DAY FOUR 'SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER '

Day Four 'SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER'

Day Four......send a card by postal mail with a hug included to someone who needs to be cheered

                 FOU YOU

Day Four....watch a holiday movie. There's always one on the Hallmark Channel. 

Social media (emails, texts, Facebook etc...) seem to be the way we connect with everyone these days. We send "Happy Birthday", "Happy Anniversary", greetings for getting well, sympathy and condolences and words for other occasions via the worldwide web. For many the purchasing and mailing of s card has gone the way of the the party line.  

Receiving correspondence by mail is a welcomed. It shows to the recipient someone took the effort to do the following:

   1.  Purchase and choose a card

    2.  Sign the card and perhaps add a personal note

     3.  Put the card into the mail 

Writing out the card can give the sender a feeling of joy within.  After all you may become a receiver of a card yourself. 

For yourself on Day Four, find a holiday movie and enjoy. You can watch one you already own or watch one playing on television. 

As for my Day Three I had an adult beverage with a friend who had been a bit stressed after doing some volunteer work. 

In the evening, I took my fifteen minutes to have listen to Christmas music while I read a holiday story. I also had a cup of hot chocolate with tiny marshmallows; a truly relaxing evening.  

Until tomorrow enjoy Day Four and maybe more than one card you will send; have some popcorn 🍿 with the movie. 

Day Three...'Spreading Holiday Cheer'

     Day Three of 'SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER'

Day Three....invite a friend for a coffee or holiday drink 

            FOR YOU

   Day Three....Take a 15 minute tine out and listen to some Christmas music. 

    There are times when someone may need to get out of the house and away from it all for only an hour or two not just during the holiday season but at other times of the year. This being only Day Three of December many are unwinding from Thanksgiving and preparing for Christmas.  For many there is no break in the action; go from one holiday to the next. A break is needed if only for a short time. Inviting a relative, friend or acquaintance to share a coffee, hot chocolate, cup of tea or holiday drink can bring calmness to you both.  An opportunity to go out and just enjoy the company of another without the worries of what is happening around you, is indeed something you should do.  Bear in mind this can be done anytime of the year and NOT just the holiday season. But doing so NOW is a good way to spread joy while enjoying the company of a relative, friend or acquaintance. 

You need not go to the fanciest place or must trendiest, try a small local diner, coffee shop or if going for an adult beverage (if you are a member) a local veteran's club.  No matter what you do or where you go, remember it's the thought that counts and the act of kindness. 

My Day Two 'spreading holiday cheer' went well.  I connected with someone who really needed a cheering up.  Odd how just a quick 'hello, how you doing' can take a dark day and turn it into a sunshiny day. 

Here's hoping you enjoy the beverage with someone today. 

I know I will; and yes I will enjoy my fifteen minute time out to listen to Christmas music 🎶. 

Day Two 'Spreading Holiday Cheer'

Day Two 'Spreading Holiday Cheer' 

First of all my Day One went well. My compliment went to someone I never met before; another compliment to someone who waited on me.  Both seemed to be having some issues and I think my saying something nice helped make them feel better. 

A funny thing seemed to occur on day one. Both my husband and I were wearing red shirts (after all it was a Friday. Wear RED to Remember Everyone Deployed).  My husband has a beard as good as Santa's; as a matter of fact some jokingly call him Santa.  While out doing errands we decided to stop at a small bar which serves awesome chili dogs (best I found in my area since my move to Florida).  We walk into the place and three people say it's Santa.  One patron decided seeing us was a sign to take the rest of the day off work.  (He was having a bad day).  I decided to go back out to the car to get my husband's hat, his Santa hat. He puts it on for a photo taken by the customer. He told us that our coming into the bar for food was the highlight of his terrible day. 

I thought about this as we made our way home. In a way just our stopping at this bar, which was unexpected and not planned, could be an action of spreading holiday cheer. Not only did it make this one person's day brighter but brought joy to others there also.  You never realize how a small gesture or action during this time of year can change another's outlook. 

As you go through this holiday season doing acts of kindness or as I call it spreading holiday cheer, you never know what will happen; who you may meet and what changes you may make in another person's life. 

Until tomorrow Day Two is listed below. 

 On Day Two....Call someone you haven't spoken to in a while. 

      FOR YOU

 Day Two....Buy yourself a tasty treat.  

Calling that person you have not spoken with in a while can bring you both closer for the holiday. Catching up with each other's lives since you last had a conversation.  Just calling to say "Merry Christmas" etc...can be as special as a store purchased gift. You are giving of your time; taking a few minutes out of your day to let them know you are thinking of them.  Perhaps there is more than one person on your list to call; well CALL.  

For yourself on day two why not pick up something tasty like a bakery item; candy bar; fruit salad or ice cream treat.  The tasty treat is what you consider it to be to suit you. My idea is a chocolate cream filled long John donut and a cappuccino.  

Enjoy day two.....I have two on my list to call.  As for the tasty treat....I think a fruit salad will be in order.  

Day One 'SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER'

Tomorrow is December the first. It's day number one of 'Spreading Holiday Cheer'.  

Here is the first item in the list:

Day One....Give someone a compliment to make their day. 

               FOR YOU

Day One....Sit and relax with a hot cup of tea; peppermint would be a good choice. 

Everyone likes to hear something nice about their self.  Perhaps telling a co-worker they are doing a good job; tell someone they look great in the outfit they are wearing; compliment their hair; it does not matter what you compliment them about JUST DO IT. The compliment can be given to a neighbor, person you see everyday, someone who waited on you or even a family member. It only takes a few moments to bring a smile to another and give them a feeling of happiness.  That's what this time of year is about. Thinking of others and spreading the cheer.  

As for yourself you should not neglect yourself.  Take five moments to sit back and relax with a nice peppermint tea.  If peppermint is not to your taste, any tea will do.  You don't like tea? Give it another try. Five minutes all to yourself can revive you.  So sit, sip, relax and enjoy. 

Until tomorrow.....I have the person in mind for the compliment. They do need a little cheering up so I hope my words will do the trick. I'll let you know in the next blog. As for peppermint tea, yes I'll be having a cup while watching a holiday movie.  

Spread Holiday Cheer

   Last December I saw an interesting post on social media. It was a December calendar with twenty-four Radom Acts of Kindness; one for each day from December first to Christmas Eve.

Last year I did these but a few days I varied from the list, but all in all I did an act of kindness each day from the first of December to Christmas Eve.  (There were a few repeats but not many.)

During the past year, I thought about the list on occasion.  I wondered about creating my own kindness list based on some of the items from last year's list. I made notes at different times when an idea would come to mind. Taking a few of the suggestions, I came up with my version of the 'acts of holiday kindness' which I have titled for myself as 'Spreading Holiday Cheer'.  Besides doing for others, I thought about a list of things one could do for their self during the days leading up to Christmas. Each day I plan to post the 'Spreading Holiday Cheer' as well as 'Treat to Oneself'.  After a busy day many need a few moments from the hustle and bustle of the holiday preparations just to unwind and relax. 

Each day I also will try to create a short blog about the 'cheer item' for the day. Actually I plan to do it the day prior so everyone can get a jump start on the daily action beforehand. 

Each day's item is only a suggestion and it can be varied to suit your own situation. 

The holidays are a time for family, friends and fun.  It's a time to reflect on what we have and a time for goodwill towards others. 

There are many who are alone; many who do not have much in their life.  Sharing and spreading joy and happiness is one thing we all can do to make the holidays brighter for others.  Even the Scrooges and Grinchs need to be reminded that this is the season of joy.  You might even melt their icy heart a bit and put a smile on their face.   

Enjoy your holiday season. Merry Christmas.....Happy Hanukkah and Happy whatever you may celebrate this time of year. 

Don't forget to read back on this blog November 30th for the December 1st day of 'Spreading Holiday Cheer' act of the day. 

Acting as Kids

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays.  One is never to old to enjoy the day.  It brings out the kid in all of us.  What I find enjoyable is the cute costumes worn by the children.  I love to see little super heroes, nurses, witches, cowboys and girls, monsters and princesses.  

Adults come up with some interesting attire. It's always interesting seeing a man dress as a women. Actually some guys can rock that look. 

A few years ago my husband and I attended a Halloween party at one of the veterans clubs where we are members. As we stepped inside one of the men checked our membership card making sure we hold membership. 

He walked around to a few other people checking membership cards. We had only been there about five minutes when in walks what I at first thought was a sixty-five plus year old woman. This person sat next to me. Dressed in a very lovely silk gray pants suit, long silver earrings, tennis bracelet and a large cocktail ring on the left hand ring finger this person made a stunning sight. Their hair (a wig) was a blonde-gray shade and a black felt hat covered the head. I noticed a medium size patent leather black purse that matched the inch and a half heeled shoes. This person took out pen and paper to write their drink order to the bartender and then showed her their membership along with another note that said 'don't let on who I am'.  

I watched this person for a few minutes trying hard to figure who it could be. Finally it dawned on me. I knew who it was; the outfit had looked familiar. It was one I had seen few years prior at a fundraiser where men dress like women. Chuckling I whispered to this person a hello and I will keep their secret. 

In the meantime the membership card checker guy returned and the bartender told him she had checked the card of the lady in gray (that's what we named this person).  Mr. Card Checker took a seat next to Lady Gray and struck up a conversation. He even bought her a drink. Lady Gray smiled at him and kept down casting her eyes as if shy; using a very whispery voice to speak. This went on for about ten minutes then Mr. Card Checker asked if he could speak with me alone. 

We walked over to a secluded area which was not easy to find since the place was getting crowded. His question floored me. He wanted to know if I thought Lady Gray would like to go out with him sometime. I had no idea what to say. I was speechless which is not normal for me. I decided on a good answer. I told him let's go back over and I would ask. I could hardly keep from laughing.  

Well I tapped Lady Gray on the shoulder and told her Mr. Card Checker wanted to know if she'd go out with him sometime. 

In the regular speaking voice Lady Gray answered him by saying "when". Hearing the deep voice of this person dressed as a woman all Mr. Card Checker could say was "oh I knew you were a guy all along" but the facial expression showed disappointment. 

Halloween brings out the kid in us all; we all enjoy having a mini-size candy bar, pumpkin flavored food/drinks and some of us still enjoy haunted venues.  

As in the past few years (I get no trick or treaters in my adult community) so I pass out treats to those I see in the veterans clubs where I frequent. It is funny when someone asks for a specific type candy bar which is their favorite. 

This is one holiday we adults can let our guard down and become a kid for a day.  

Until next time.....Happy Halloween to everyone.  Enjoy candy corn and pumpkin everything. 

RUSHING HOLIDAYS

It's October and the month of Halloween. I enjoy October, which I am sure I mentioned in another blog.  I own quite a few black pieces of clothing so I seem to wear them everyday during this month; well all accept Wednesdays and Fridays but that's for another blog. 

Yesterday as I walked through a store, I pushed my buggy (shopping cart) down an aisle of all things Halloween. All types of candy and treats caught my eye as well as other items for celebrating the holiday.  I could not resist picking up a bag of candy corn and Halloween Oreos.  (I will be giving both to an acquaintance with a child).  As I slowly strolled down the aisle I began to smell a distinctive odor that generally aggravated my allergies due to the overwhelming scent. I turned into the next aisle and saw the reason for my discomfort. The aisle was dedicated to items for the Christmas holiday. Included in the  holiday display was scented candles causing my allergies to act up. The shelves held garland, ornaments, lights, dish towels, pot holders, stockings and Santa hats. Yes it is only October third, but the Christmas items were sitting on shelves waiting to be purchased. 

It seems that holidays are being rushed earlier and earlier every year. What ever happened to taking it ONE HOLIDAY at a time? 

I celebrate holidays as they approach. Since this is only October I am celebrating Columbus Day, birthday of the Navy, Octoberfest, Halloween and my wedding anniversary. Come November it'll be the Marine Corps birthday, Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving. December first will be time enough for me to begin thinking about Christmas and the beginning of winter.  

As I strolled from the aisle dedicated to Christmas, I turned down the next hoping I would not see Valentines.  

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy holidays but as I stated prior one at a time. 

Until next time....enjoy the October holidays.  Oh yes don't forget another October holiday, National Candy Corn Day on October thirtieth.