December 2008 – Page 2

New Year’s Resolutions

New Year’s Day isn’t quite the hallowed holiday as some others throughout the year are. Unlike Christmas, there isn’t a great feeling of peace and joy hanging in the air. Unlike Thanksgiving, New Year’s doesn’t mean cooking a great meal and reconnecting with friends and loved ones we don’t normally get to spend much time with.

New Year’s does, though, have its share of traditions. There’s the ceremonial midnight toast, the tradition of kissing the person next to you just as the clock strikes midnight, and, of course, making resolutions.

What’s funny about New Year’s resolutions is that we mostly known that the lofty goals we set for ourselves—quitting smoking, losing fifty pounds, etc.—are ones we will give up on within the first month or so. Still, though, it’s fun, and more than a little empowering, to set them in the first place.

Something my friends and I have started doing, though, is to set goals for the new year that are so ridiculously conceived and easy to achieve, we do it for the sake of the joke, more so than anything else. Last year, a friend of mine resolved to not eat French Fries on Tuesday—a goal which she has kept (or so she says). And I resolved to always make sure my shoes were tied when I put them on, rather than just slip them on and dash out the door—a goal which I have not been able to keep.

However you celebrate or commemorate this New Year’s holiday—whether it be a gathering with friends, or sending free animated e-cards from gotfreecards.com, just be sure to stay safe, have fun, and set reasonable goals.

Home for Christmas

When I was a kid, I remember spending Christmas Eve with my Dad’s family and Christmas Day with my Mom’s family. I thought that that was how it always was, and that is how it always will be. But when I started a family of my own, trying to see everyone important to us became more about driving to the next destination than it did about spending time with our loved ones.

To alleviate this stress, my in-laws began having Christmas one week early. That way, everyone was able to hang out together and celebrate all day long, instead of watching the clock. And I was able to enjoy my extended family on Christmas without trying to split the day up between them and my husband’s family. But when we started having kids, it all changed and everyone wanted to see the kids on Christmas so we were back to square one.

But this year it is going to be different. My husband and I have decided that Christmas is going to be at our house, celebrated with just our immediate foursome, and if anyone wants to see us, they will have to come to us! We will be saving on gas, on stress, and saving time as we enjoy our family in front of the Christmas Tree. And for those whom we will not be seeing, I am going to send them all FREE ecards from GotFreeCards.com. There are so many choices for Holiday Greetings ecards, that there is something for everyone. This Christmas is going to be easy, and I have GotFreeCards to thank!

Christmas last minute gifts or ecards

I got an email today from one of those on-line-calendars: “Holiday reminder for Thursday December 25th.” Hmm…what could that be? If you could see my house you’d know that I really, REALLY, don’t need a reminder for this mysterious holiday coming up next Thursday. Next Thursday?!? I cannot believe that Christmas is so close. And before I know it, it will be time to put away my fake tree, take down the lights strung up outside, put away my stash of Holiday wrapping paper and pretty bows, and find a place for my family’s new treasures we received this holiday.

But let’s not think about that yet! There is still time to find last minute gifts at great prices, time to hang up those Christmas lights still snug in the box in the garage, time to go out and get that good smelling tree, time to drink some eggnog, and time to visit Santa at the mall. And there is always ample time to send out your Christmas ecards right here at GotFreeCards.com. So when people start reminding you that Christmas is next week, just nod and smile and say “I can’t wait!” and rest assured that you will get everything done that you need to, especially when you have GotFreeCards here to help you send out your “must-have” Christmas ecards!

Christmas Cards on Sale

I went to a book store last week, to do some last-minute Christmas shopping, and I had to smile at this display of Christmas cards, situated right at the front of the store.

I go to this book store often to get coffee in their café and use their Internet connection, and so I remember seeing those Christmas cards, for the first time, several weeks ago. At that time, probably the beginning of November or close to it, the cards were priced at full retail: close to twenty dollars for a box of fifteen, if I remember correctly. I remember shaking my head and thinking, People would be crazy to pay that much for cards.

A couple of weeks later, all the boxes of cards had sale stickers on them, which read: “ONLY $15!” It was a discount, sure; but ten dollars? For a box of Christmas cards? And a couple of weeks later, they had been reduced again, down to ten dollars a box. And then this past week, during my last-minute Christmas shopping, the cards were bargain-basement priced: three dollars a box. And people were picking through them like crazy.

That’s a decent price, to be sure, but it just made me think: all the silly little things that we spend money on, that we really don’t have to…it’s ludicrous. Why, for example, would people leap at the chance to buy these Christmas cards for even three dollars a box, with only fifteen cards per box, when they could get ecards for free, on gotfreecards,com, and send as many as they like?

I suppose there’s always going to be a market for people willing to spend money on things they don’t need, but still…

Christmas and New Year

Christmas Ecards

The placement of Christmas and New Year’s Eve on the calendar seems like a cruel joke. Other holidays are relatively spaced out: Easter in April, Independence Day in July, Halloween in October. But between two of the year’s biggest holidays, we have only one short week.

Thankfully, there isn’t much preparation needed for New Year’s Eve, other than planning your party, or deciding which one to attend; but it can still be stressful: on Christmas, once the presents are opened, there is a tendency to look at your living room floor covered in wrapping paper and realize there simply isn’t time to get ready for the next holiday.

Some simple advice is just take a breath, and realize that though, yes, there is a mess of Christmas stuff to dispose of before New Year’s, and yes, you only have one week to move on to the next holiday, it still doesn’t need to be done right. that. second. Enjoy Christmas—the whole day—and maybe even give yourself the whole next day to unwind. And instead of rushing to take down all your Christmas decorations, you can maybe add, as part of your New Year’s celebration, a de-Christmasing ceremony. Whatever you do, however you handle it, remember this: Christmas and New Year’s—and all holidays—are meant to be enjoyed. And while yes, stress is to be expected, it shouldn’t overtake the joy of being together with family, friends and loved ones.

Send Christmas Ecards to Santa

Our tree is up, the lights are blinking, and all of the non-breakable ornaments are in their place. That is, until morning when my toddlers remove the ornaments and try to touch the lights which is my cue to remove the whole thing altogether. I am excited to help my kids get ready for Santa Claus and put out the snacks for the reindeer. I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces Christmas morning when they behold the treasures Santa left for them the night before.

When I was a kid, I left a note for Santa on Christmas Eve: “Santa, please come into my room and wake me up when you get to my house so I know that you are real.” It is amazing to me to think I was so unafraid of Santa showing up in my room, because if he appeared today in my room I’d call the cops for sure! Anyway, when I woke up that Christmas morning, I was disappointed that Santa hadn’t introduced himself, but soon found his reply: “I can’t spoil the magic! Ho Ho Ho!” And he was right, Santa Claus represents the magic of the holiday season, and meeting him would have spoiled everything. Even today, though I know the real story, there is still a part of me that believes in the magic of Santa. Whatever your memories are of this festive season, be sure to share them with your loved ones. Make their holidays as bright as your memories by sending them Christmas ecards! And if you can find his email address, send one to Santa, too!

It is Eggnog time

Eggnog. To its numerous fans, the word evokes feelings of warmth, sweetness, and satisfaction. But to a random few, who shall remain nameless (my sister, Lindsey), it brings feelings of horror, the inability to swallow, and nightmares of liquid eggs in a cup. This fear is so strange to me, for I LOVE the yellow holiday beverage, that every year I try to trick my sister into drinking it at Christmas dinner. Because I know if she just tasted it one more time, she’d be in love, just like me. But alas, each year I am promptly found out and scolded by my dear sister. She hasn’t had a sip in over 15 years.

Recently I made my young son aware of the awesomeness of Eggnog, and as he has been asking to have it for breakfast all week, I decided I should find out what it really is! The word “Eggnog” means ‘egg inside of a cup’ and has an English background. As it became popular in recent centuries, people began adding rum, whiskey, or other fun additives for an extra kick. The original recipe was just milk or cream, eggs and sugar. But the carton I picked up from the grocery store also has included in the recipe High Fructose Corn Syrup, a few additives, and Turmeric for extra color, to name a few. I guess I could make my own, but who has time for that?? I still love my Eggnog, but I have to limit how much my young son drinks. It is only around during the holidays, so it is a special treat. As an added bonus this year, I am going to send my sister a lovely Christmas ecard with an added message to taunt her with: “It’s almost time for Eggnog!” Think she’ll still come over for Christmas?

Christmas Ecards

I got an email today from one of those on-line-calendars: “Holiday reminder for Thursday December 25^th.” Hmm…what could that be? If you could see my house you’d know that I really, REALLY, don’t need a reminder for this mysterious holiday coming up next Thursday. Next Thursday?!? I cannot believe that Christmas is so close. And before I know it, it will be time to put away my fake tree, take down the lights strung up outside, put away my stash of Holiday wrapping paper and pretty bows, and find a place for my family’s new treasures we received this holiday.

Christmas Options

Sometimes, on holidays, when we’re far away from the people we love, the urge may be present to not spend any time on Christmas shopping for them: after all, opening Christmas gifts in March lacks a certain something, doesn’t it?

But while you certainly don’t need to break your bank in shopping for those out-of-towners in your life, you can easily do something to let them know you’re thinking about them. You can call them on the phone, of course. And I usually write my best and oldest friends personalized letters every Christmas—even those I haven’t seen in years. Another option chritmas ecards —and one I’m certainly taking advantage of—is gotfreecards.com.

And, of course, don’t forget those farthest away of all: the men and women of the United States Military, serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, and all over the world. I can guarantee you that one phone call, letter or e-card will mean a whole lot more to them than your Dad’s new lawnmower will mean to him.

Christmas “Learning my Lesson”

Last year I decided I wasn’t sending Christmas cards. There were too many other things to do, in getting ready for Christmas, that if I could eliminate any headaches, I would do myself a favor. And one headache to eliminate was Christmas cards.

But it didn’t take too long after my mailbox began filling with cards from friends and family members that I panicked. Even if I didn’t send out cards, I realized, I’d still have to write thank-you notes for those I received, which in itself would take more time than just sending out cards in the first place.

I rushed to the greeting card store, to buy a box of greeting cards. But of course, being only a couple weeks before Christmas, the store was sold out. An employee, though, suggested I head to the book store at the mall, because they usually sold Christmas cards.

Well, I went there, and she was right: they did have Christmas cards for sale, but the price was so exorbitant I nearly passed out after seeing the tag. But I didn’t have a choice: I had swallow the sickening feeling and buy them anyway.

And so, at the end of it all, I had, in fact, bought Christmas cards that I had originally planned to not buy; and I certainly didn’t save any time or money.

What I should have done—and what I am doing this year—is send my Christmas cards through gotfreecards.com. Their animated free e-cards are easy to send—I only need to provide the e-mail address of the recipient—and they feature only free e-cards, meaning I won’t spend a dime.

I learned my lesson from last year. Hopefully, though, you can learn from my mistake, and avoid the stress in the first place