The Reasons...

Hi again!
Well, as this season gets rolling, I have been thinking about some of the reasons I love Christmas so much. Obviously, being Care'n Presents, I love the presents! Not the getting but the giving! There's nothing like the fun of making cookies, candy or other little goodies to give to friends and family. On top of that I LOVE wrapping gifts! I think that is at least half of the fun!  
And yes! I love Living Christmas trees! I love the smell, lighting the lights, and I especially love having a live tree inside my house around the holidays. It's something you can care for, talk to, sing to! Okay, well, the talking and singing thing is probably just me, but still...you can if you want to, and I highly recommend it. It's really good stress relief. I guarantee you, the tree will not give you any lip, or argue, or whine. He or she will just listen to your troubles, breathe in your stress, and in return, give you wonderful fresh oxygen. The Living Christmas elves try and relieve a little of your stress too, by delivering your tree right to your house, and picking it up afterwards. You don't have to run around to the lots, or strap one to the roof of your car. Even better, you don't have to fight with one of those water tray thingies, while you make a brave, yet futile attempt to get the tree to stand up straight. Right there, knowing I can avoid that, that takes me right to my happy place. Something pleasant to think about this holiday season, don't you think?

Well it's getting busy at The Workshop, so I better scurry. 

Merry Merry!

Care'n Presents

Pine and Dandy

Wow! It's already October!
Care'n Presents, where have you been?? you may be asking yourself. Well, I'm officially defrosted from my off season time at the North Pole. For that matter, the California weather recently has gone over and above the simple act of defrosting, and has moved into roasting. And let me tell you, "Roasted Elf" is not a pretty dish.  

So enough about me, how are you all? Looking forward to another fun "Living Christmas"?

I can tell you, that here at The Workshop, things are already abuzz. Orders are pouring in, and we are getting the trees "spruced" up. They'll be looking "pine" and dandy in no time.

I've been at the lot, sorting out all the Farmers' Market and event stuff; washing the banners and tree skirts, so everything is sparkling clean and ready to go.  I just can't wait to get out there. I don't get out much in the off season, so it's really exciting for me.  Hopefully, I'll get to meet some of you!

Well, just thought I'd say hello. More to come soon!

Merry Merry!


Care'n Presents                    

It's Officially the Holiday Season!

I attended an event with my fellow elf Gregnog yesterday at Lucky Brand Headquarters. It was pretty cool and the people there were so nice! It did leave me a little...tuckered out, so I apologize for once again being behind on my posts. Since I need to catch up on my sugar plum visions, I'll be brief today.


Day 55 - Sorry, but I'm just too excited to get to the next few things on the list...

Day 54 -  Hope you had a Happy Halloween! I like to think of Halloween as the Gateway holiday: once we get past it, it's time to start thinking MORE about Christmas!! (I know there are some hardcore Halloween people out there, but hey, I'm an elf, what do you expect?)

Day 53 - November is finally here!! Let's just celebrate, shall we? Break out the eggnog, it's gonna' be a great weekend!!

Day 52 - All right. You may have noticed that my entries are a lot shorter than usual, but let's face it, it's getting closer to Christmas and The Workshop has become a beehive of activity! There is so much to do! Scotty Claus is a blur. I have to tackle him to slow him down long enough to ask a question.  Hey, that can be my list item today: think of a great question for Scotty Claus. I, of course, have a list of inquiries, but if you think of anything, feel free to contact me on Facebook and I'll see if I can get an answer for you.  

Meanwhile...         

Merry Merry!

Care'n Presents

Time to Smile!

Scotty Claus had called some of us elves together for a team meeting at The Workshop. Close to the end of the meeting an alarm on his cell phone rang. He smiled, looked at me and said "Smile!" I smiled and looked at him like ?????  He told me that was his smile alarm. Every day at 3:00 it reminds him to smile. I LOVE that. I need to do that. So on the Christmas List today...

Day 68 - Remind yourself to smile. The holidays (or everyday for some people) can be stressful. It's easy to get into a rut where you're just trying to survive. Believe me, life is way too short to just survive. We have to live. We have to smile. We have to laugh so hard it hurts sometimes. So set an alarm, or set aside a certain time of day, everyday...to just smile. Think of someone you love. Think of a happy memory. Think of a silly face. Just don't forget to smile.  :)

Scotty Claus and me!

Merry Merry!!

Care'n Presents

Still looking...

Okay, remember yesterday I said I was going to look for a "cause", well I'm still looking, but I did find something really cool so that's what I'm putting on my list today.

Day 70 - Operation Christmas Cards. You may have seen the post I asked Scotty Claus if I could put on our Facebook page, but in case you didn't, let me tell you about it.
Since many of our troops get limited mail, and Christmas is a tough time to be away from home as it is, this is a program to send heartfelt cards to those who are serving our country.  Home-made cards are encouraged over store bought, but either is okay. The whole program is spelled out on their site, so check it out:

http://www.operationchristmascard.org/Participation_Info.html

















I can't wait to get my crayons out, and my scissors and glue...I'm thinking I can even recycle parts of old cards and sparkle them up with glitter or something.  Then I'll write a nice letter saying Merry Christmas and thanking them for the job they do. I'm so excited about this, my pointy ears are twitching!!  Hope you send a few too! The address is on the site. Have fun and make a soldier's holidays a little more cheerful.

Merry Merry!

Care'n Presents

Save Up Your Pennies...

Day 71 - These days, every penny counts, and we all look to save where we can. If at all possible, this is the time I try to start stashing away a little Christmas money, so that when it's time to go shopping it's available.  Even if I am making cookies for everyone on my list, I still have to buy the ingredients. 

I'm not saying that you have to spend money to have a wonderful Christmas. Not at all. In fact, Scotty Claus likes to give his time and energy to worthy organizations (like the Junior League of Orange County). This year, I'd like to save my pennies, and maybe ask my friends to also, to give to a Veteran's group, or Children's charity. Hmmm...I think that's what tomorrow's list item will be...find a cause.  :) I'll let you know how that works out.


Merry Merry!!

Care'n Presents

Is 7 Your Lucky Number? How About 77?

Let's cut to the chase. Who has time for chit chat? Okay, who am I kidding? Without chit chat, what kind of elf would I be?  Typing, on the other hand, takes time, so on that note, I better get to it. 

Day 77 - Today, I'm going to start on 
my gift list. Every year I promise myself I'm going to do my Christmas shopping early, and every year I'm out on the week before Christmas, running around like every other crazy person who is trying to do it at the last minute. You'd think I'd know better. What if Scotty Claus waited until the last minute to deliver trees? Perish the thought!! 

So...item on my list:  start another list. I may not finish it today, but this way hopefully I won't forget anyone. There are so many people that I want to somehow at least say "Thank you" to.  If I wait until the last minute, those people are the first to be crossed off for lack of time. Not this year, by golly.  

You know how they say it's the thought that counts? I believe that. I also believe that gifts should come from the heart. I wouldn't want someone to give me something out of obligation, or guilt or something silly like that. My favorite gift is one that comes out of the blue from someone who says "I saw this and I just had to get it! It made me think of you." Those are my favorite gifts to give too. I can't always find those types of things for everyone, but when all else fails, nobody seems disappointed when I give them cookies...baked with love. So like I said: I better get to it!


Merry Merry!

Care'n Presents