Many of you are opening up the holiday decorations, unpacking boxes and bins and joining in festivities with lights, wreaths, Christmas tree ornaments and those special holiday decorations that live on the mantel. Problem is, every year there are a few more to add to the mix. Can anyone remember how to get them all back in the box? Packing up those boxes in January can be worse than that 1,000 piece puzzle at the cottage, full of sky and water, that no one has ever finished.
Taking a picture before everything comes out of the box can be helpful. Take a quick photo, print and tape to the top of the box. Letter the photo be the memory. Now you can enjoy the festivities.
Archive for Holidays
This holiday weekend you may be looking to get outside to enjoy some summer sunshine. Consider organizing a picnic to share with a loved one, family or friends.
First, choose your location. It may be in a park, on the beach, or even in your backyard. I’m planning our picnic at a favourite spot, next to the sights and sounds of moving water.
Packing for your picnic will depend on how you will arrive, whether by hiking, biking or driving. Utilize a traditional picnic basket (though any basket will do), a box, backpack and/or cooler to pack food and picnic accessories.
Your picnic essentials may include:
1. A blanket. Consider the size needed to accommodate your guests comfortably or so that you may be able to lie down on it, if desired. Look for something water resistant to keep everyone dry if the ground is damp.
2. Plates, cutlery, and cups. It’s preferable to bring reusable dishware along. Pack them into re-sealable bags or lidded containers to transport the dirty items home.
3. Napkins. They’re always good for quick clean ups too.
4. Cool beverages. On hot summer days it’s important to stay hydrated. So bring extra! Try freezing some of your water or drink in bottles, using them as freezer packs to keep food fresh until you arrive. As they slowly melt drinks will stay cold and refreshing throughout the day.
5. Classic picnic foods. Think about finger foods when preparing your menu. I like to keep it simple. I prepare a selection of pre-cut bread, meats, cheeses, and pre-grilled vegetables to allow my guests to make their own sandwiches. Fresh fruit is always on hand for healthy snacking. Watermelon is the classic choice. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to picnic foods. Tailor your menu to suit the guest list, bring your favourite dishes and enjoy!
#6 Volunteer at a Food Bank – For many people this is a season of giving and yet many more have little to give. If you have often wanted to volunteer at your local food bank, consider giving them a call and slotting in over the holidays.
# 5 Decorate a Gingerbread House with your children – No children? Why not buy a kit and invite your nieces/nephews or the neighbours to come and help you decorate it.
Welcome to the Winter Solstice. Happy First Day of Winter. Now the days in the northern hemisphere get longer – yeah! Sorry to the folks down under who will now start to get less daylight each day.
To our friends honouring their Jewish faith, Happy Hanukkuh.
#14 Gift Wrapping – Maybe you like wrapping gifts at the last minute and scrambling at the 11th hour. On the other hand, maybe you wish you could have all your holiday gifts wrapped and waiting for their recipients while you relax and calmly enjoy your friends, family and holiday festivities.
If you fall into the first group of people you are reading this blog because you think I’m an outstanding writer and due for an award. I’m guessing that’s not the case for most of you and you really would like to get a grip on the season.
OK – Book a date in your calendar to wrap presents. Now book a second date. It always takes way longer than you think. Check that you have a copy of your favourite movies to watch or music to listen to while you wrap. Pull out all your wrapping supplies, gift tags and ribbons. Is there enough? Replenish only if necessary. Get ready for that calm enjoyment of the season.
The countdown continues. Hope you’re still with us! Only 2 more weeks ’til Christmas:
#16 Empty your Gift Cache – Many people purchase gifts year round and keep a cache of them in their home. This is an excellent idea if you have the money to tie up in a gift cache and the space to store it. If you have neither, this is not an idea for you. One of the challenges of such a cache is remembering what’s in it and remembering to shop at your own cache store before shopping retail again. If you store your cache in a box in a cupboard, this might be the time to lay it out and use up some of the contents. If you don’t need to worry about little eyes (or big ones) searching for Santa’s stash try laying out the gifts on a shelf or book case. Then reviewing and using up the items is litereally like going shopping in your own home.
#15 Gather up Friends who will be Alone this Holiday Season – Not all of us have a home full of family or friends and a calendar full of Christmas dinners to attend. The reality is that many people or new to their neighbourhood or city, can’t afford to go home, live alone and may be alone during the holidays. Whether or not you are one of this group, why not gather of a few friends who are and start your own tradition of a Christmas or holiday dinner with them.
I first published this tip 11 months ago. As I see more and more pre-Hallowe’en evidence of the holiday season blasting forward about as fast as the stock market is falling downward, I decided it wasn’t too early to republish. This 2nd edition focuses on the simplification of the consumable gift and less expensive options.
Once again, let’s redefine the word consumable. The Encarta Dictionary defines consumable goods as “goods that have to be bought regularly because they wear out or are used up, such as food and clothing”. For the purposes of gift-giving, I have defined the word as follows:
A consumable gift is one which by its inherent nature has a best before date or natural expiry date, wears out or is used up and permits the recipient an opportunity to enjoy for a limited time and then dispose of, without guilt.
If this is a definition that appeals to you for individuals on your gift list, here are some suggestions to get your shopping started.
- Baskets of food, home made preserves, including perhaps candles and some decorative paper napkins related to a a personal interest or characteristic of the recipient e.g. gardener!
- A tribute donation to a charity which is already supported by the recipient or otherwise meaningful to them e.g. The Toronto Humane Society, The Cancer Society.
- A sponsorship donation to a charity which has designed annual sponsorship or gift campaigns e.g. The Toronto Zoo has set up an animal adoption program. In the adoption package you receive a picture and information about your animal. World Vision has a gift catalogue from which you can pick an item that can be supported by your donation e.g. 2 rabbits to a family ($35), a harvest pack for 4 families ($35), a backpack with school supplies for a child ($25), help a family start a business ($100) or fill up a whole stable ($1200). My daughter (13) and son (6) love this catalogue and had fun doing the “shopping” for me for their cousins in Hong Kong and Italy, some neighbours and friends.
- Gift certificates especially for a clothing store or movie passes. These gifts are great for the teenagers on your list. How about IKEA so your niece can redecorate her room? A manicure for your workaholic sister? Then book the appointment and enjoy together!
- Candles, decorative paper napkins, coffee
- Prepackage the dry ingredients for your favourite muffin recipe in a jar and include the recipe on the label.
- Offer to babysit your sister’s children for a day so that she and her husband can take a day out together.
- A music lesson for someone who always wanted to play the ______(you fill in the instrument).
You get the idea. Now let your imagination have some fun and enjoy the shopping experience knowing that you are helping to keep clutter at bay in someone else’s life.
