Christmas

Dec

2021

Letting Go This Christmas Season

Reading Time: 3 minutes

It’s Christmas once again. Colorful lights can be seen around. There are Christmas parties everywhere. Many people are busy buying and giving Christmas presents. With consumerism at its highest peak, how can we still truly enjoy the spirit of Christmas? Although Christmas is all about giving, it is not so much about the presents but rather the meaning behind the presents. It is more than just the festivities, parties and the reunions. Instead, it is all about family and togetherness. However, being together with loved ones is not enough. Because Christmas is not just a season but a state of mind. It is a chance to be at peace with oneself and others. That’s why it is important to be letting go this Christmas Season. Only by letting go will we be able to truly appreciate and enjoy the true spirit of Christmas.

What do we need to let go?

1.Expectations

What gifts are you expecting to receive this Christmas? Are you waiting for someone? Are you looking forward to the Christmas festivities? You will have a very joyous Christmas if all your expectations are met. But, what if it does not? Will you let it spoil your holidays?

You see, expectations differ from one person to another. Your expectations are different from the other person. Chances are, your ideal perfect holiday experience or gift is different from your loved ones. For one, all of us have different love languages. It is not someone else’s fault that your expectations are not met. It’s not their problem. It’s yours. You just have to learn to deal with it. Second, accept the fact that we cannot control others. The only thing that we can control is how we react to certain situations. Understand this and learn to take hold of your emotions.

2.Grudges

Somebody criticized you. Your partner left you or maybe you have had a traumatic experience. These wounds can be very painful and can stay for a long time. However, if you won’t learn to forgive; you will only succeed in hurting yourself. The other person may simply not care or may not be even aware that you have been hurt by their actions. The peace of mind that you have been longing for can only be possible by letting go because forgiveness can lead to emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. You are doing it for yourself not for others. Just remember that forgiveness does not necessarily mean forgetting or reconciliation with the person that harmed you. It only means moving on with your life.

3. Past

Past is past. Period. There is nothing that we can do to undo it. The only thing that we can do is to learn from it. In this way, you can avoid repeating the same mistake in the future. Holding on to our past can only hold us back. Healing can only come if we let go of the past.

4.Unnecessary Spending

The Christmas season is not a ticket to splurge, especially if you cannot afford something. Do not put yourself in credit card debt just because it is Christmas. Learn to stick to your budget. That reward to yourself can be given anytime. It does not have to be Christmas. Practice delayed gratification. And don’t try to impress others with extravagant gifts. You can’t buy love.

5. Worries

Yes, all of us have problems. But nothing will come out of it if we continue worrying about them. No one knows what the future will bring. We just have to have faith and belief in ourselves.

Spend this holiday season with people that are dear to you. Let go of all those things that are weighing you down. Practice letting go this Christmas season.

Have a happy and blessed Christmas everyone!

Feature Photo by Nicole Michalou from Pexels

Dec

2021

Gifts To A Better Life

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Everyone wants to have a better life. This holiday season, why not give something that will improve the life of the recipient? Here are some ideas of gifts to a better life:

Health & Wellness

1.Gratitude Notebook

A gratitude journal is actually a diary of all the things that you are grateful for. Gifting someone a gratitude journal is a way of telling them that you care for them and that you want them to focus on all the positive things in their life.

2.Plants

Plants represent life. They give us oxygen and lighten up the space. Plants help us relax. Gifting a plant to someone means you care about them and you care about their health and overall wellness. Unlike other gifts, plants do not expire. They can last for a long time as long as the receiver cares for them and nurtures them.

3. Reusable Water Bottle

About 60% of the human body is water. That is why health experts recommend drinking at least eight 8-ounces of water each day. Unfortunately, especially when we are on the go, we forget to drink at least the minimum glasses required a day. True, there are bottled waters available for purchase everywhere. However, carrying reusable water bottles is much better not just for the environment but for the individual as well. Not only is it cheaper but it is also free from harmful chemicals that are present in plastics.

4. Scented Candles

Scented candles play an essential role in our mood, stress levels and overall mental health. The soothing effect of candles stimulates our brain and helps release happy hormones such as serotonin and dopamine. Thus, it is effective in reducing stress levels.

5. Teas

Teas has always been a part of traditional Eastern medicine. This is supported by numerous studies which have shown that regularly drinking tea is advantageous to a person’s health and overall wellness. Health benefits vary depending on the type of tea. There are many varieties of teas to choose from depending on taste preferences and needs. In fact, the benefits go beyond treating seasonal colds and flu. Drinking tea can actually help with the following:

Boost Energy and the Immune System
Fight and Prevent certain Types of Cancer
Reduce Weight
Improves Heart and Mental Health
Aids Digestion
Regulates Blood Sugar

Success & Happiness

1. Books

Reading is important for growth and development. It helps shape our thought processes, beliefs and mindset. Books also inspire us to dream and do better in life. They open our mind to a world of imagination and see endless possibilities that we never knew were possible in the first place. Furthermore, reading is also good for our health. It improves memory, brain functioning and fosters concentration. It also helps the reader grow as a person for reading helps increase our knowledge and vocabulary.

2.Experience Gifts / Activity Vouchers

Gift your loved ones a unique, memorable and impactful gift. Bring them somewhere new, fun and exciting. Create memories together. Add layers of excitement that can lead to deeper feelings of happiness. It can be a trip to a theme park, watch a play or even a picnic at the park. You can also learn something new together like a cooking class or art class. You can also opt for an activity voucher so the receiver can enjoy the activity with a loved one.

3. Framed Memento

If you have shared something special together, you can frame a photo or souvenir. In this way that person will be reminded of special moments. The memento can also be related to something important or milestones in life. The framed ‘accomplishments’ can serve as a reminder to never give up and believe in one’s self. Good things will come.

4. Planner

Every successful person keeps a planner. Why? For one, a planner is crucial for effective time management. It helps prioritize tasks and it enhances productivity. In addition, It helps lessen stress because it helps maintain effective schedules. Thus, a person who keeps a planner is not overwhelmed by so many things to do because a planner helps plan, sort out and deal with important tasks first. This in turn helps lower panic and anxiety of failing to meet obligations. A bonus benefit is a planner can serve as a record of appointments, notes and tasks accomplished.

5. Storage Organizer

An organizer helps boost creativity. It saves you time. Imagine the frustration of looking for missing items amidst a busy day? Having a storage organizer can help prevent that. It can also keep your space clean and organized. This is also good for your health and mental well-being because a cluttered environment leads to stress. A storage organizer can help remove or reduce clutter.

Feature Image by Pexels

Dec

2021

Christmas Gift Ideas for Less

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Need Christmas gift ideas for less? Just a short time before Christmas day is upon us. If you’re still not done with your gift list, you might be stressing out. But all is not lost yet. There are still some gifts that you can make for your loved ones and friends without having to splurge. Some of them you can make at home too.

Your gift doesn’t have to be expensive for it to be appreciated. Personalized gifts are always much appreciated. It gives the gift a sentimental value that commercial items cannot convey no matter how pricey. Here are some gift ideas for less that you can create at home for your loved ones.

Recipe Jars

This is a nice gift for friends and loved ones who love their pancake, waffle or brownies. Just pick a recipe, measure all the dry ingredients and place them in layers into the glass jar. Try to alternate the ingredients in such a way that the colors make an interesting pattern.

Print out the recipe on sticker paper and paste unto the side of the jar. Or print it on cardboard paper and tie to the neck of the jar as a gift tag. You can also use this for chocolate drink mixes or coffee blends.

DIY Kits

Got a family member who loves drawing and coloring? Gather different coloring and drawing materials; a sketchpad, pencils, erasers, a ruler and sharpener. Put everything in a handy file folder that they can conveniently carry with them.

For a friend who loves making her own jewelry, gift them with more beads and trinkets for their jewelry-making collection. You can get them the special beads, or a tool that they’ve been wanting to buy; but just can’t get their hands on. This is one of the Christmas gift ideas for less that’s always appreciated by young students. They are the ones who are passionate about their hobby but can’t afford all the materials.

You can also gift friends with a kit for getting rid of negative energy in their homes and work places. This gift does not only benefit them personally but the people in their space too.

Personal Coupons

If you’re broke but really want to make the effort; then gift your family members and friends with your time and energy instead. This is one of the Christmas gift ideas for less that doesn’t even cost you anything.

Design your own personal coupon stating a service that you will offer for a certain duration of time. For example, you can give your mom several coupons for a neck and shoulder massage for 20 minutes. You can give your dad coupons for washing the car and so on. Give the gift of a memorable experience that you will all recall with a smile later on.

For friends, you can give coupons for accompanying them to shopping errands. They can then claim these coupons any time of the year. Make sure that you state in the terms and conditions that they have to schedule these events with you first.

Use Your Talents

If you’re good at crocheting or knitting; make a scarf, or a beanie, or a pair of mittens, for a good friend or loved one. If you’re good at sketching, drawing or painting, then gift one of your creations to a valued friend.

Got a talent for writing poems? Create one for a special friend and print or write by hand on special paper. It would be great to present this gift by reading it to them aloud. Preparing this kind of gift is a fun process too. Plus, the result can be a very memorable experience.

Are you good with a camera? Take candid photos of your friend, select the best ones and display in a special picture frame. You can also put these in a scrapbook. Label each photo to tell a story about your friendship. Or just showcase your friend’s endearing character or unique personality. You get the idea, so go ahead and start planning for your next creative gift.

Use Available Resources

If you’re not too confident about your talents yet; then the next best thing that you can do is to use your resources to create a personalized gift. Get on your computer and go online.

For a friend who loves their tunes, download them a collection of their favorite songs. Transfer to a USB so they can load it on their laptops and mobile phones. Got a friend or relative who is too busy to take care of putting together a business card? Get your design skills to work and gift them with a simple calling card. Now, they don’t have to write their contact details on a piece of paper whenever they meet clients.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

You know the saying that one man’s trash can be another man’s treasure? If you’ve got stuff just lying around and gathering dust; think of who these might be of more use to and give that item to that person as a gift. Not only will you reduce your clutter, you get to reuse stuff and recycle them for a purpose.

You might have a friend who’s been pining to have a jacket or bag just like what you have. If you’re planning to buy a new one anyway, why not give your old jacket or bag to this friend? You might have a friend who loves your sense of style. If you’ve got a top that you already have several iterations of; why not give away the one you don’t use most often to your friend?

Got an old lamp that you’ve never even used? Check if the bulb still works and replace if necessary. Give to a friend who has just moved into a new house; or who has been wanting to make-over their bedroom. This is another one of the Christmas gift ideas for less that will definitely be appreciated by the receiver.

Give with Love, Receive with Gratitude

These are just examples of what you can do with your skills and talents. Some creative thinking is needed to make a personalized gift that your loved ones and close friends can appreciate. But before rushing for supplies; set aside some time to do some writing. Make a list of what gifts you can create or find in your own home. Think of what gift would suit the tastes and personalities of certain friends and loved ones.

As a last note, some of your friends and relatives might be giving you these kinds of gifts too. Remember to be grateful and appreciative of all their efforts. After all, it’s the thought that counts. Bonus! You can add gift-planning to the list of things you can do for fun.

DIY gifts take time and effort. Because of this, they truly communicate your appreciation for the person you are giving them to. So go ahead and give these DIY gift ideas a try.

Updated. Republished 2020.12.03. First published on Pinoy Smart Living on 2018.12.17.
Featured Image: Original Photo by Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash.

Dec

2020

Celebrating Christmas

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Christmas is an annual Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ every December 25. For many, it is the most wonderful time of the year. But more than the Christmas parties, decorations, lights, gift-giving and festivities, Christmas is all about traditions. But did you know that there are also some unique ways on how other people celebrate this holiday season? Here are some fun facts in celebrating Christmas.

1.Christmas at KFC in Japan

Millions of people in Japan celebrate Christmas with a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. It all started way back in 1974 when KFC launched a marketing campaign called Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii. In English, it means Kentucky for Christmas. Getting a KFC dinner means placing your order weeks in advance otherwise, you will have to wait in line for hours just to get a bucket of KFC chicken.

2.Krampus Tradition in Austria

Krampus is a half-goat, half-demon beast-like creature which was created as a counterpart to St. Nicholas. For Catholics, St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children and magical gift-bringer. He is more commonly known as Santa Claus around the world. Santa rewards nice children with gifts during Christmas. Krampus on the other hand, beats children into being nice.

Krampus appears the night before the feast of St. Nicholas. Men dressed up as Krampus and roamed the streets of Austria. They wore masks with animal skins holding long sticks with bells tied to them so that children can hear the clanking through the darkness. Their purpose is to create fear among the children.

3. Norway Hides All Brooms on Christmas Eve

In Norway, some people hide their brooms on Christmas Eve. This is because they believe that evil spirits and witches come out on Christmas Eve and look for brooms to ride on. Thus, they hide their brooms before going to sleep lest they get stolen.

But whatever way you celebrate Christmas, let us not forget its true meaning. Christmas is a celebration of God’s love to mankind. It is the season for love and great joy.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
– John 3:16-17

Merry Christmas everyone!

Dec

2020

Christmas Parties While Socially Distanced

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Are you participating in Christmas parties while socially distanced this year? The holiday season doesn’t seem to be complete without the presence of our loved ones. A family reunion is always anticipated at this time of year but we may have to skip this annual tradition. In a time of social distancing, traveling for a holiday reunion is not only inconvenient. It is also risky to the health of you and your loved ones.

Fortunately, we can let our creativity solve this dilemma. Since most of us have been working from home, why not do the same for our annual get-togethers? Check out these 8 ways to enjoy socially distanced Christmas parties.

Countdown Party

While the whole family can’t go out and enjoy the usual light shows and countdown parties; you can hold the event from the comfort of your own homes instead.

Have all family members go online at the same time and count down the seconds as you welcome Christmas Day. You can also do this for the New Year too! For more fun, you can watch an online Christmas light show together and join in on the countdown.

Decorating Party

Many of us may still be working before Christmas Eve and don’t have time to actually do some decorating. Get together with friends and loved ones who are in the same boat and do a decorating party.

Be sure to take pictures of your decorations and send to each other afterwards. Also, don’t forget to take a group shot of your virtual party with your completed decorations in the background. If you and your friends have just recently started working from home; you can showcase each other’s workspace instead.

Drinking Party

For those us who just want to enjoy the holidays with an abundance of our favorite beverage, then a drinking party is in order. Invite your drinking buddies to this party and have fun together.

Stock up on your favorite drinks and engage in your usual drinking session. Chat away the night with funny jokes, anecdotes and stories. Stock up on food that you usually eat with your favorite drinks too. Just make sure that none of you gets so drunk that you fall asleep. You do have to stay sober to enjoy this virtual activity. Then again, this is a fun anecdote to remember for your next drinking party. Don’t forget to prepare some hangover remedies too to comfort yourself the next morning.

E-Caroling Party

Parties are sometimes not complete without the background of jolly Christmas songs. Why not make an event out of it and give away prizes to winners too?

Setup a virtual get-together and have different families or groups of teens and kids sing their Christmas songs in order. Family elders can be the judge of each performance. Of course, everyone may end up winning but that’s even more fun!

Karaoke / Videoke Party

Is karaoke or videoke a popular past time in your family? If everyone has one in their homes, then get together for your own music festival of sorts.

Setup the karaoke / videoke machine and take turns singing your favorite songs to each other. No karaoke or videoke? Just go online and sing along to your favorite artist. Make sure that you don’t hog the mic all to yourself though and let others take their turn. Each singer can dedicate their song to another family member. This is an endearing way to apologize to someone too. Sing them a song that truly reflects your sorrow at not being able to talk to them. Tell them how much you appreciate them thru your choice of song.

Noche Buena and Media Noche Party

Food is always the star of the holidays so why not virtually showcase each other’s holiday goodies? Bonding over your favorite food is always a nice way to connect with loved ones.

Make the party extra special by cooking your favorite goodies and sending some to other family members. You can also go online and order for them instead. You can also swap recipes and cooking secrets as you enjoy each other’s special foodie treat. Don’t over indulge though. Keeping yourself healthy during the holidays is one gift you need to give to yourself.

Sweater Party

Are ridiculous and funny Christmas sweaters a part of your family tradition? If so, why not host a Christmas Sweater Party and see who bags the funniest or ugliest sweater?

You can add your own categories and have your grandparents or older family members, or even the kids, be the judge. For more fun, have the participants introduce themselves in the character or theme of their sweater.

Unboxing Party

Have you sent out your gifts to everyone in the family this year? If so, why not schedule an unboxing of each other’s Christmas gifts. You can raffle off the order of who will open theirs first. You can schedule this on Christmas day.

The good thing about this unboxing is that both the giver and the receiver can say their intentions and give their thanks as the gifts are being opened. You can even share anecdotes on how you decided on the gift or share funny stories on how you finally found it.

These are just some of the Christmas parties that you can enjoy while socially distanced with your family and friends. We’re sure that you already have other ideas in mind as you browse through this list. With virtual parties, you can still spend time with your family while saving up on travel costs.

Whatever type of virtual party you decide to do; just make sure to keep everything light and fun. Don’t forget to be grateful for the blessing of being able to spend happy times with your loved ones this holiday season and in the new year.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Eugene Zhyvchik on Unsplash.

Dec

2020

Avoid Overspending This Holiday Season

Reading Time: 2 minutes

It’s the Christmas season once again. Christmas is a big cultural and religious event as Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is about celebrating love and joy with families, friends and loved ones. But, it has also become a huge commercial phenomenon as people spend so much money on gifts, parties and new things. Although Christmas celebrations and parties may be different this year compared to the previous years because of the new normal, it is still easy to fall prey to consumerism. To avoid starting the new year with piles of debt, here are a few tips on how to avoid overspending this holiday season.

1. Set up a Christmas budget and stick to it.

First of all, you should have created a plan even before the Christmas season even began. Plan on how much you can afford to spend on gifts, food, events, travel, decorations, clothing, etc. Once you have it, by all means stick to it. Don’t be tempted to buy a more expensive gift for your loved one just because it’s Christmas. If it is way above your budget, it simply means you cannot afford it.

2. Track your spending.

The easiest way to make sure you are spending within your budget is to track your expenses. Write down everything you are spending on a daily basis. Just record all the items you have spent and compare them to your budget. Do this on a daily basis. It will take some time and effort on your part but it will serve as a reminder to help you stay on track.

3. Be creative with your gift giving.

You don’t need to spend a fortune for your gifts. Be creative. There are so many Christmas gift ideas for less. You can give them something handmade or cook for them. It is kind of cliche but it’s the thought that counts. What is important is that you remember them during this holiday season.

4. Look for Deals.

Most stores over holidays deals this Christmas season. Buy these items because they are normally offered on discounted rates.

5. Pay cash.

Never ever use your credit card if you think you won’t be able to pay the full amount due in January. Instead, always pay cash so as to not get carried away with your purchases. Don’t be a victim of paying more than your actual purchase by paying fees and interests in your credit card.

6. Don’t overspend on yourself.

Once you are done with your Christmas shopping, go home. Don’t expose yourself to temptation by lingering in the store. The displays are there to lure you into buying them. By going home, you are preventing yourself from buying unnecessary things.

7. Entertain for less.

If you plan on hosting a Christmas party, skip those costly dinner parties by telling your guests to do potluck. Don’t put the burden of preparing for all the food yourself. And besides, until this pandemic is over; it is still not advisable to hold gatherings most especially if it is done indoors.

8. Get better deals after Christmas.

If you can postpone giving yourself or even other people a gift after Christmas, then by all means do so. Stores normally start selling items on discounts the day after Christmas because they need to clear their inventory for new ones for the coming year. By shopping after the holidays, you will get larger discounts for the items that you want.

First Published in Pinoy Smart Living on 12.04.2018

Feature Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

Dec

2020

Holiday Travel During A Pandemic

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Are you thinking of traveling during this holiday season? Before you get all excited and begin packing your bags, you may want to reconsider your plans. While the holiday is really about reconnecting with family and loved ones, we are still in the middle of the pandemic. There has been a resurgence of cases in some areas. So, everyone should remain vigilant. Certain factors such as large gatherings increase the risk of infection. Traveling can also increase your chance of spreading and getting the disease. But if you really must go, here are things to consider in holiday travel during a pandemic.

1. Be Aware of the Health Condition of Your Loved Ones

Before you even begin contemplating on your travel, ask yourself. Are you in good physical condition? Is someone from your family sick? What is the health condition of your household? What about the family you are going to visit? If one of you is immunocompromised or has a comorbidity, it is best to just cancel or postpone your trip. Protecting yourself and others should be a priority.

2. Know the Situation of Your Destination

The next thing to do is to do some research. Are the cases high in the community of your destination? Aside from your destination, you should also consider the latest health development in your area. The higher the cases are in your point of origin and in your target destination, the higher the chance of you getting and spreading the virus.

3. Check Travel Restrictions

Whether you are planning on a road trip or booking a flight, if your destination is in another city, province or state; it is best to first check the travel restrictions. Various destinations have different travel restrictions in place. In addition, travel requirements are very volatile these days. They change frequently depending on the latest health developments. Thus, it is important to keep yourself updated before you travel.

4.Get Yourself Tested

If it is not a mandatory requirement for your travel, still, do consider to have yourself tested first. It is the only way to protect yourself and others from you.

5. Get Travel Insurance

Traveling these days is no longer that simple. Travelers are now more conscious of the added risks involved. Thus, in order to protect yourself from unplanned incidents, it is best to have insurance. Furthermore, many destinations now require travel insurance, especially if you are going overseas.

Typically, a travel insurance covers the person during the duration of the travel. However, during this time, it is best to get something that will cover you even before your travel that includes pandemic coverage. For example, someone from your family tested positive for the virus and you are forced to cancel your travel. If this happens, the insurance can reimburse your prepaid arrangements. Thus, it is wise to Invest in travel insurance during this time of uncertainty.

5. Follow the New Normal Protocols

Follow the new normal protocols wherever you go. Remember to always:

Wear mask.
Follow social distancing.
Wash your hands frequently.
Bring an alcohol or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol wherever you go.
Pack medicines and vitamins.

And lastly, always remember to strengthen your immune system by drinking lots of water, eating healthy foods and getting enough sleep.

Happy holidays!

Feature Image by Anna Shvets from Pexels