A Sentimental Season
While you are surely ready to move on into next year with a wish for peace and normalcy, be still for a moment.
Set your New Year hats, streamers, and overflowing glasses of bubbly aside and remind yourself that the best part of each year is yet to come. You know, the holidays that fill our hearts with warmth and joy. We’re about to see a shimmer and a shine that have been missing all year.
Besides, we must come together (socially distanced, of course) and find some sentiment in all that has been consuming our lives. If anything, this year has made us more appreciative of life, love, and the freedom that comes with them. It is not unheard of that our lives must be turned upside down for them to be made whole again.
Show your appreciation.
Thanksgiving is always an excellent opportunity to express gratitude.
Essential workers. Nurses, doctors, police officers, EMTs, firefighters, grocery store clerks – and everyone else on the frontlines this year – risked their lives to save and protect ours. Let’s show them some appreciation! Teachers. Teachers worldwide had to learn how to run a classroom solely from a computer screen. Yet, despite the challenge, lessons were taught without skipping a beat. Let’s show them some appreciation!
Delivery drivers. When restaurants and stores closed or were hesitant to reopen, we could rest easy knowing that delivery drivers would bring us what we needed. Let’s show them some appreciation! Hairdressers and barbers. I know we have all seen those questionably attempted home haircuts during the lockdown. Let’s show them some appreciation!
It is easy to take for granted the things we have always had easy access to. This year has taught us to appreciate those things – and appreciate those who are willing to put their lives in danger to make our lives a bit more manageable.
They do it because it is their job.
They do it because it is their passion.
They do it because it is the right thing to do.
Don’t let them go unnoticed.
Honor important symbols of tradition and faith.
Suppose you are like most people, and spending time with loved ones has been sparse this year. With drive-by birthday parties and virtual graduations, our normal traditions have had to adapt. A worldwide pandemic and more may have changed life in 2020, but we need to hold on to our faith and honor our traditions. We need these more than ever right now – especially this time of year.
Special ornaments.
Some families have a tradition of acquiring a new ornament each year. You know, something that symbolizes it. Does your family do this? If so, why not spark some joy in the hearts of your loved ones by sending a special gift accompanied by a unique ornament? Even if annual ornaments are not a family tradition, this could be the year you start.
After all, it is the year in which we have learned to cherish many more aspects of life than we did just a few years ago.
Beautiful holiday ornament inspired by crystals.
Nativity scenes.
In tough times, our faith helps us stay intense and focused. It is the rock that we need to keep light in our lives rather than succumb to darkness. At this time of year, nativity scenes are
all around. And for good reason – it is the very reason we celebrate Christmas!
Let’s no longer take it for granted. Instead, let us make the nativity scene the main symbol of our holiday season. Doesn’t that sound like the best way to close out a rough year – with our rock front and center? A reminder of who is always in control – even when the world around us seems like it is spiraling out of
control.
Handwritten notes.
Thanks to email and social media, the idea of handwritten notes has long since disappeared. But doesn’t the thought of receiving a handwritten note from a loved one make you feel warm and cozy? Absolutely! And, you know what? You could give that, too. Beautiful stationery and matching envelopes are the perfect way to let your friends and family know you’ve been thinking about them.
Just because one apple is wrong, you don’t dismiss the whole orchard, right? Because the gratitude, love, and warmth you can spread can make all the difference in the world for those around you.
Are you up for the challenge? Let’s make it sparkle, shall we?
