Merry Christmas!

Well the eve of Christmas is almost upon us. Hope you all have your shopping done and menus all planned.

I personally take a different approach to Christmas and have done so for several years. I hope to lead by example and have more family and friends follow suit next year. Instead of giving small gifts to many friends and family - I make a large donation to a local charity. I choose Bissell Centre, but you can choose any that is close to your heart. They send out a card to my selected list saying "a donation has been made in your name" - so everyone wins here. People that need it most get some help - my shopping is done in one trip LOL - and my friends don't get something they may not want (certainly no need to exchange it on Boxing Day).

Check out their site if you want to know more about what Bissell does www.bissellcentre.org Click on the link to view the "Christmas Calatogue" to see how you can help too.

Another great thing to give is your time if you haven't got much money. I start each new year by serving dinner to over 1000 homeless and people below the poverty line on January 1st. When you see what it's like to have very little - you come away truly appreciating what you do have, let me tell you!

Lastly - please give blood. I plan on doing this too during my time off this season. Saves lives and only costs you a little of your time.

So what the holidays are about for me is not fancy gifts, spending lots of money, or impressing everyone with fancy parties or meals. To me it is about spending real time with those you love and giving each other the gift of love and sharing good times together. It is also about putting it in perspective, being truly grateful for the abundance we have, and giving back to those that have much less or nothing.

May you and yours have the Merriest Christmas ever!

Love and hugs
Darlene