Christmas Ideas - Feel Good with Boxes

Here's another great tradition - Christmas boxes for other children.

We are all so fortunate to be considering gifts, but as we know, many don't have that luxury.

I like the Christmas Box idea because it not only meets some basic needs, but also makes children feel special and loved.

Here's how it works 

Get kids and grandchildren involved in filling a number of shoeboxes which charities of your choice can then distribute.

Use shoesboxes or re-usable plastic storage boxes and fill them with both practical and fun gifts. Suggestions:

• School: pencil and sharpener, paper, crayons, colouring book, solar calculator, stickers, play-doh and moulds, glue sticks.
• Practical : toothbrush and toothpaste, bar soap, flashlight (solar or manually powered), brush, comb, hair ties and bows.
• Toys: balls, cars, harmonica, yarn dolls, paper dolls, finger puppets, yo-yos. Also sweets, gum, sunglasses, hats, socks, t-shirts.

Once they're packed (and you can include a note and family photo if you wish), deliver them to your favourite charity. If you're not sure who to give them to, do a Google search or in the US go here or the  UK here.

You'll enjoy your Festive Season all the more knowing you've helped to bring joy to some happy children this year.

Christmas Ideas - Appreciate Them

Following on from my earlier Christmas suggestion to Start a Tradition,here's another great idea.

Say thank you to people who have helped you throughout the year, in a very personal yet inexpensive way.

Fill a tin or basket with some home-made goodies, add a short hand-written note and a family photograph. Deliver them to your doctors, police, firemen, church, teachers - anyone you appreciate.

It's a simple yet warm show of gratitude that used to happen a lot more than it does today.

Christmas Ideas - Start a Tradition

With Christmas about to arrive, it's time to start thinking about gifts - you don't want to leave it till the last minute and end up buying rubbish! A well-thought-out,gift shows you care far more than something that is just expensive.

Here's a wonderful idea I found that's easy to implement.

Each year, parents give their children - or grandchildren - a Christmas tree ornament as one of the their gifts. They don't have to be fancy or expensive (although they can be) - they can be home-made, or a collectable, or whimsical. 

These form a collection which becomes theirs when they move out.

The children really enjoy unwrapping their annual ornament, and each one is appreciated as much as the others because of the tradition.

I really like this idea!

Do you have a tradition (or several) in your family?

Fabulous Frankincense

Reading about Frankincense as a child, it seemed to me to be so exotic, so far removed from normal life. But today we can buy it easily as an essential oil. Like most essential oils, it has many benefits (with no side-effects) and so is much more eco friendly than much conventional medication.

Frankincense is probably best known for being an analgesic (pain reliever).  Apply it directly to the site of the pain - either a few drops, or diluted with water.

Anti-inflammatory— apply directly to the affected area, diluted or pure, to reduce the swelling associated with sprains, bumps and bruises.

Antiseptic— apply directly to an open wound to prevent or reduce the risk of infection.

Antidepressant— apply directly to the sides of the nose and above the upper lip.  It can also be ingested orally by placing a few drops beneath the tongue.

Antifungal— apply directly to any area of the body adversely affected by a fungus, such as psoriasis and eczema.  It could also be useful if you ended up sharing communal living conditions, for example, during Hurricane Katrina.  Apply it to the base of the feet to prevent fungal infections.

Sedative— apply topically to areas of the body where tension is felt, or ingest orally as a dietary supplement to reduce episodes of panic, fear, confusion, stress and anxiety.

Astringent/ Expectorant— acts as a drying agent. Great for sore throats as well as runny noses.

Bonus tip: to save buying a large number of different essential oils, combine with friends - each person buys different oils and you borrow as you need them.