Thursday, December 16, 2010

Maximize Your Hugs

The holidays are such a warm and magical time. We get to spend quality time with our loved ones, share wonderful meals, and create life-long memories . . . Are you wanting to shoot me yet? We all know the truth about holidays, specifically, Christmas. The stores are too busy, people are racing around town, honking their horns, trying to get from one place to the next. Moms are stressed out trying to teach their children about the meaning of Christmas, get their shopping done, give something meaningful to a charity, organize a holiday party, help their children buy their own gifts to give. I am not even mentioning the regular daily chores of grocery shopping, getting the kids off to school, preparing weekly meals, cleaning the house, picking up the toys, showering . . . Have I even mentioned be a wife? Or a friend?

How do we do it?

No, I am not going to give you the answer. What I am going to do is attempt to kill a few birds with one stone. My advice is to start a cookie exchange. If you've done it before, hopefully you immediately know what I am talking about. If you haven't, I think this is one of the greatest ways to spend half of one of your Saturdays in December. Organize a group of friends (and even new acquaintances) and each choose a cookie of their own to bake and bring to the exchange, as well as a snack or drink to share. Children are welcome but optional. One mom (or dad) gets tasked with preparing the home-made (of course) sugar cookie dough and frostings of different colors to bring to the exchange. Please visit
for fun decorating tools and so much more for any holiday!

The beauty of this format is that you are not enduring the stress of baking every cookie together, but you are enjoying the baking and decorating experience with the sugar cookies. Creativity is fostered when you are among your trusted friends and the decorating results can range from quickly slapped on frosting, to plaid mittens, to hula-dancing gingerbread men and women. The laughs that emit from this table are aplenty.

No, the children are not involved in this part of the event. This is one of those times where we are trying to be as productive as possible in the shortest time possible. And frankly, if the kids were involved in this part, our mommy (or daddy) bonding time drastically reduces. The way it works at my house is the kids that do come entertain each other. Minimal interference is needed. And there is an understanding among the friends, and the children for the most part, that we are all our children's parents. We all look out for each other and our children.

What does doing it this way accomplish? Well, you just spent an afternoon bonding with your girlfriends, you ate delicious snacks, your kids were entertained and you (and others) baked several different kinds of holiday cookies. You now have plenty of cookies to divide up and make your own small gift plates to hand out to other friends, neighbors, work, or extended family, or anyone else you decide. You are teaching your children about everlasting friendships, old-fashioned home-cooking and good ole holiday spirit. You avoided the mall, but still prepared something of genuine meaning. You probably even saved a few bucks. This party can also come in the form of a craft party, floral decoration party, or any other group-effort gift preparation forum.

Please, share with me your stories of how you get it all done!

Monday, September 27, 2010

Hugs are Everywhere

What do you think of when you hear the word "Hug?" Do you think of an embrace? Do you think of a couple in love, seeing each other for the first time in an airport after one of them returns from a trip? Or do you think of a young child being held by their parent after scraping a knee?

Do you ever think that a hug can mean so much more than these things? Do you realize that a hug can create a mood, calm a temper, raise a spirit, or even change a life?

I had a boy friend (no, not boyfriend!) in high school who could light up my day by the way he hugged me in the quad. It didn't matter what was going on in my dramatic teenage life. If Tyler hugged me, I always felt better. Those feelings generated so many thoughts and emotions, that I carry those memories with me, even 20+ years later. It has been a true source of inspiration for me throughout the years.

You've all heard the phrase, "Hug a Tree" right? Well, hugs come in many forms. We can hug by recycling to help preserve our planet. We can hug by turning off the television and reading our child a book. We can hug by supporting a friend in need. We can hug simply by being present in a person's life.

So, how is this site going to work?
We all have life experiences. We all have struggles. We are not alone. This is a forum of support. I will begin with a topic, maybe a little background, or explanation how it relates to us, society, or just me. I will lead into a verification of fact by one of my "experts" and then into a question. I hope that you will feel empowered to join the conversation and even correct us when you feel we are in error of any statements.

Hugs are everywhere in our world. It is up to us to recognize them and their significance in our future. How do you hug?