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Christmas can be like a blitz, and surviving it requires the strategy and cunning of a CEO. Moms are similar to a CEO in that we’re in charge of running the entire operation of Christmas. By the time the season is over, we’re totally worn out and realize that we spent more time in the kitchen rather than with our families. If you’d like to keep your holidays running smoothly, consider the following tips:

Set your priorities.

What matters to you the most? Knowing this helps you in budgeting, shopping, creating itineraries, and other tasks. If you are aware of what is more important to you, you’ll find it amazingly easy to discard the non-priority stuff. For example, if you’ve got a certain amount of your money set aside for buying a new couch, you won’t be enticed to overspend on non-priority items… Like those tempting little things near the cash register at the stores.

Calendar your events.

The holiday season is characterized by endless invitations from friends, clubs, organizations, and loved ones.  Wise moms set the family itinerary ahead of schedule, and setting the itinerary means all parties concerned are duly informed. This prevents conflicts with your personal and family members’ schedules. Also, you may want to set a cut-off date on accepting invitations. Otherwise, saying “yes” to every invitation and attending six parties a day will spoil your holidays rather than let you enjoy it!

Advanced menu planning is a must.

Planning the menu weeks in advance will cut out a considerable amount of your time and efforts. Menu planning includes going to the grocery store to buy ingredients, utensils for food preparation and presentation, time allotted for cooking, and limiting your entrees to what you can only actually consume. Cut corners and time by purchasing as much prepared food as you can.

Organize your gift-giving.

Before shopping for gifts, make a list of the people you’re sending gifts to. Instead of giving gifts to each person in a family, consider giving one gift to the whole family. Remember that the holiday spirit is all about thoughtfulness and can’t be gauged by price tags. Having a list will also keep you from being wasteful or impulsive buying.

Consider online shopping for practical reasons.

 The internet has almost everything that you want. Not only that, it is open 24/7, so you can shop the multitude of choices whenever, wherever. Many online retailers will wrap a gift before shipping, so you can have the gifts shipped directly to your loved ones.

Delegate tasks. 

We are not superwomen! Therefore, we must delegate. What’s great about delegating is that it cuts down your workload and encourages others to enjoy active participation. This makes gatherings more exciting and meaningful for everyone.

Think positively but always have a plan B. 

Christmas is a joyous season, and so when planning for your holidays, always think positively so that the nicest and best things can transpire. However, it’s always sensible to think of equally great alternatives, in case your original plans don’t happen.

Feel the love.

Finally, we should recognize that the most important survival secret to the holiday season is the spirit of love.  Love completes the whole package.

Hopefully, these tips will allow you to enjoy the holidays and let you actually spend it with your loved ones.

Carrie Chen is the VP forMarketing at Treetopia, the ultimate Christmas store for fun and funky artificial Christmas trees.

 

 

You may find your Christmas ornaments very eye-catching and tempting to touch. However, others besides you are attracted to your dazzling glitter ornaments, your satin red ribbons with lace trim, or those shimmering lights that gently wrap the Christmas tree. Yes, pets can easily be drawn to these dangling decorations and be tempted to play with them.

Pets can pose a threat to ornaments and decor, and the decor can pose a threat to pets. For one, Christmas lights run on electricity, and for obvious reasons, pets can be electrocuted if they start chewing on the lights. On the other hand, every time Fifi reaches for a low-hanging ornament on the Christmas tree, she’ll probably knock it right off and break it.

 

(Royalty free image found here.)

So how do you pet-proof your Christmas ornaments?  Below are several ways to make sure that you, your pets, and your decor can safely enjoy the Yuletide season.

Christmas Trees

Fresh trees need watering to prolong freshness. Some people add chemicals to the water that may be harmful to pets, which lead to vomiting and allergic reactions. Cover the tree stand that contains the water to prevent pets from drinking from it. Additionally, make sure that your tree has a sturdy foundation to avoid falling, in case your pet tries to grab one of the ornaments.

Holiday plants

You may not know this, but several holiday plants contain poisonous substances that may be harmful to pets. Dogs and cats are inquisitive characters, tasting and swallowing whatever they find tempting to eat. Poinsettias, holly, and other evergreens may look and smell yummy to pets, but we must make sure that they are placed beyond their reach to avoid accidental ingestion.

Lighting

Curious Fifi or Fido may find your light fixtures very attractive to play with, especially if you have the ones that flicker. Just like your holiday plants, install your Christmas lights snugly and keep the cords out of the reach of your pets. If this cannot be avoided, at least make sure that the lights are firmly attached, whether on a tree or on your roofline. Loose light strings are very attractive to cats and dogs. Turn them off if you’re not in the room to watch your pets. Just the same, do not leave lit candles alone in the room with your pets. A slight jab from your kitty can instantly start a fire.

Tinsels and other Christmas Ornaments

They are shiny, eye-catching, and dangerous to your pets. Glittery tinsels and ornaments can easily captivate your cat’s attention. Avoid using very small trinkets as Christmas ornaments that can accidentally be swallowed. Hang the breakable ornaments on the top portion of the tree where they cannot be reached by your playful pets. Tinsels and flocks on trees can be ingested by your pets, which can cause stomach problems. Plain ribbons are safer alternative, but make sure they are not dangling.

Edible items

Many people use edible ornaments to decorate their homes. Candies, cookies, and other sweets are perfect targets to pets who never seem satisfy their hunger. Besides, puppies and kitties have a very strong sense of smell, which is how they know if something is delectable or not to eat. Scrap the entire idea of using food as Christmas ornaments. Make sure all the holiday sweets are tightly sealed in appropriate containers and properly stored.

As you can see, it’s easy enough to maintain a pet-safe home for the holidays. Be aware of your pet’s behavior. Kittens and puppies are more playful than their adult counterparts. Give them pet-friendly toys and chews to focus their attention away from your ornaments. All in all, it is just a matter of common sense to enjoy a secured and pet-proof Christmas season!

Bio: Renee Bedford is a wife and mom to two wonderful kids and their silly dogs. She lives in Oregon with her family and works as a part-time marketing executive for an artificial Christmas tree company.

 

 

I heard a very disturbing rumor, Starbucks wants to limit laptop users in their coffee shops.  They are planning to cover electrical outlets to limit users to the life of their batteries on their laptops only.  I had to know, so I stopped into my local Starbucks and asked the management about the rumor. 

WHY ARE THEY DOING THIS TO THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS?

Unfortunately, I don’t believe this is just a rumor anymore.  I found a few articles that confirmed that this policy is being implemented in a few stores already.  The Time News Feed reports the following from an observer -

The socket block was first brought to light on the blog Starbucks Gossip, where a reader observed that outlets were being replaced with blank faceplates.

They have other confirmed reports that some of the New York locations have implemented this strategy to curb users from turning their shop into a work cubicle.  

Starbucks has answered the rumor on Starbucks Blocking Sockets on Reuters, they have some good reasoning and an interesting dilemna.

Their corporate policy is to say “YES” to their customers.

Unfortunately they can’t say yes to everyone.  Customers have been complaining about all the tables and chairs being filled for hours by people working.  They can’t find a place to sit, talk and enjoy their coffee and pastries.  They don’t want their local coffee house to turn into a workplace and cut out all of the other patrons. 

 It has even come to light that not everyone is being considerate of other patrons or the chain.  They are getting free refills on their coffees, free cups of water and sitting for hours on end taking up valuable space.  For a $1.85 they can sit all day working and not purchasing anything, no chain can last on this type of patronage.  Take this example -  My local Starbucks has 12 tables available for patrons.  If one person sits at each table and only purchases one coffee in four hours, that would allow for each table to turn over 2 more times in the day.  They would only make a gross income of approximately $66 a day.

Can any retail location survive on $66 a day before expenses?

Of course not, but Starbucks is willing to compromise with their patrons.  Instead of making this a corporate wide policy, they are leaving it up to the locations to decide.  In the true spirit of their company motto, they are willing to say yes to their customers.  All locations will be decided on a case by case basis whether or not to limit their laptop users. 

I had to know more about my local Starbucks, so I asked the manager how she felt.  First, it was news to her that Starbucks was even considering such a policy.  She is appreciative of her working customers, in fact she pointed out one of her patrons that had been there working since 6 am and it was already 10 am.  She embraces them and appreciates their business.  I am excited to know that this feeling is not contagious by shop owners and corporate. 

Be a good patron and fork over the dough for the privilege of unlimited use of their WIFI.

So run out to your local shop and make sure you show them your appreciation for not limiting your laptop use.  Encourage them with your patronage not to adopt this new policy.  Be a considerate patron and either fork out some bucks or limit your time.  I love blogging at Starbucks while enjoying my sinfully delicious Peppermint Mocha and vanilla scone!!! 

I am thankful for my local Starbucks!

What do you think about the new policy?  Have you had a problem with finding a table at your local coffee shop?  Do you like to work at Starbucks?  Why?  Share your stories…..

By Shannon Henrici who is enjoying a Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin as I write this post.  Lover of Starbucks, appreciative of business owners and a gracious customer.

 

I just read “Change the World, Make Money, or Be Happy” on entrepreMusings.com.  It really got me thinking.  Aruni, poses the question

 ”Does anyone have all three?” 

Media loves to say “Yes!”  They even provide examples of celebrities for us to follow to find out how to get all three – Oprah Winfrey, Steve Jobs, Madonna, Lady Ga Ga, and so on.  Many of these celebrities have personal struggles that are kept quiet, so as not to tarnish the image of “having it all”.  American society has left us believing that if you can obtain fame and fortune, you will find happiness and be able to change the world.  Can you show me a true example?  I can’t think of one.

Growing up the message repeated over and over to me was “Make lots of money and you will be able to afford to have anything you want!”  In my pursuit of this goal, I found nothing but unhappiness. 

Is money everything? 

Are the rich the only happy people in the world? 

 I think not! 

Society defines riches as a monetary value.  There is no end goal when you try to be as rich as you can be, which means you will never find the reward of reaching the goal.  Money can also come and go very quickly, it isn’t always the answer to everything.  I define RICHNESS in a different measure.  If I am able to pay my bills and live a fulfilled life, I will be rich. 

One of the most freeing moments in my life was when I had nothing.  I won’t say I wasn’t scared, I WAS!  Being self employed, my income was completely dependent on my ability to work.  If I got sick, I didn’t get paid.  During this time, my husband left and I was on my own for real!  No one to blame for things not working out.  You never know your capabilities until you test them. 

As much as I was scared about paying my bills, I was truly HAPPY. 

Why? (you ask)

It took stripping off all society’s expectations of success, finding my inner strength, relying on my talents – and LOVING myself!  I am and never will be RICH by society’s standards.  I am HAPPY!  I have my bad days just like everyone else.  The difference in happiness and down days is what you do to move on.  If you dwell on all the bad moments in life, you will be miserable forever.

When you think about Good Samaritans or people who have made real changes in the world, you don’t focus on how much money they had.  

Mother Theresa wasn’t RICH!

The big world changers didn’t do it for fame and fortune.  They wanted to make a difference in the lives of people.  It doesn’t take a fortune to make changes.  Everything in life starts with just one step.  We all know this, but it is hard to remember sometimes.  Maybe setting our goals a little smaller.  Instead of trying to be the next Martin Luther King we should focus on just changing our small little area of the world. 

Everyone needs a helping hand once in awhile! 

In conclusion, is it possible to do all three things – CHANGE THE WORLD, HAVE RICHES, AND BE HAPPY? If I have two of these three, then I will be rich.  True happiness is found inside.  Feeding our soul comes from enriching our lives, which includes giving back.  With these two goals accomplished, my riches will come in the form of a full and rewarding life.  Sure, I will need enough money to pay my bills, but as long as“I am doing what I love the money will follow!”

If you are doing what you love, you will never work another day in your life.

Do you think it is possible to have all three?  How would you suggest finding them in your life?  If you had to choose one of the three which would you choose and why?

 By Shannon Henrici, a mom trying to find her place in the world.  Enjoying the adventures in life and savoring every moment.  Living richly, laughing often, and loving deeply!

 

 

 

Do you remember the first time someone called you a name? What about the first time your childhood friend told you that she didn’t want to be your friend anymore? These scenarios are very real in every child’s memories. They can shape or even destroy their future.

As a mother of a three year old, I don’t look forward to these trials of life for her. Nothing makes a parent feel more helpless than to watch their little ones hurt and there is nothing they can do to change it. As much as we want to go punch the little girl in the eye that said your daughter has a funny nose and she can’t be her friend, you can’t!

What do we do? How can we help ease the pain, aside from never letting them leave the house? Signe Whitson, LSW has been answering these questions for parents for over twelve years. As a mother of two little girls and a family therapist, she has provided advice for mothers like us who want to help our children through this facts of life, people can be MEAN!

Read her advice on bullying and check out her recently published book, Friendship and Other Weapons: Group Activities to Help Young Girls Aged 5-11 to Cope With Bullying. She is my “go-to” person, in my defense against the world for my child.