Surviving the Holiday Aftermath

We all know the holiday season is a busy time of the year. After all of the planning, the preparation, the travel and the activities, we are worn out when the celebrating is done. I want to give you a few tips to help you undo the holiday chaos so you can have a smooth transition to 2012.

1. Storing the Decorations -- Keeping your holiday items neat, tidy and organized saves you time and energy when the season rolls around again. Use sturdy plastic bins which you can find at the local hardware and home improvement stores. Perfect for decorations, greenery and lights. To avoid the Griswold-style knot, roll a section of newspaper into a cylinder and wrap the lights around. Start with the male end, keeping it accessible to test the strand next year. Look for specialized boxes for ornaments that are tiered and sectioned. I use coffee filters to protect breakable or glittered ornaments. Don't forget to label!

2. Taking Down the Tree -- For a fresh tree, get a plastic tarp or an old sheet. With someone's help, remove the tree from its stand and lay it down on the tarp or sheet. Wrap the material around the tree carry/drag the tree outside. This will minimize the messy needle drop and sap transfer. For tree removal dates and information, go to LessIsMore.org (a great SB recycling resource), click on the "Yard Waste" tab and scroll down to "Christmas Trees" and you'll find all the information you need for pickup or disposal. If you have an artificial tree, you can purchase heavy duty storage bags to accommodate the tree's sections.

3. Disposing Gift and Shipping Boxes -- Usually both of these types of boxes are cluttering up your home and storage spaces after the holidays. Yes, it's great to reuse them, but we don't always have a place to store them. You can bring shipping and packaging materials that are in reusable condition to local shipping businesses (boxes broken down, peanuts bagged). If boxes are torn or destroyed, stop by one of the recycling outposts at:

a. South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station-4430 Calle Real
b. MarBorg Industries -119 North Quarantina Street
c. MarBorg Industries' Recycling / ABOP Center-725 Cacique Street

*If you don't live in Santa Barbara, do an internet search for cardboard recycling and Christmas tree disposal in your city.

4. Making Space - With the holidays, I'm sure you and your family are bringing some new goodies into your home so create some space by getting rid of the old. Don't overwhelm yourself and think you need to do an organizing overhaul just yet (unless you really need one!), but take away the old and unused toys, the games no one plays, the movies no one watches, the clothes you never wear. Go for a 1:1 ratio - one new sweater in the closet, one sweater out. And there are many local charities that would be more than happy to take those items off your hands.

5. Say, "Thank You!" - Remember when your mom would make you sit there and right thank you notes? It's a habit that has become less and less popular over the years with our busy schedules and reliance on email, but this year, take the time to show people your gratitude. In writing. Yes; actually hand-written. Thank people for gifts, for opening up their homes, for giving their time or just tell them how nice it was to talk or reconnect. Buy the cards and stamps early and set a goal of "x" per day so they are all sent by January 10th. You can even pre-address one the evening of a party so you can write the hostess the next morning. Another idea is to reuse sections of wrapping paper or gift bags. Cut out a piece, fold it in half, pop it in an envelope and voila!, instant, personalized and green thank you notes.

I wish you a very happy and organized holiday season!

Keri Dickerson is a professional organizer and owner of KMD Organizing, working with busy women in the Santa Barbara area. http://www.kmdorganizing.com/

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Make the Most of Time With Your Family

I am lucky to have so many comforting memories of my young years. When my brother and I were youngsters, we used to chase our little dog around our backyard. When we were a little older Mum and Dad would take us to the beach for swimming lessons and then to the kiosk for ice-cream on the way home. Later on as teens, we would spend time with the other neighborhood teenagers, riding our bicycles in the street until it got dark. More time goes by, we grow up, and then move away. Even though you love your parents and that will never change, it is easy for families to grow away from each other. It is this time of the year-holiday season-when we are reminded just how important it is not to take our family for granted.

Let Family Know You Appreciate Them

Showing appreciation of family members is so important, but sadly it is not always an easy thing to do. I never had an openly loving relationship with my father, for example. We're tough guys and sharing your feelings isn't the norm. Don't get me wrong, we know we love each other but it is unspoken. He had the same relationship with his father and never let him know that he loved him until it was too late. Because of this, I made certain to take on the responsibility of making sure things didn't end up the same way between my dad and me. Now, awkwardly, we share the "I love you son; I love you dad" moment. Still not perfect, but it is a work in progress. My partner's family is the polar opposite. When you come to dinner you get a hug upon arrival, and you get more hugs when you leave. It does make me a bit jealous sometimes, but it does give me something to try for.

Set Your Life Priorities

Look at life this way. If you died tomorrow, your coworkers would mourn you briefly but it is a guarantee you would be replaced and the office would go on without you. On the other hand, the family you leave behind will live with the loss for the rest of their lives. They will celebrate you often and they will never forget you. Now consider how much time you spend at work compared to the time you spend with your family. The level of importance should be very clear regarding time spent with loved ones, especially during the holidays. My mother and my aunt organise a massive family get-together each and every year during the holidays. My father's siblings consist of eight sisters and brothers. Each of them have at a minimum two kids of their own, grown now and some of those also have children! It is loud and busy and chaotic...but I wouldn't have it any other way. It is the best way I can think of to spend the holidays.

Make Time for Family

Make every endeavor to see your family. If it has been awhile, then take the first step; invite your family over for a nice dinner. Try to initiate get-togethers on a regular basis. If you live far from your family, give them a call on the telephone. You can rest assured they would love to hear from you. Reminisce together and let your family know how dear those memories are to you. Send them a letter or even an email if you are time poor. I am always getting spam emails from my mother, the kind of humorous junk emails that are so annoying and bothersome if they were to come from anyone else. She has a hidden agenda, I believe, conscious or not, to avoid being forgotten. She uses her joke emails as a reminder that she is still around and sure enough, we get a great dialogue going and we both feel better for it.

Every family has its good and bad times; there simply is no such thing as a perfect family. But it is the only one that you have and they will always be there for you. Try not to fight, the time we have together is limited. Never leave it until too late to show your appreciation and let your loved ones know you are thinking of them.

We have all been in a rut, locked in a pattern of circumstances that we can't seem to get out of. Sometimes, those circumstances change by themselves, but more often we need to take action to ensure that we don't become stuck in a rut. We aim to help you get out of a rut knowing they can affect any facet of life.

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Planning for the Holidays - Food Gift Baskets for the Season

Are you hearing the holiday songs or seeing the Christmas decorations being put up in the fall? You would think it's too soon but from the point of the view of retailers, it's important to get people into a spending mode as soon as possible. Not unexpected is the stress that comes when seeing the décor because it means having to shop and plan for the holidays - all of which means spending hard-earned money or scraping the bottom of the credit card barrel. That is, unless you opt for the food gift basket this year.

You need a plan on how to enjoy the holidays without the stress. You need a good gift plan like the food gift basket so you don't have to worry about every Tom, Dick, Jane, and Harry in your life. All you need are two items: a food gift basket idea for adults and toys for youngsters. Nothing could be easier if the food gift basket you decide to create can be given to any age, race, gender, or income level.

Here are more tips to help you out:

1. This may sound stingy and not really nice, but put an amount beside every person's name on your food gift basket list. You could make it a range but a definitive figure would be better. This number will represent how much you are willing to spend on each person.

2. Withdraw the amount in cash (try not to use credit cards this year) and set it aside.

3. For planning your food gift baskets, go the supermarket or mall only to get food ideas for your gift basket. You do not have to buy the items right away.

4. Go online and start looking for suppliers and bulk sellers or resellers of the food items you want to buy. You could get a wholesale price on the items if you buy by volume.

5. Look for volume order for wrappings and bows so you can save money on assembling your food gift basket yourself instead of hiring someone to do it for you. However, if you like the professional feel, find a supplier who can work around your budget.

With your gift list and food gift basket plans out of the way, turn an eye to holiday greeting cards and decorations. Don't be carried away by trying to have a home straight out of a magazine; instead, consider recycling your old décor or making your own holiday crafts.any way to avoid buying decorations. The money you save can be used for other essentials like adding to your food gift basket or buying food for your dinner table. You could go over new magazines or even pour through old ones. There are many ideas you can pick up from magazines - especially the magazines women read.

The last item on your stressless holiday agenda would be to plan the menu and even arrange for a potluck family dinner. Ask everyone to bring their specialty dish but make sure there are no double-ups. This means arranging it so only one brings the poultry, another the veggies and several others for desserts. Heck, you could even tell everyone to make one food gift basket for the dinner table but with a ceiling price that everyone can afford. That would be exciting because if your family is even slightly competitive, it's a race to look good on a budget.

Finally, after all the plans and food gift basket plans have been decided on, make sure to get some time off to relax. Have a massage or manicure and just let the spa therapist weave her magic around your stressed muscles.

Give the gift of yumminess, http://www.bienfaitcakes.com/. Baking and sending all-natural, hand-crafted, high-quality specialty cakes and corporate gifts helping you strengthen relationships, show care and appreciation, bring happiness, create good will and foster trust and loyalty. Find a delicious gift for clients, friends, family, soldiers or anyone on your list.

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Tips to Keep Your Sanity Up During the Holidays

Christmas is about love and giving, no doubt about it. But this season of giving can also be stressful: endless shopping for gifts, traffic, parties all night long, and the list of activities keep on growing including some unavoidable petty debates. These and more are nerve-racking. Here are some practical tips to keep your sanity up especially during the Christmas holidays.

Hunting for that perfect gift

You don't have to swim across the wave of late Christmas shoppers. There is a way to get that perfect gift without leaving your home. Online shopping is now the trend. With lots of choices to choose from, it's as if you are in front of the actual gift shop. However, the spree of online hoax will keep you at bay. Just remember not to divulge your personal information unless you are sure of the sites credibility. And besides, you can use PayPal. It's safe and easy.

All night party

Enjoy the party, but this doesn't mean you have to end it till the wee hours of the morning. You have to set your limit. To enjoy is not to overdo it. Inform the celebrant or the host that you are only good for a certain time. Just consider the most important part of the Christmas party - it's the sharing of gifts, messages and yes, the meal time: you don't want to go home with an empty stomach.

Keeping the debates at bay

There are some instances where debates, petty quarrel, and misunderstanding get messy. Much as you love Christmas, you got to love your neighbor. Petty or not, misunderstandings can be avoided if you are only aware of what will come out if you can't keep your cool. In a brawl there are no winners. All are losers. Take note, hurting someone is not a good idea.

Heavy Traffic

Traffic issues have always been a part of the Christmas season. If you find it annoying, you don't have to brave the traffic just for gifts. As part of your commitment to making your life enjoyable before and after Christmas, you have to enjoy the heavy traffic, consider the heat as natural "vitamin" and do not forget to show that million dollar smile.

Why skip your meals because of heavy traffic when online stores are open 24/7? Look for the stores' catalog pages. In there are wide variety of gifts. All you have to do is search for that perfect gift (highly recommended are gifts packed in hampers) and you are done with your shopping right in the comfort of your home.

Bradfords is an online gift shop where wide choices of Christmas gift hampers and food hampers are made organically and toxin-free.

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Three Useful Tips in Buying Gifts for Mom

Do you already have a gift to give this Christmas to your mommy dearest? Well good if you do but let us admit it, there are people who are not good or who are not comfortable in shopping for gifts. Well, I can say that I am one of these people during my teens. I really abhor buying gifts whether for my mom, my friends or even for my special someone. I just feel uncomfortable because I was afraid that they would not love my gift. Another scary thought that I used to have when it comes to buying a present was that I give something similar to other people. One time, I bought this cute bag for my friend's 18th birthday and what happened was someone also bought the exact bag for her. That was totally embarrassing, however that made me want to be better in giving gifts. I became more observant and sensitive so I can buy a perfect gift for family, friends or just mere acquaintances.

Last week, my boyfriend asked me for some tips in buying a gift for his mom and yesterday he called and was very thankful because his mom loved his gift so much. With this, I decided to share with all of you some of the tips that I told my boyfriend. This is very timely since Christmas is just around the corner and you might want to start buying Christmas presents for mom. So here are the tips that I am talking about:

1. See what are the things your mom needs - it should be on top of your list to buy what your mom needs. This might be tricky and could require you to be more observant so pay close attention. You should see if your mom needs new shoes, bags, cooking tools or maybe a new watch to replace her old one. Sometimes you will just hear your mom "oh this watch is ready to retire" "I think I need new pair of shoes" or there are times wherein you do not need to hear it but you will notice it. When you find this information then you will be able to give one of the best if not the best gift for mom.

2. Consider her hobbies and interests - you will be in a right direction if you consider the hobbies and interests of your mom. For example, your mom is into cooking then it would be ideal if you will think of gifts that are related in cooking. You can buy her kitchenware, some cookbooks or kitchen appliances. It is really effective to buy gifts that are related to your mom's interests and hobbies because for sure she will love it no matter what.

3. Make it personalized - if you are afraid that you might buy a gift that your mom already has then why not create a personalized gift item. This is a sure way that you will give unique and special gift for your mom. Giving a personalized gift item is also a way that will make your mom feel more special.

You should try to follow these tips in buying Christmas gift for mom and see how happy she will be with your gift.

I am Jennifer Green, mother of two cute boys, daughter of a loving mother. I enjoy buying gifts for my mom since I was 14 years old. I find it really fulfilling to be able to make her smile. Now that I am already a mother, I believe I understand more how to pick and buy gifts for a mom. With this, I started a website http://newmomsgift.com/, hoping to be able to help people out there to pick gifts for new moms, Christmas presents for mom and anything for her. I hope to be able to share this passion with all of you and of course, I wish to help you come up with best gift ideas for mom.

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The Simplest Gifts Can Mean the Most

Sometimes the best gifts come with the smallest price tag.

One of my favorite Christmas memories dates back more than fifty years. Filled with six year old wonder and excitement, I raced down the steps into the living room, graced with a sparkling Christmas tree. What did Santa Claus bring me? I was six years old and not yet savy enough to drop my innocent belief in Sant Claus. At last, the long awaited day had arrived. With great anticipation, I spun down our spiral staircase and laid eyes on the most beautiful sight.

When I looked under the tree, my eyes bristled with the sight of a small red wagon. It was the most beautiful toy in the world. My tiny heart leapt with happiness as I yanked it out from under the tree and carted it around the house. Over the years this little wonder toted cats, dogs, dolls, and a thousand other child treasures. It was a tiny taxi service to anything it could hold. Would Christmas wonders never cease?

Nine years later, it was due for a change. My small prize had grown old. The red hue had rusted over and a new paint job awaited. Every one of my green paint strokes was gifted with all the love I could muster for my faithful friend after all those years of service.

In a matter of a few seconds my mother shattered my new toy dreams. It seems that in an effort to save money, my parents took my brother's green wagon and painted it red. It was now going full cycle.

I felt a vague sense of disappointment when she told me this. Years later I would wonder how many toys my brother put in that wagon.

My parents were poor. My father was a milk man and my mother had yet to begin working at the Webster Groves Schnuck's store as a checker, a job she held for twenty five years. Money was scarce. So my Christmas gift from them was a hand me down. Growing up in that family had its share of challenges. Whenever I think of my father's drinking, my mind goes back to that brightly colored wonder and the seeds of forgiveness continue to ripen.

Even if it wasn't new, it reflected my parents' desire to give me a happy Christmas.

Parents, what can you give your children that they will treasure for life?

Merry Christmas to all!

I'm Barbara Altman
Raised in an alcoholic home, I became depressed and riddled with anxiety at an early age. In an effort to build a good life, I turned to my love of classical music for comfort, financial resources, and a place in the community. Over the years, I have dealt with depression in a variety of ways, from counseling to alternative and traditional healing modalities. One of the purposes in my life is to convey hope to those who have suffered from depression and I hope to do this in my writings and in speaking engagements.

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Mother's Day 2012: The History

She's honoured in many countries around the globe. She's a nurturer and peace maker by definition. She's the female who gave life to you...That's right, your dear 'ole Mum.

Every mother, the world over, deserves to be pampered every so often. What better opportunity to do so than Mothers Day? Mother's Day 2012 falls on Sunday March 18th this year. It's time to show Mum just how much she means to you. But what are all the chocolates, flowers, cards and so forth, all about?

Well, it's all down to two women, one named Julia Ward Howe - an abolitionist best remembered as the poet who wrote 'Battle Hymn of the Republic' - the other named Anna Jarvis, daughter of activist and social worker, Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis.

But believe it or not, UK Mothers Day is a relatively new phenomenon - it's only just over a hundred years old!

In 1870, Julia Ward Howe worked to launch a Mother's Peace Day. She became so troubled by the bloody battles of the Civil War that she called on mothers to come together in unison to make an objection about the ridiculousness of their sons killing each other.

What's more, in 1870, she even created an appeal to women urging them to protest against the war in her world-famous 'Mother's Day Proclamation':

"Arise, then, women of this day!

Arise all women who have hearts...

Let them then solemnly take counsel

With each other as to the means

Whereby the great human family can live in peace...

In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask

That a general congress of women without limit of nationality

May be appointed...

To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,

The amicable settlement of international questions.

The great and general interests of peace."

Howe proposed the official idea of this day in 1872, which would be dedicated to peace and worldwide harmony between all women.

A dutiful daughter, Anna Jarvis never forgot her Mum's dream of having Mother's Day, and when her mother passed away in 1905, she decided to make her mother's wish come true.

Initially, Anna distributed 500 white carnations, her mother's favourite flower, at her mother's Church in Grafton, West Virginia, one for each mother in the congregation. She believed they symbolised a mother's pure love.

In 1907, Jarvis began to campaign to have Mother's Day officially recognised. It wasn't until 1914 that her wish was granted by President Woodrow Wilson, who proclaimed it a national holiday and a "public expression of our love and reverence for all mothers."

However, Mothers Day 2012 bears little resemblance to Howe's original idea. Nowadays, it's all about Mothers Day gifts, cards and lavish meals at restaurants. There's nothing wrong with this at all, but the original idea behind this day lies in the heartfelt words of the proclamation Howe wrote in 1870.

This year, bear in mind the lengths these revolutionary women went to in order to establish this official day and why they did it. Their willpower drove them to fight for the recognition mothers deserve.

So you've heard the history behind Mother s Day, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to plan something special for your beloved Mum this year.

Mother's Day falls on Sunday March 18th this year. Strapped for ideas? Fear not. GoneDigging has come to your rescue. Have a gander through our personalised Mothers Day gifts. There are heaps up for grabs. Our fave has to be our brand-spanking-new Pamper Hampers with Rosé wine - ooh la la! Melt Mum's heart on March 18th with unique Mothers Day gifts from GoneDigging.

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