Share the Holiday Cheer!

The holidays can be a frantic rush. They start earlier and earlier every year and often leave families feeling stressed and exhausted. How about making this year a year to enjoy the simple things? A season to celebrate what matters most.

Here are a few suggestions to try this year:

• Gather friends and family together in the yard of an aging loved one’s home and build a snowman (if weather and location allow). If they can’t help, they can watch out the window. If you have an older family member miles away, video the process and do a share with them. Have a family member or caregiver who lives close play it for them.
• If your loved one is in an assisted living or nursing home, work with the staff to help organize an event on a day the calendar isn’t already full. Maybe a Gingerbread Building Contest or an hour or two devoted to helping residents address their holiday cards for people.
• Get the kids involved! Maybe they can make cards for nursing home residents or help decorate an assisted living center for the holidays. Giving up some of their gently used toys to a shelter is always a nice idea.
• Know a family really struggling this year? Be their ‘Secret Santa’. Discreetly find ways to help. You could send them gift cards anonymously or arrange for a delivery of fruit and other goodies.
• How long has it been since you’ve been holiday caroling? Who cares if you can’t sing! Organize some friends and family and plan a few stops. Your church might have a list of members that are shut-ins you could visit that may enjoy hearing you.

Whatever you decide to do, just remember to take time to enjoy friends and family this the holiday season.

We would love to hear how you have decided to make this holiday season special or what your yearly tradition is. Do you use any of the suggestion listed above?