2017 Home for the Holidays

Page 12 2017 Home for the Holidays LINCOLN DAILY NEWS November 22, 2017 4. Volunteer for an animal shelter, nursing home, orphanage, soup kitchen, or charitable organization, which are always in need of extra help over the holidays. “It is better to give than to receive” is an old saying with ancient roots from the Bible, Torah, and the Quran, all encouraging individuals to help others. Helping others has been proven to relieve stress in the body and allows you to put others first, creating a feeling of lasting joy. Maybe, just maybe, there are some simple ways to find happiness in your holiday: 1. Start preparing early for the holidays. Fill your home with the scents of the holidays: pumpkin and apple cider for Thanksgiving, pine and gingerbread or cinnamon rolls for Christmas, and champagne and chocolate for New Years. Watch movies like Holiday Inn, A Christmas Story, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Polar Express, or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer; the list is endless. 2. Accomplish something with your family or friends. It can be as easy as putting a jigsaw puzzle together. Find a safe area to leave it out so that every time someone walks by they can put a piece or two in place. In no time the puzzle will be something everyone can enjoy. 3. Make simple traditions that your family can share: Wearing pajamas while you survey Christmas lights around the community, reading a favorite Christmas book like The Polar Express before opening presents, reading the account of the Nativity before the Christmas meal, or singing Christmas carols to wake up the kids on Christmas morning. 4. Holidays can be stressful, and we often make a habit of blaming others for our unhappiness. Instead, set an expectation to be happy. Let go of obligation and guilt, create a gratitude journal, and set your problems aside for a little bit. Construct a “Fun Things to Do” advent calendar especially for your loved ones that focuses on kindness, laughter and love. CONTINUED ===