Christmas is a time of giving – although – it isn’t always doable to give money away, or buy presents for everyone. I do love gift giving (and I love getting gifts), it is actually my love language.

This is what Gary Chapman says in his book, The 5 Love Languages, about receiving gifts.

Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous – so would the absence of everyday gestures. Gifts are visual representations of love and are treasured greatly.

I like to put a lot of thought behind a gift that I am giving. Which, is why, shopping for presents becomes hard sometimes. I am racking my brain deciding what people would like this year. So I have decided, I am going to make a few handmade gifts this year. It’s going to be a handmade Christmas (with maybe a destination thrown in)

My worst peeve is when people keep asking for more, more, more. It just creates a negative energy.

Now before you throw stones at me… there are a few organizations that I love to give to and maybe you might be interested also.

Stampin Up – has the Make a Difference Program where demonstrators or employees can apply for a sponsorship to support a cause that they are passionate about.

And during 2019 – if you purchase the Nature’s Beauty Stamp Set #15028 – Stampin Up will donate $3 for every set sold to the following mental healthy organizations.

• Australia-Black Dog Institute
• Canada-CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)
• Europe-Mental Health Europe
• Japan-Center for Japanese Mental Health
• New Zealand-Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
• United Kingdom-Mind
• United States-NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

Chalk Couture – has Watts of Love. With the purchase of one of these three transfers, they will donate $2 to this charitable organization that helps bring solar lighting to nearly 1 billion in the world, living in poverty and cannot afford electricity. Plant Seeds of Love, Create Your Own Sunshine and Calm and Bright.

Scrap4Less – In 2019 for every “pet” item sold, Scrap4Less will donate $1 to Great Danes of Our Hearts Mission.  There will be more details closer to the New Year.

 Hope brightened my day today by letting me get this photo of her. 

I have a full fledged cold now… but I did manage to make it to the gym. The workout was a light TRX workout and it made me feel a bit better. I think, because I got up and moved.

Nutrition Today –

Breakfast – hydration – lots of water and green tea

Lunch – went to Panera with a friend and her adorable baby. I had the Spicy Thai Chicken Salad

Dinner – It’s Taco Tuesday… but I don’t really feel like eating. My head hurts, my nose keeps running and I’m sleepy.

Todays Advent Calendar – Wild Strawberry Spread. Maybe, I will eat it on toast tomorrow morning.

Now, I think I am just going to go give some love to myself and take a hot bath and go to bed. NO gym tomorrow!!!! My trainer has to go to a class! (I said that with too much excitement…)

Think of ways you like to give at Christmas – and if you can’t give money – then go be somebody’s light.

Show a little bit of love and kindness,
Never go around with hatred’s blindness
Take a little time to reach for joy and wear a happy face…
Sing a little bit when the days are dreary,
Offer little help to a friend who’s weary
That’s the way to make the world a happy place.

Merry Christmas may it be Merry and Bright

Positively, Debbie