I Brake for Thanksgiving
I've learned that it's a mistake to try to accommodate everyone's taste-especially during the holidays. Each person has a picture in they're head of the perfect Thanksgiving and the perfect Christmas. My vision of the perfect Thanksgiving is not slaving away alone in the hot kitchen. In fact my view of the perfect Thanksgiving is a non performance. For a me that means watching the parade and having zero expectations of myself and others. I'm as happy with a tuna sandwich as potatoes and gravy. I tend to look it more like a Sabbath than an opportunity to load up on the season's home cooked foods. While traditions can be good I believe there some that are meant to be broken. That is why I brake for Thanksgiving.
If you fear the chorus of Fiddler on the Roof " TRADITION!" being assigned to you by others-Don't panic. Others can have their traditions but that doesn't mean it has to include you.
You are entitled to your own traditions. You may have to resort to telling others that you've been invited elsewhere-even if that means you've been invited by yourself to sit in front of the TV and cross stitch. I like giving gifts on Thanksgiving. I like to give gifts that it get us in the mood for the following Christmas holiday.
I prefer to skip the traditional meal and share the traditional pumpkin pie with friends and family.
Even if you are in the mood to spend the day in the traditional Thanksgiving meal preparation-there're a few things you can do to help make the day go a little more smoothly.
Make sure your family knows their specific duties well ahead of time, so merely plopping down in front of a football game is not their sole purpose in life on Thanksgiving Day. You can print out a fun checklist from your computer complete with something like " Team Jackson " at the top to hand out to immediate family. Get creative with a roster subtitled: first, second, third and fourth quarter, listing family responsibilities. This can include everything from serving pie to doing dishes. You might enlist those who are not graphically challenged to help you make a decorative list. Even crayons will work. This is a nice way to help each person do their part.
Personally I hate turkey dressing and think it is one of the grossest things ever invented. Warn folks ahead of time if your family tradition is some other food specialty. If they make a lot of fuss about not having dressing or other such thing you don't have time to make-politely ask them if they'd like to volunteer to bring some. You might encourage them by bragging on their dressing making capabilities and suggesting their wonderful dressing recipe.
After all Thanksgiving can be the time for being with loved ones- not having one person stuck in the kitchen. We can all be thankful at this time for healthy legs and arms with which to help out. Remember many hands make light work . One of the neatest things about Thanksgiving is the good tradition of sharing. I pray that's one tradition that never dies. NOTICE © Nita Jackson http://www.organizetips.com No portion of this may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, including photo copying, recording, or by any information storage,dissemination or retrieval system without permission
What Are You Thankful For?
- anonymous
For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing,
it means I have a home.
"For the teenager who is not doing dishes but is watching TV,
that means he is at home and not on the streets.
For the mess to clean after a party,
it means that I have been surrounded by friends.
For the pile of laundry and ironing,
it means I have clothes to wear.
And finally...For too much e-mail,
Because it means I have friends who are thinking of me."
Chanuka Get a jump on your holiday planning by making these special Hanukkah gift boxes and matching cards in advance
Clear it out ,Clean it out,Give it out
It is more blessed to give than receive...Charitable organizations that take your extras!
United States DomViolence;
Womens shelter locations
AMVETS ,they need clothing. They ask to fill the bag and leave it on the
curb at the date printed on the bag...trucks come around and pickup.
www.amvets.org/AMVETS14.htm www.goodwill.org
-800 number to call for the pickup of furniture "and other large items." They said they'll pick up EVERYTHING if at least 1 item of furniture is out with the other stuff.
Prom dresses/formal wear- good for those bridesmaid dresses!
www.glassslipperproject.org
Used sporting goods
Boys/Girls Club - call 800-854-CLUB for the nearest location or
www.bgca.org
Dress For Success that accepts donations( good usable clothing for the workplace ) to distribute to people who are trying to find jobs. If you haveThese are often displaced homemakers or homeless people trying to get back on their feet. Located in major cities in the U.S. at www.dressforsuccess.org/
Pixietoys
Auction site- services markets of toys, arts & crafts, hobbies and games.
No listing fees and "reasonable" final value fees.
If you are looking for tax deduction you can claim one with a reciept only if you use a shedule A form on your taxes.
Budget Friendly Gift Ideas
Saying No At Christmas © by Nita Jackson
It's nice to be able the say no to alot of fluff and froufrou.
I remember I'm not competing bulb for bulb, wreath for wreath with the Griswolds next door. I hate having to remember which box the hanging thingys, knickknack thingys and the plugin thingys are. I don't need more holiday ornaments- I need more time. Its nice to be able to embrace the simple joy of a home baked chocolate chip cookie, a single pillar candle in your favorite scent and a cup of hot chocolate or herbal tea for the caffeine and calorie-conscious. I remember the humble beginnings of the first Christmas at the manger, as well as the saying of the Grinch, that Christmas came "Without boxes, packages or bags!"
I like to say no to TV during the holiday season.
What I mean by saying no is limiting it. When I watch TV during this season, I find myself being tempted by gizmos and gadgets that I've long lived without, and have gotten by just fine. Don't get me wrong we watch inspirational movies on VCR. One thing that we're spared from is chronic materialistic merchandising of the latest stuff we're told we can't live without or the latest thing that we're told will up our "cool" factor (if that were possible from an inanimate object) every 10 minutes during the commercial break. I'm a big fan of Christmas music-Celtic, jazz and spirituals. We can have fun by belting out the lyrics that we can remember from year to year. Reading Charles Dickens is a favorite tradition for me. If you've never read the little match girl, I encourage you to do so. It may remind you of Romania or some other faraway place. These are inexpensive ways to celebrate instead of focusing on consuming.
Following the Wise men’s example of three gifts.
When I heard the idea, I latched onto it with all my heart. It helps curb the * Is that all I get?* attitude. One can incorporate this in two ways. You can limit buying for individuals and purchase things appropriate for the group or family. The other use is to limit each individual to three gifts each.
Another great idea for reigning in greediness is giving to people who have little or nothing at all. There are neat organizations that enable you to give gifts, such as a goat, to a destitute family trying to make do in a third-world country. Its a way to embrace being kind, not just giving to get. Besides its fun to able to say you gave a goat for Christmas.
NOTICE © Nita Jackson http://www.organizetips.com
No portion of this may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by
any means, mechanical, including photo copying,
recording, or by any information storage,dissemination or retrieval
system without permission.
:::::::::Time Saver Recipe ::::::::::
Snickerdoodles
1 box yellow cake mix
(like Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe)
2 eggs
1/4 c. cooking oil
2 T. sugar
1 t. cinnamon
Combine cake mix, eggs, and oil. Combine sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Roll
cookie dough in 1 inch balls, then roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place
about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet (spray with "Pam"). Flatten cookies
with bottom of glass and bake at 365 for 8 or 9 minutes.
Send this link to a friend
|
Christmas Comfort & Joy
List Price:$29.95 Your Price:$12.99--
You Save: $16.96
CLICK BOOK TO ORDER
Better Homes & Gardens Books.Carol Field Dahlstrom, (Edt) Hardcover ··· 288 pages.
Christmas All Through the House
List Price: $34.99
Your Price:$13.99--You Save: $20.96
CLICK TITLE TO ORDER
This helpful guide offers many suggestions for keeping the festivities alive without all the stress. Better Homes and Gardens: Christmas All Through the House provides tips and hints on everything from decorating and cooking to last minute stocking stuffers and home made gifts. There’s a host of seasonal ideas to brighten any room with Christmas ornaments or colorful holly. With more than 70 recipes to choose from, you can treat your family and friends to delicious treats. This treasury of ideas and inspiration will surprise and delight those dear to your heart! 320 pages.
Simply Homemade Food Gifts
List Price: $29.95 Our Price: $9.99--You Save: $19.96
Delicious food gifts packaged in beautiful ways. Inside, you'll find easy recipes for all kinds of gift-giving occasions, each with imaginative presentation ideas that will bring eye-catching, heartwarming results. Easy-to-follow instructions make every project simple to do, so no matter what your cooking or crafting experience, you can create memorable gifts you'll be proud to share.216 pages
Quick Gifts of Good TasteList Price: $17.95
Your Price:$3.99 --You Save: $15.96
CLICK BOOK TO ORDER
A wonderful collection of over 80 delicious recipes and coordinating craft projects are all together in one super volume. Every recipe is guaranteed to be simple to make, tasty, and rewarding. Clear instructions accompanied by full-color photos help to ensure successful completion of gifts the recipients will love. 128 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.49 x 9.55 x 8.32
| |
READ the E-ZINE
* BrightSpot* Drawing for Prize-- Monthly. NEW get organized ideas Monthly-
Get Happy Holidays!