blowing up people in
your films. Give me more ‘Seabiscuit.’ Steven Spielberg is always on my nice list. I loved the ‘Shrek’ movies.
“4. Dear advertising executives: Stop using me to sell things that no one uses. We don’t need all this stuff. It’s getting in the way of our family time, our planet’s well-being, our faith and our happiness.
“5. Dear parents: Please stop telling children I don’t exist, that I’m evil, and that it’s not necessary to be good all year because you will buy them what they want. Whatever happened to kindness? To being good just because it makes someone happy? Because it’s the right thing? I can tell you right now that there are quite a few kids, and several of you, who are getting coal in their stockings. It’s tough love, which is what you do when someone’s headed down the wrong road. It’s called parenting and I’ve got millions of your children to help raise. Hey, at least I’m not the government. Or the television. By the way, turn off all those electronic devices and spend time with your families. I know that there are plenty of you out there who would give your right arm to be able to do just that. I love children. And I love all of you too.
“6. Dear Dr. Phil: I’m happy just the way I am. Thank you.
“7. Dear PETA: You’re getting too extreme. My reindeer have better working conditions than in industrialized nations.
“8. Dear Rev. Jesse Jackson: When my elves have the victim consciousness, high teen pregnancy rate, high arrest rate, high drug use rate, and lack of education that your followers have, then I’ll consider emancipating them.
“9. Dear Coalition: God and I were here first. I’m immune from no-fly zones and I don’t play politics. I do however support the military.
“10. Dear Jesus Christ, YHVH, Allah, Buddha, Great Spirit, et al.: Keep up the good work.
“Love, Santa.
“P.S. from Mrs. Claus: Will women please stop trying to be a size 2?”
You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout…
Movie reviewer/screenwriter Kristin Johnson composes personalized poems, speeches, toasts, vows, and family memories. Visit http://www.poemsforyou.com to order your personalized memories. She is also co-author of the Midwest Book Review “enthusiastically recommended” pick Christmas Cookies Are For Giving: Stories, Recipes and Tips for Making Heartwarming Gifts (ISBN: 0-9723473-9-9). A downloadablemedia kit is available at our Web site, http://www.christmascookiesareforgiving.com, or e-mail the publisher (info@tyrpublishing.com) to receive a printed media kit and sample copy of the book. More articles available at http://www.bakingchristmascookies.com
Alcohol Abuse information, tips, recovery and treatment.
Now is the best time to start looking for a new job as opposed to waiting for January 1 to make a New Year’s resolution to start your job search.
I’ve seen people offered jobs on Christmas Eve and I’ve seen people get job offers on New Year’s Eve, too. It does happen.
Granted, you probably won’t see a new job nicely wrapped and under your tree on December 25 but the truth is that there a number of reasons why a Christmas job search can lead to a new job, especially if you have some time off during the holidays or if you work in a business that actually slows down during the holidays.
1. Companies that still have hiring budget will hire people before year end.
If a hiring manager has budget to hire a new staff member but has waited until the last minute to do so, they might try to hire that person before the end of the year when their budget for this year expires. If they don’t make the hire by December 31, they could lose out on that budget money! If a company is planning for a big New Year, they might try to end this year by getting their ducks in a row so to speak by ensuring they have the proper staff in place this year rather than waiting until the new year. Don’t assume everyone takes December off or that they don’t have time to hire during this month. People hire staff during December, trust me.
2. Beat out the lazy people who give up early.
Let’s face it, it’s not difficult to start winding down for the year on December 1 and feel like “the year is already over.” How many people do you know who spend more of their workdays Christmas shopping during the month of December than doing actual work? Some people start looking at the New Year before the current year is over and you can use this to your advantage. Don’t believe for a second that all employers think like this, and that “you can’t get a job during December.” This is a myth and it’s not true. As mentioned above, I’ve seen job offers extended on Christmas Eve before people take a few days off for Christmas
and I’ve also seen job offers extended on New Year’s Eve before people go away to celebrate the New Year. Personally, the latest I’ve received a job offer for one of my candidates was December 22. What a great way for that candidate (and me!) to end the year.
3. Use the Christmas holidays to take the next step in your career.
Hopefully, you are one of those people who constantly updates your resume so that you can quickly apply for jobs that arise without having to create one from scratch and risk missing the application cutoff date. The Christmas holidays are great but once the “big day” on December 25th has passed, many people get kind of bored after a few days off work especially if you’re experiencing a White Christmas with lots of snow and ice outside and you waited too late to book the New Year’s cruise to the Caribbean. Use this downtime to at least prepare for your job search if not actually applying for jobs that you see advertised.
The month of December is a great time to look for a new job and a better time to actually get one. Not everyone celebrates Christmas and not everyone can afford to take the month of December off so don’t assume you can’t get a new job during this month.
The only reason why you can’t get a new job during December is if you don’t try to get one during December.
Let other people make a New Year’s resolution to find a job next year. If you realize that a Christmas job search can pay big dividends now, you’ll beat out people who aren’t as motivated and smart as you are.
Carl Mueller is an Internet entrepreneur and professional recruiter. Carl has helped many job searchers find their dream career and would like to help clear up some of the job search myths that exist while helping job searchers avoid common job search mistakes that cost them jobs.
Visit Carl’s website to find your dream career: http://www.find-your-dream-career.com
Ezine editors/Webmasters: Please feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your website. Please don’t change any of the content and please ensure that you include the above bio that shows my website URL.
Children especially feel the holiday stress. They see the presents but they can’t open them. Older children may be wondering if there really is a Santa. Very young children are frustrated because they cannot touch the tree or the beautiful decorations.
Stress builds up at work as you try to get a little ahead because you know that you are taking time off even if it is only one day.
Is there any Holiday Stress that is more depressing than money? Charging on credit cards leads to intense debt. Don’t forget, credit card companies will be raising the minimum payment from 2% to 4% of the balance at the first of the year. Your current minimum payment will be far higher next year than it is now.
If you are trying to stay on a cash budget, you still feel the holiday stress of not being able to get everyone what they really want. Especially children – you want them to have every thing they have asked Santa for and the older the children get – the more expensive the presents become.
Defeat Holiday Stress by spending more time with family building memories.
One of my favorite memories is
a build a snowman project for my daughter on a visit to grandma. The snowmen were made out of marshmallows that had to be slightly melted and stuck together. Everything went wrong and we ended up laughing hysterically. Today – 25 years later – Mother is gone but my daughter and I still laugh until there are tears in our eyes whenever we talk about those droopy falling-down snowmen. And it has inspired us to set up projects for her children – which inevitably do not go quite as planned. Oh the laughter and the memories we are building.
So to defeat holiday stress make it your goal to turn every stressful situation into something to laugh about. Make up funny stories about the people caught in the same traffic jam that you are. If you burn something on the stove – embellish it with a colorful name such as blackened holiday chicken. Encourage your family and friends to laugh.
For more tips on beating holiday stress from Sharon Owen at Answers For Your Health just check out Holiday Stress.You will find 16 tips to make this a Happy Stressfree Holiday.