Posts Tagged ‘holidays’

YES, I know it’s too early to think about this stuff. YES, I know the kids just went back to school a few days ago. This is not my fault. I just read an article about how to do Christmas shopping when you have many many people on your list. On top of that some of the bigger stores have started running commercials to let us all know that they’re starting their lay-away programs early this year. I don’t want to be thinking about this. I can’t help it (they started it).

I have to admit that I enjoy the holiday season. There’s nothing like falling back into the childlike joy of seeing the lights, the tree, and the celebrations. I do love giving gifts to my family. It’s something I do because I want to. It makes the holiday special for me to see the smile on their faces. That said, I am not caught up in the cycle of giving gifts to everybody I have ever known. For me, my immediate family is the perfect quantity. Early in my marriage we were sucked into the family exchange of gifts. It was not a rewarding experience. Seemed more like another chore. With some tactful explanations we soon were left with our gift list of choice. Not to say that people are not acknowledged during the holidays. They are. It just doesn’t have to include a purchased gift. Read the rest of this entry »

As the year ends we are coming out of gift-giving season for many families. Excited children everywhere are enjoying playing with new toys, books, games, and such. It’s a joy to watch them enjoying the gifts they’ve received. And then reality steps in when you have to referee or constructively persuade your child to share or console your child when they feel that twinge of the “green-eyed monster,” envy. It happens in all families at some time.  Just another part of growing up.  How you handle this situation depends on your understanding of your child’s development and the values you’ve instilled. Read the rest of this entry »

Gift-giving season has ended and I’m wondering, “How do your kids say Thank You? Seems there are some differences of opinion as to the importance of teaching a child how to acknowledge a gift and following it up with a Thank You. I doubt anyone would actually feel that the simple act of saying Thank You is a bad thing. Yet, more and more parents seem to lack the skill or desire to pass along this simple skill.

Time passes but rules of etiquette last forever. A child who says Please and Thank You stands out in a crowd of kids who lack this social skill. For some it may seem old-fashioned to focus on a Thank You. When, exactly, did manners go out of style?

We are just a few days past Christmas and Hanukkah and your kids probably received some wonderful gifts. Those gifts were given with the hope of experiencing the joy they would bring to the recipient. If you live far from family members you should realize that gifts given at this time of year are a way of reconnecting. A way of expressing love. A way of inciting a conversation that enables the gift giver and recipient to reinforce their emotional bond. Trust me, grandparents are waiting to hear if the gift they sent was liked. Did it put a smile on a grandchild’s face? Are they enjoying playing with that toy? Simply, are the grandkids thinking of them?

So how do your kids say Thank You? There was a time when a hand-written note sent by mail was the only proper way to do it. I have to say I would be just as touched by a Thank You that arrives via a phone call, email, social media, or Skype. It’s not so much how it arrive but that it does arrive. That two-minute phone call brings joy to the heart of a grandparent. An email to Aunt Mary saying Thank You puts a smile on her face. It lets her know that her efforts and expression of emotion were received and appreciated. A Thank You post on Facebook to a sister who lives far away helps to rekindle the spark between siblings. Any Thank You  automatically tells the gift giver that they are being thought of and appreciated. Best of all, a Thank You starts a conversation. It allows people to connect. Smile. Cry. Hug. Smile some more. Most of all, it allow the gift giver to know that you care for them as much as they care for you.

There’s no reason to wait – say Thank You today.

As is the case every day of the year, and perhaps felt more dearly over the holiday season, donations to the Oregon Food Bank are always appreciated. This 2011 holiday season, won’t you take the time to drop off some food items or make a monetary donation to the Food Bank.

Since 1982 the Oregon Food Bank has been leading the fight against hunger – believing that with sufficient public will and support it is possible to eliminate hunger and its root causes. The OFB Network helps nearly 1 in 5 households fend off hunger.

For more information about the Oregon Food bank go to their website. For more information about drop off locations check out this page on the Oregon Food Bank website.

Oregonlive.com just posted a great list of  Portland Holiday Events. Concerts, holiday lights, the Nutcracker ballet, and more. Fun, fun, fun for the entire family!

If you know of other holiday events you’d like us to post please email us at and we’ll post the event.

It’s not too early to consider how you might participate in charitable activities or decide how you might donate to an organization. Oregonlive.com recently posted a great article with some suggestions.

Here’s a quick rundown of the article’s content:

• Feed the hungry
• Doernbecher Children’s Hospital
• Angel Tree
• Charity runs
• Organize a drive
• Salvation Army
• Toys for Tots
• Holiday caroling

If you know of another charitable organization or wish to promote your activity, please contact us atand we’ll post your info.

Most parents understand the importance of childproofing their homes. Gates on stairs, using smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and keeping medicines and poisons out of reach are fairly standard in many homes.

In addition to the risks of holiday decorations, younger children can get into trouble if they visit a home during the holidays (or anytime of year) that isn’t childproofed. Read the rest of this entry »