What You Can Do To Make Your Holidays More Meaningful

The Manifesto Of Strength

This Holiday Season should be the most meaningful and fulfilling time of year. We should feel warm, loved, and above all, be happy.But studies show year after year that isn't always the case. While millions of people enjoy the holidays, many more start feeling down in the dumps. Why? There are several good reasons.The Christmas season in the United States became commercialized about 150 years ago when large stores realized they could pull customers in with big Christmas specials. Buying and giving gifts became a huge part of Christmas.All the gift buying could be your favorite part of the season, but a growing number of us report we spend too much, go into more debt, and don't feel all that great about it afterward.By January 1, you may feel like lots of good things were SUPPOSED to happen to you, but never did. The result can be an unpleasant case of the winter blues.Through all the hubub, you can forget the season is REALLY supposed to be about loving and helping others. A clergy person and charities will probably remind you loving others is what the holidays are about, but somehow that all gets lost in the rush to give gifts and party.My message to you this Holiday Season is to take a little time out of your very busy schedule to help someone in need. You do more good than you'll know, and YOU will feel great about it.This could be as simple as giving a few cans of food to your local food bank so a hungry family can eat, or leaving still wearable cloths at a drop box, or inviting an elderly or single acquaintance to share dinner with your family.The impact on these individuals in need can be vast.

Not only will people be getting the nutrition, clothing, and shelter they so often desperately need, they'll feel like someone cares.And knowing someone cares about you could well be the most important thing we can posses. Going through life knowing you're down and out and, even worse, no one cares, is a devastating thing that pushes people even lower.The holidays can worsen the situation by making people who are living alone feel even more alone. When you wake up on Christmas morning remembering when you had a family happily gathering around the tree, but now you have no one -- well, that's one of the hardest things in the world.I, along with helpful volunteers, run a coffeehouse ministry on Long Island, NY. Each Thanksgiving everyone comes down to help prepare dinner for those who would be ALONE on this important day. People stream in to be part of the event. You can't imagine how many people struggle and would have been by themselves..They leave here like "family."As Christmas and New Years approach, do what you can to help someone. I guarantee your holidays will be more meaningful.

How to Create the Most Memorable Photo Christmas Cards Received by ALL

Generic, store-bought, holiday greeting cards have served their purpose of sending a festive greeting to those we think about during this special time of year.  Please note that the key word here is ‘served’- past tense is used, for such cards will probably be seen quite soon on a shelf in the Smithsonian under the title, “Antique Holiday Greeting Cards”, as photo holiday greeting cards are taking over.

Amazing advances in computers and photography have made it easier that ever to snap the ideal photo to represent your family to those on your holiday card mailing list.  Digital cameras allow you to take the picture, view it, erase it and retake it within minutes, all before downloading it to your computer or printing it immediately through your printer.

Recent trends have changed from the traditional family photo with everyone dressed in their Sunday Best and set into a proper sort of pose into a more casual themed attire. A shot of everyone, including the dog, all wearing red, Santa-style hats and collarless red shirts create a more playful, everyday sort of look, showing the family as they typically are.

Creative Youth Ideas Christmas Collection

Each year, thousands upon thousands of would-be photo greeting card senders don’t get the chance, for they were completely unhappy with the finished product.  Maybe they tried to create it themselves on their PC and realized that they weren’t as computer savvy as they had thought (or at least hoped).  When it comes to this once a year symbol, an annual image of your family that will be sent across town and across the globe, there should be no messing around: leave it to the experts.

Of course, there are traits for you to look for in such a company, as you shouldn’t leave this important task to just anyone.  First, find a company that creates unique card templates each year- not one that just changes the year and leaves the same background.  Unless, of course, you choose to have the same template each year and simply change the year and photo for all to see exactly how your family is changing.

Make sure that you have options for the size of your finished card, as well as the finish (matte or gloss) involved.  A better company will have options for the paper other than the finishes, such as an option to have your cards be actual photographs using real photo paper that can be framed and/or scrap-booked by the recipient.

You’ve spent an entire year with your family, but not everyone else has had the privilege.  Creating memorable holiday photo greeting cards is one way to ensure a special place in the hearts of all who receive them.

Guidelines for Sending Business Christmas Cards

Whether you own a sole proprietorship or are the CEO of a Fortune 500 corporation, sending business Christmas cards can serve to boost your customer relations and ultimately improve your bottom line. About half of all businesses send holiday cards - sometimes with unintended negative consequences. Here are some guidelines to ensure that your thoughtful gesture will be interpreted in the best possible light.

Selecting the Right Card 

Every business has an image it portrays, whether through its logo, its branding efforts, or its marketing plan. The design of business holiday cards you select should reinforce that image. If, for example, you are a stockbroker, a Wall Street winter scene might be appropriate. On the other hand, if you are a pediatric dentist, more whimsical greeting cards are in order. For most businesses, and elegant and tasteful card is always appropriate.

When it comes to choosing a greeting card company, there are many online sources for business Christmas cards. Make sure to choose one that is well established and has a track record of satisfying customers. The best online greeting card companies will send you sample cards upon request, and offer personalization, free coordinating foil-lined envelopes, and printed envelopes.

When ordering business holiday cards, keep in mind that not everyone celebrates Christmas. A card expressing "season's greetings" or "warm holiday wishes" will prevent you from unintentionally offending those who aren't of the Christian faith.

Gluten Free Christmas Cookbook 

Sending Your Cards

In business, timing is everything. Although you have some leeway in sending business holiday cards, the rule of thumb is to send them between December 1 and December 15. If you're a business-to-business company, keep in mind that many businesses close or have reduced hours during the holiday season, so make sure that your card arrives in advance of the holidays.

In order to send your holiday cards out in a timely fashion, make sure to order them early. Personalized business Christmas cards can take a few weeks to produce, so try and place your order by mid-October.

The Personalized Touch

The purpose of sending business greeting cards is to engender warm feelings in the recipient. That won't happen if your Christmas cards have address labels and are run through a postage meter. Expend the extra effort and have someone on your staff (who has nice handwriting) address the envelopes by hand. In addition, use a postage stamp instead of a meter when applying postage.

In the same vein, although you should have your cards printed with the company's name, the cards should also be signed by hand. The best approach is to have those who most closely work with the recipient sign the card by hand. If yours is a small enterprise, have a card signing party one afternoon, and have each person on your staff sign each card. This will go a long way towards making a positive impression on the recipient.

Be a Gracious Recipient

There's little doubt that your company will also receive business holiday cards from your vendors and associates. Be a gracious recipient and display the cards in your workplace. It will not only bring a bit of holiday cheer to your office, but it will also please those who have a sent a card to you and see it displayed.