Making cards and gifts for loved ones is a great idea, especially if you find yourself strapped for cash. There's such fulfillment in watching people light up with happiness.

This year, the majority of gifts I gave were handmade. Custom cards. The "Love and Light" gift: a mason jar that could be filled with sand, water and or shells, complete with the forementioned materials (except for water), votives and matches. The "You Matter" gift: a design in a delicate frame with a purposely imperfect white tissue paper background. Here's a picture of that design (you might recognize the famous poem):

Hey all,

Christmas is just 9 days away! When I was a kid, I loved how Christmastime transformed everyone and everything. The season of love, joy and perpetual hope tends to have that effect...or it should. Christmas can be the absolute best or worst time of year for people, and this year I sense it's not the best judging by the environment around me. 

What can we do to warm hearts this season? Here are a few thoughts:
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• Participate in church activities (including services) and bring a friend with you.
• We are all different, yet we are all the same. Befriend someone new. 
• Pay for a person's groceries, coffee, etc.
• Smile and laugh more.
• Listen to Christmas music...warms the heart.
• Recognize that some people are dealing with more than you can imagine...empathy and unconditional love can go a long way. No one likes to be struggling, depressed and/or alone.
• Greet people (yes that includes strangers) with a hearty "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays".
• Thank employees in person for their hard work (and if possible, throw in a bonus and a few extra paid vacation days).
• Volunteer at soup kitchens, food pantries, etc.
• Help a colleague complete a strict deadline. There are countless people who work overtime to make ends meet. Extra help would be a priceless gift. This includes more flexibility from upper management.
• Random acts of kindness. Be creative and have fun with it.
• If someone does something nice for you, pay it forward.
• Be a light in the darkness.
• Help someone across the street. 
• Give a blanket, clothes, a gift card for food, a cup of coffee, etc. to that homeless person you pass by almost every day.
• Make an anonymous financial donation to a family in need of funds just to put food on the table.
• Give an unemployed person a job.
• Throw a festive holiday party to celebrate the season.
• Spend time with your child/children.
• Take your significant other on a romantic date.
• Kiss that "girl" or "boy" under the mistletoe.
• The possibilities are endless...

I hope that wherever you are, whomever you're with and whatever you're doing, that you're enjoying this beautiful season. If you find someone in need of cheer, don't be afraid to reach out. Sure, there's always the possibility that efforts will backfire, but there's always the possibility that you'll bring much needed sunshine to someone's day!

Sending you love and happy hugs!

Jen

'Tis the season for warmth and cheer,
To be with our family and those we hold dear.
But what if we are miles away?
What if we can't be there on Christmas day?

We could send a beautiful Christmas card,
A glittery ornament that shines like a star,
A tin of cookies so warm and sweet,
But there's only one gift that makes it complete.

It's sent through the snowflakes in the air,
Through an angel's peaceful and heavenly prayer,
Through the verdant Christmas tree,
Through the Holy Babe, sleeping peacefully.

This gift is magical in every way.
It only comes on Christmas day.
It's what makes us truly rich;
A heartfelt, loving Christmas wish.

It's bright and big like the Bethlehem star.
It stretches wide and travels far.
It's the first snow of Christmas day.
It's the sun's warm and hopeful ray.

This precious gift I gladly send.
It's a Christmas wish to my family and friends:
May love, peace, and joy in your lives stay,
And may you have a Merry Christmas - always!

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On Cupid! On, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

• You aren't afraid to discuss your religious beliefs and you're also respectful of others who may or may not have differing beliefs. (Hi, I'm a Christian. I attend a very nice Lutheran church. And by the way, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you! Much love!)​

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• Knowing the risk, you brave the rowdy Christmas-Eve shoppers, charging ahead with your cash and fancy footwork like a rookie knight rushing his opponent in a Jousting tourney. It's truly amazing what acrobatic feats are performed for the most sought-after child's toy or shiny pair of designer pumps.

• Your granny gives you adult underoos. Adult. Underoos. Hahahaha....awesome. You wear them with pride...regardless of your age. (Batgirl is my fave, though Spiderman is a close second!)

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• During a busy, stressful time at work, you put on your very best elf shoes and go to Starbucks, order very complicated holiday beverages (with an angry mob behind you) and deliver each yummy treat to each person (without asking for reimbursement). And remember to include the boss, because he (or she) deserves a treat, too. Aww, service with a smile!

• Look. At. That! Mistletoe overhead. Cute guy (or gal) directly underneath. You go for a full-on, academy-award-level, take-my-breath-away-regardless-of-who's-in-the-room smooch. Bravo! Bravo!

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• You buy gift cards, food and/or blankets and personally distribute them to the homeless/less fortunate. That's not necessarily a confidence thing, but it is right kind to do so.

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• You visit the Mall Santa and have your picture taken with him. And knowing that you're probably on the naughty list again this year, you still boldly ask him what you reeeeeally want.

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• Your adult brain takes a sabbatical and your childlike wonder steers your ship. This potentially leads to decorating in a bright way that would make Clark Griswold proud, making "ugly" Christmas sweaters, throwing loud theme parties, making snow angels and having snowball fights, having high sugar (and super giggly) Christmas movie marathons, and the like.

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• You've reached the level of happiness with yourself that you don't care what others think of you and your life. So what if you put antlers and a puffy red nose on your vehicle? So it's silly. It's way cool and you know it. 

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

​On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me a wicked case of Chronic Lyme.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent me to two co-infections and a wicked case of Chronic Lyme.

On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me three helpful doctors, two co-infections and a wicked case of Chronic Lyme.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me four nasty uncoated Flagyl pills, three helpful doctors, two co-infections and a wicked case of Chronic Lyme.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me five fun brain games books, four nasty uncoated Flagyl pills, three helpful doctors, two co-infections and a wicked case of Chronic Lyme.

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me six IV treatments, five fun brain games books, four nasty uncoated Flagyl pills, three helpful doctors, two co-infections and a wicked case of Chronic Lyme.

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me seven years of sleep-deprived nights, six IV treatments, five fun brain games books, four nasty uncoated Flagyl pills, three helpful doctors, two co-infections and a wicked case of Chronic Lyme.

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me eight cheerful friends I never thought I’d have, seven years of sleep-deprived nights, six IV treatments, five fun brain games books, four nasty uncoated Flagyl pills, three helpful doctors, two co-infections and a wicked case of Chronic Lyme.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me nine perfect days, eight cheerful friends I never thought I’d have, seven years of sleep-deprived nights, six IV treatments, five fun brain games books, four nasty uncoated Flagyl pills, three helpful doctors, two co-infections and a wicked case of Chronic Lyme.

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me ten missed social gatherings, nine perfect days, eight cheerful friends I never thought I’d have, seven years of sleep-deprived nights, six IV treatments, five fun brain games books, four nasty uncoated Flagyl pills, three helpful doctors, two co-infections and a wicked case of Chronic Lyme.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me eleven Netflix binges, ten missed social gatherings, nine perfect days, eight cheerful friends I never thought I’d have, seven years of sleep-deprived nights, six IV treatments, five fun brain games books, four nasty uncoated Flagyl pills, three helpful doctors, two co-infections and a wicked case of Chronic Lyme.

​On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me twelve expensive supplements, ​eleven Netflix binges, ten missed social gatherings, nine perfect days, eight cheerful friends I never thought I’d have, seven years of sleep-deprived nights, six IV treatments, five fun brain games books, four nasty uncoated Flagyl pills, three helpful doctors, two co-infections and a wicked case of Chronic Lyme.