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

Put Your Merry Where Your Mouth is

Hi Friends!
For those of you who follow this blog (all...7 of you) you may have noticed that I've been M.I.A. This is due in part to the fact that I've been working on the tree adoptions this season for The Living Christmas Company. It's a crazy job, but somebody has to do it, and who's crazier than me? Don't answer that. (I can see you out there...shaking your heads..."Nope, can't think of anyone...")
I do feel a little bad about cutting my "Christmas List" short, but what was I thinking? Maybe next year I'll write it up in...June. That could work. 
The other thing I did, which you may have seen on my Facebook page was to have a "Giving Get Together". Remember I said I wanted to? This is a great season to follow through on things. I know it's hard. Believe me, I've been typing like a nervous Marconi operator in a sinking ship. The emails flood in faster than I can answer them. Of course that may be because there's about 300 adoption customers and one of me, but I digress.  Honestly, I'm having a great time. I love seeing the names people have picked out for their trees, and sometimes they even tell me the story behind it.

The point is, that once in a while. you have to take a break. I chose to throw a party of sorts, and at the same time, I invited everyone to help make Christmas cards for our military. You might think, wow, I'm invited to go to a party and you want me to...what? I'll tell you what, whatever anyone thought coming to my house that day, they left with smiles on their faces. They started by telling me that they didn't have a creative bone in their body and by the end of the night they were picking up what they'd just made saying "Hey, this one's not bad!"  I mean seriously, how often do we (adults) get to do arts and crafts?
Now the kids...they don't worry about perfection. One little girl who came made about 10 cards I think. She went to town! The great thing is that when you get a homemade card, especially from a child, but even from an adult, you aren't thinking "Wow, I guess it's okay, but they colored outside the lines right there, and oh, there's a smudge of glue stick by the corner." No, you look at it and know that someone took the time to make something JUST FOR YOU. It was made from the heart...and was offered in hopes that it would touch yours.
So Friends, put your Merry were your mouth is. Make it your goal, even if it's just for one day, to make someone, somewhere, smile. Make a card for a soldier, call up a friend, donate to a food drive, or just be patient with the crazy elf on the phone...she's doing the best she can. 

Merry, Merry


Care'n Presents

The Countdown Continues...

Hello Friends! Well, I'm a little behind again. As we get closer to Christmas I will be getting busier and busier, but I will try my best to keep up with my posts! (For the seven or eight of you who actually read them, lol)  So, without further ado...

Day 59 - Try something new. Anything. Want to taste a new flavor? Try a color you always thought would be too daring! Pick a new route for your evening walk. What does this have to do with Christmas? I'm so glad you asked!  Most people have traditions at Christmas, which is good, but sometimes we feel like we can't alter those traditions without the sky falling or something. We need to push ourselves to expand our world and look at things differently once in a while. Take...oh...Christmas trees for example. (You knew that was coming.) Most people are content with having the same artificial tree they had last year, or strapping that cut tree to the top of the car and having it in their house for a while.  I'm certainly not knocking tradition, but how about we think about something new?  Try a living tree!  At least think about it. Check out livingchristmas.com and just think about it. A little note: our new and improved site should be up and running on Nov. 1! So you can just mull it over in your head until then. I love mulling, don't you?

...or you can do a tree dance like Mr. Tree!

Day 58 - Make up your own elf dance! Have fun! Blow off a little steam, or if you don't have any steam, just get some exercise in a fun way. Get some photos of yourself and go to  http://www.elfyourself.com/. Be silly, because this is the time of year to do it. 


Day 57 - If you haven't done it yet, it's not too late to do a little purging. Go through a few drawers, the closet, the garage, wherever things have collected. Take stuff you don't need to your favorite charity like AmVets, or Goodwill. You will be helping yourself have a less cluttered existance, and help others at the same time. Win-Win.

Day 56 - Make sure you have some Halloween candy for Thursday night. If you haven't done it yet, you are lagging! I just got mine yesterday, who am I to talk? I am a little more in tune to Christmas though, so that's my excuse, and I'm stickin' to it. 

Sometimes We Need a Little Christmas...

As I sit here at my computer, I can't think of a thing to write. This is odd, because most of the time, I can't stop my fingers from typing.  Today, the weather is overcast, and it seems more like winter is on the way. This is the kind of weather that I just want to stay inside, bake cookies and drink hot cocoa. It's Christmas movie weather.

Day 61 - I know we're still a little early, but sometimes I need a little Christmas at other times during the year. This is one of those times. So sneak off by yourself if you have to, and watch one of your favorite Christmas movies. I say favorite because you may want to watch it again closer to Christmas. Or get one of those movies that just has Christmas in the background. Get a hot cup of cocoa, coffee or tea, and let yourself feel good for a while. Imagine how nice it will be when it is closer to Christmas and you can sit in the living room, watching your movies, with your Living Christmas Tree in the corner all lit up and decorated. Nice thought, huh?

Merry Merry,

Care'n Presents

Spending a Little Time

We all know how to spend money. Some of us more than others, lol. Sometimes it's better to spend time, than money, but most times it's harder to do. I know I've had similar items on my list so far, but this sort of thing is really important and so easy to let go of for most of us. So...

Day 63 - Spend some time with a loved one. No time? Find some, I'm sure there's a little around you somewhere. Even if all you do is sit together and watch TV, or go for a quick walk around the block, or go to a juice bar and stock up on healthy stuff (not something I would do of course. I consider candy corn a vegetable). The amount of time isn't necessarily important, but the quality is. I'm not saying you have to do something spectacular, but merely that you spend time letting that person know that they are important to you. It will lift their spirits and yours too.

Day 62 - Do something on your "to do" list. We all have that list of things, whether mentally or actually down on paper, that we keep saying we're going to do when we get around to it. So here you go:

 

 

 

It's even a Christmassy one. So think of one of those things you've been putting off, and take a little time to just do it. You'll feel better knowing it's taken care of.  Don't let it be that thing that pops up in the middle of the holidays that you "should've done" before then.  Before it gets crazy(er) - do it. Oh, and if it's on your list to order a Living Christmas Tree, you might want to do that soon too.  Just a thought.

 

 

Merry Merry,

 

Care'n Presents



photo: www.geocaching.com

Organize!

What a busy weekend I had! Lauren Peace had a birthday, so of course we had to have a big party! She turned 21, which means she gets to have some of the "special" eggnog this year, ha ha.  Most of my list items fall into the same category, so today, I'll get right to it.

Day 67 Organize your address book. If you are like me, you're address book is filled with little scraps of paper that are just slipped in to remind me to change or ad someone's address. What's in the book tends to have been crossed out several times and now I hardly know which phone number, address, or e-mail is correct.  It may be time to get a new address book, or index file box, or maybe just transfer them into your computer, where future changes can be easily and cleanly accomplished. One way or another, it's time to clear out the old, input the new, or maybe just make it easier to read. You don't want to be struggling to read things while you are sending cards out later. It'll give you a headache.

Day 66 Organize your closet.  Whether or not you have kids, you may be needing a little extra storage space soon. If you are one of those people who goes Christmas shopping early, or even if you aren't, You need a central place to store the gifts. Get rid of those old sweaters you haven't worn in ages, or the empty shoeboxes from your last pair of shoes. Make some space. It's so frustrating when we get close to Christmas and I know I've gotten something for someone special, only to realize I have absolutely no idea where I put it. (Don't laugh, I know everyone's done it at some point.) Sometimes all you have to do is make sure everything is folded up and put in its proper place. Maybe you'll find those earrings you lost last month.

Day 65 Organize your desk.  If you have one, go through your desk. Throw away those old receipts from fast food places you now regret going to, and crumpled up phone messages. Put all those "BoxTops for Education" coupons into an envelope. File away bills that have been paid. Whatever you have to do to clean it all out. The holidays get crazy. The best way to avoid the clutter later, is to start with a fresh slate. Oh, but make sure you leave that little piece of paper that says: order tree from livingchristmas.com! We wouldn't want you to forget that one. :)

Day 64 Take a break. That's what I'm doing today. Actually I'm still recovering from Lauren Peace's birthday. Not because of well, too much eggnog or anything, but hey, throwing a party is a lot of work. My little elf body is tired!!


I'll be back tomorrow, with something new. At least that's the plan. Smile!


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

A Bedtime Story

Day 72 - Start your holiday reading. If you are anything like me, you have about as much free time as a stick bug has muscles. This time of year however, I always seem to be a little more optimistic than usual (or maybe just crazier), and I start thinking that maybe I can read a whole book. It just so happens that I have a big collection of Christmas stories too. Go figure, right? No, they are not all children's books. Okay, you're right, most of them are, but I digress.
 
So...I'm not saying it has to be a Christmas book, or story. Any old reading material will do. The point is to make sure to make time for yourself. Shut out the world for a little while, and go to a new one through words, and your imagination. You remember having an imagination, don't you? Oh, and if you're sitting there thinking: "Books? Who reads books anymore? I guess I can get something on my tablet..." then don't even talk to me, you're making me feel OLD.
 

 

 

 

Merry Merry!!

 
 Care'n Presents
 
 
Photo: www.greatnewbooks.org (Check out the site: recommendations on "great books"!)

Getting closer!

Wow! Now that we're in October, it really seems like Christmas is around the corner. Okay, maybe not for all of you, but for us here at The Workshop, we have to be ready a few weeks before with our Living Christmas tree deliveries! Our elves and reindeer have to organize the trees and the orders so everyone gets the right tree! It's a lot of work! Scotty Claus maps out the routes so that the drivers are being as efficient as possible, and we're leaving as small a "footprint" as we can.  I try and stay out of the way by hanging out at the Farmer's Markets where I get to meet lots of people, smile all day, take even more orders, and give Scotty, the other elves, and the reindeer still more work to do. It's a really good thing we love our work, or I would not be a very popular elf. ;)

So where were we? Oh yes...

Day 80 - Breathe. I know we all do that every day, but sometimes you have to think about taking a deep breath. Breathe in. Breathe out. Relax. Seriously. That guy who just cut you off on the freeway is not worth any extra stress. Breathe in. Breathe out. Have a nice day, Buddy. Hopefully you won't hurt yourself or anyone else while you weave in and out of traffic. Personally, I'd really like to be alive when I get home.

Day 79 - Go to livingchristmas.com and decide which type of tree you'd like. We have a few different kinds and they are not the same old varieties you'll find at the lots. We have pictures you can look at and find the right one for you and/or your family.

Day 78 - Face the week with a smile! I know Mondays can be a drag for some people, but if we all made an effort to smile at one person it might just make them smile and it could cause an avalanche of smiles! Who knows?


All right. So breathe, pick out a tree and smile! It's gonna' be a great week!!


Merry Merry!

Care'n Presents

Busy, Busy, Busy

I can't help it! I'm a busy little elf. What can I say? Today, however I am caught up.


Day 89 - Enjoy something green. Maybe for you it's Kermit the Frog. For me, it's a Christmas tree. Since there aren't a whole lot of Christmas trees around yet, I'll settle for any tree. Step away from your computer and go outside. Appreciate whatever nature you can find. Breathe it in.

Day 88 - Look in your closet for red and green items. I don't know about you, but being an elf, I can't very well wait until December to find something festive to wear. Granted, being an elf, most of my clothes are red and green, and some even have jingly things on them, but still, I need to make sure they are in good shape and ready to wear this season!

Day 87 - Give someone a hug. Did I say that one already? Well, you can never give out too many hugs, right?

Day 86 - Check out our Christmas ornaments on livingchristmas.com. We have some really beautiful recycled ones, and lots of Fair Trade ornaments from exotic places like Peru and Tibet.

Day 85 - While you are there, check and see what kind of tree you'd like this year, unless of course you have adopted one from last year. If you don't see your adopted tree, don't worry, and elves are working hard to get everything organized. We recently moved all our trees from one lot to another one AND The Workshop has moved too. What a year, huh?

Day 84 - Call a friend. Ask them out for a cup of coffee, or a soda, or lunch. We all say: "We have to get together!" The problem is, then we get busy with, well, life, and these things tend to be a low priority. Push it to the top. Having friends takes time, but it's well worth it.

Day 83 - Clean the house. I mean really clean. As we get closer and closer to the holidays, things get busy. wouldn't it be nice to have a fresh start on it all? Think of it as Spring Cleaning...in the Fall. :)

Day 82 - Rub your pointy ears. Wait, you don't have pointy ears? Oh, that's right. I'm just so used to most of the people I know having them...well, rub your roundy ears then. Why? I don't know. I heard that it's lucky, or something. Can't hurt.

Day 81 - TODAY!  Wow, I'm caught up (for the moment). Today I want to make up my holiday calendar. We all know that things get a little crazy during the holidays. We all schedule way too many things and get way too stressed out about everything. So I make a calendar. If there's too much, I try and figure out if I can let something go. If there's nothing I really can let go, I make sure to schedule in some restful moments in between. Going shopping all day? Decide to stop at some point for a little "me" time.  Cleaning the house? Put some fun music on and dance while you work.

Well, there you go. Wow. tomorrow it will only be 80 days until Christmas!! Part of me can't wait, the other part wants to make every moment last. This can be a great time of year. Don't let it get so busy, that it's no fun any more. Be a kid, or better yet...an elf.


Merry Merry!

Care'n Presents

 

Oops!

Well, ha ha, okay...this past week was even busier than I expected. but once again, I am prepared to catch up with my list of things to do before Christmas! I'll do half today and half tomorrow. No really, I will. Cross my pointy ears!

Day 94 -  Stores, believe it or not, are already putting out Christmas decorations. One of my favorite things to do at Christmas is to go window shopping! I love to look at all the decorations and ornaments and lights! It puts me in the mood. I don't have to buy anything,I just enjoy the view. Considering most people won't be putting up their own lights for another month and a half, this works for the time being.

Day 93 - Practice a little stress relief: Go to the "99 cent store" and get a coloring book and crayons. Then color away! It's the cheapest therapy you will ever experience, and there are no bad side affects!

Day 92 - Sing a song to yourself! It doesn't have to be a Christmas song (although, those are the best kind!) As Buddy the Elf would say: "The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear." Even if you don't sing loud, it can still make you feel good.

Day 91 - Find some old Christmas cards and find ways to recycle them: you can make new cards with them, picture frames, coasters, decorations, or gift tags for your Christmas presents!

Day 90 - Do something nice for a stranger. Open the door, help them pick up something they dropped, or just smile at them. Sometimes a smile from a stranger is just the thing that will lift someone's spirits.


The rest, with any luck, I will type up after my work is done, tomorrow.  I will be moving some ornaments and gift wrap and other fun stuff to The Workshop so they will be ready whenever someone orders them. AND...in case you are wondering you can order really super cool stuff from our website:

livingchristmas.com

Meanwhile...
Merry Merry!

Care'n Presents