l is calm...
keeping the holidays simple but meaningful
by Grandparents.com
Senior Editor, Deborah Long
you will make a donation to the charity of
his or her choice. Tell them they’ll need
to research the charity online and explain
to you what it does and why the mission is
important to them. If multiple donations
aren’t in the budget, then ask each family
member to recommend a charity, and then
vote on where the money will go this year.
Younger children might enjoy sponsoring an animal at a shelter or rescue facility.
Some facilities provide adoption photos
and online updates, too.
4. Choose clutter-free gifts. Giving thoughtful gifts to remind folks how much we love
them can be a beautiful part of the season.
Think “outside the box,” literally and figuratively. A handmade item—whether it’s a
knitted scarf, homemade truffles, a framed
photo, or a recording of a favorite story—
can be used and cherished. And experiential gifts, like a trip or lessons, won’t take
up space and will open the recipient’s heart
and mind.
5. Clear the calendar for fun. Carve out
some time for family togetherness and
spend it making memories. This is the
most valuable gift you can give one another. Baking and decorating cookies together
is a favorite holiday tradition for many
families. But you might also try making
your own gift wrap, using newspaper or
brown paper bags and whatever art supplies you have on hand. Or snuggle in
with popcorn and a stack of holiday movies on DVD. The important thing is that
everyone is sharing the experience.
Deborah Long is a Senior Editor at Grandparents.com. Her best advice from a grandparent?
“Books are your friends! They can take you
places you couldn’t get to any other way and
introduce you to people you couldn’t otherwise
meet, so treat them with respect!”
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