SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER....Day 16

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER 

   GET TOGETHER with a FRIEND or TWO

    TO WATCH the ARMY-NAVY FOOTBALL 

         GAME 🏈🏈

FOOD BOX ITEM: CAN of CRANBERRY 

          SAUCE 

Most get together for a pro-football game or even the Championship Bowl game. Few will make time to watch the Army-Navy game.  During the holiday season we are rushing here and there doing this and doing that.  Stop and take the time to watch the Army-Navy game with a friend or two.  It’s a fun game as these players will one day be serving our country upon graduation.  What better way to enjoy an afternoon then by having an afternoon of football.  You and your friend can even cheer and jeer for opposite teams.  My husband and I have gone out to watch the game at a sports pub. What fun we had as he cheered for Navy (he’s a navy veteran) and I for Army (as I’m an army veteran).  We got other patrons involved in the game which made it a fun day.  

You and your friend or even family member can relax for the afternoon.  It can become a new holiday tradition to watch this game together.  Call up a friend or family member; get some snacks and beverages; then sit back and just enjoy the game. 

Until tomorrow....GO ARMY! BEAT NAVY!

Tomorrow.....tape change to a vending machine with a note saying from me to you. 

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER....Day 15

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER 

     MAKE a DONATION to a LOCAL 

          VETERAN’S ORGANIZATION 

FOOD BOX:  CAN or TWO of TUNA

Veteran’s organizations are a good place to make a donation.  All monies they receive go one hundred percent (100%) towards the organization and their programs.  They have no administrative fees to pay out.  Generally you can tell the organization which of their programs you want your donation to go towards.  During this time of year veteran’s organizations are collecting for veteran’s  and their who need holiday assistance; a children’s Christmas party or forgotten veteran’s in nursing facilities or VA hospitals.  One organization I’ve donated to over the years used my donation towards a Christmas party for children of deployed troops.  Although these organizations do accept donations year round holiday donations are greatly appreciated.  Each year I donate to different veteran’s organizations.  This year I am asking for my donation to go towards a luncheon for veteran’s who are in local nursing facilities in my area. An organization has them brought to their facility for a luncheon; visit from Santa which includes a little gift for them plus there is musical entertainment.  Many of these veteran’s are alone with no family and this lunch lets them know they are thought about.  Last year I donated towards a children’s party; they were children of deployed troops.  

It does not matter which veteran’s organization they all will be appreciative of a donation to help during this time of year. 

Until tomorrow....have a nice day. 

Tomorrow....get together with a friend to watch the Army-Navy 🏈 Football Game. 

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER....Day 14

 SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER 

      LEAVE a HAPPY NOTE for SOMEONE to 

            FIND

FOOD BOX:  CONTAINER of OATMEAL 

A few years ago I took a Christmas card and signed it from SANTA.  On the envelope I put TO YOU WHO FINDS THIS.

In the card I wrote an uplifting message about hope your day is going well; may you have a wonderful holiday season. Inside I put a snowman decoration; the snowman had the words “support our troops” on it. I carefully snuck it onto a chair at the veteran’s club I had gone to that day.  

A few days later I heard from the bartender that someone found a Christmas card that had lifted their spirits.  She said the person had been depressed about the holidays (as many seem to do this time of year).  The person she told me seemed to perk up and smile about the little find. The receiver of the card told the bartender that the find of the card was just what they needed to get out of the funk they were in that week. 

It’s a simple thing to leave a card or note for an unknown person. You don’t have to go out of your way to include something inside as I did.  

Every year at this time I leave a card with a little something inside.  Usually I’ll do this at a veteran’s club or even a restaurant.  If you work you can leave it in a break room area or common area for someone to discover. 

You never know who the recipient will be and what their reaction will be; maybe you gave someone a reason to smile. 

Until tomorrow....enjoy the day.  Maybe leave a few messages around someplace. 

Tomorrow....make a donation to a local veteran’s organization. 

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER....Day 13

 SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER

     TAKE SUPPLIES to the LOCAL ANIMAL

        SHELTER 

FOOD BOX: BOX of RICE 

Animal shelters need help all year.  Not only do they need animals to be adopted but they need donations in form of monetary as well as supplies.  Shelters need food for the animals but they also need other items as well.  They need supplies for cleaning; paper towels etc..  

if you are out and about shopping pick up some of these items for the local shelter.  I once donated a package of eight rolls of paper towels and a large bag of cat litter one year.  The best thing to do is call your local shelter to inquire just what they may need.  They will welcome the call and give you a possible list.  

Of course volunteering at a shelter would be a nice gesture if you can spare time.  

Until tomorrow....enjoy your day. 

Tomorrow....leave a happy note or card for someone to find.  

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER....Day 12

    SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER 

Today....GIVE a FRIEND, FAMILY MEMBER or CO-WORKER a SECRET SANTA GIFT

FOOD BOX:  JAR of SPAGHETTI SAUCE 

Who doesn’t enjoy a little surprise?  Play Secret Santa to a friend, family member or co-worker.  The gift does not have to be extravagant something whimsical could work.  Perhaps a holiday coffee mug filled with candy or even a packet of hot chocolate would make a fun gift.  

Of course you’d need to sneak it to them with a gift tag that has their name for TO: (their name) and FROM: SANTA.  

What fun the recipient will have trying to figure out who SANTA is.  

This happened to me s few times. It took awhile until I figure out who it was from. 

Once I had a Secret Santa gift signed from the PURPLE PENGUIN.  Why the Purple Penguin?  Because I’d never figure it out for weeks. The gift was a poinsettia with not a big red bow but purple one and a tiny stuff penguin attached.  Oh the thoughts I had on who it could be.  That was the fun part of the thing.  It all came to me when I recalled speaking about penguins weeks before with a friend who happen to like the color purple. 

Secret Santa is fun.  I’ve done it over the years and enjoy seeing the expression on the face of the person who receives my gift.  

If possible maybe be a Secret Santa to more than one person. It’s the season of joy and cheer. 

Until tomorrow...got to place my Secret Santa gift for a friend. 

Tomorrow....take supplies to a local animal shelter. 

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER....Day 11

     SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER

         Today.....INVITE a FRIEND YOU HAVE NOT SEEN for AWHILE for COFFEE 

FOOD BOX:  BOX of PASTA 

There seems to be that one friend we may not have seen for some time.  With our busy lives and with theirs it appears we may not have talked or gotten together for awhile.  

Today call them up ask them out for some holiday coffee.  This time of year there are a few holiday named flavors.  If your friend is not a coffee drinker perhaps have tea, hot chocolate or some type of beverage.  It’s the thought that counts not what you have to drink.  This friend may need an hour or two for their self during this holiday season.  Your call and invite may be the calm they need from a possible hectic day or week. 

You could possibly be the one who brings an hour or two of just ‘me’ time for them.  

It’s also a ‘me’ time for you also; time away from holiday preparation madness.  You need not spend hours and hours together but an hour or two if you can spare the time.  Make plans with that friend to repeat this outing again soon.  You could also try to make this a monthly outing in the coming year.  

Call a friend; enjoy some coffee time.  

Until tomorrow....I’m having a peppermint flavored hot beverage today with a friend.  

Tomorrow....give a friend or co-worker a secret Santa gift. 

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER....Day 10

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER....

     TAKE COOKIES to a NEIGHBOR 

FOOD ITEM:  CAN of PEACHES 

I really don’t know many in my neighborhood.  It seems that in a busy world today we can’t find the time to really get to know who lives next door; across the street or in back of us.  I live in an area where many of my neighbors are seasonal.  I do know the man who lives behind me and the woman two doors down but other than that no one.  

It’s the holiday season and a nice gesture is to make cookies (or buy from local bakery) to give to your neighbor/neighbors.   A cute hand made card could accompany it also.  I’ve done ordering cookies then transferred to an inexpensive holiday plate.  Around the cookies I put some Hershey Kisses and then put plastic wrap over the plate. A nice red bow and two candy canes taped to the top can make a nice gift for anyone.  

This act might even bring you closer to knowing your neighbor.  You need not load to go broke with a fancy plate. Try a dollar store for one or even fancy holiday paper plates.  Remember it’s the thought that counts.  

Until tomorrow....have a nice day. Everyone enjoys cutout sugar cookies this time of year. 

Tomorrow....Meet a Friend You Have not Seen for Awhile for coffee.