Candle Order
December
2009
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Hope 1-5
Peace 6-12
Love 13-19
Joy 20-24
Light 25
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What's New
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Hot off the press!
Check out our new cover The Advent Bag and Box Tradition book tells the story of how the Tradition evolved and shares everything you need to know to create this tradition in your home. It gently weaves anecdotes and stories with valuable insight and encouragement for parents seeking to bring more meaning and family connection to the Christmas Season! Click here to order your copy now! Gifts Truly Matter8 cards that put the focus on giving intangible gifts like
encouragement, appreciation, and attention. Great for adults and teens! Click here to order now! |
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Dear Friends and Families,
The first day of Advent is only one week away!
I must admit when I realized this it took my breath away - but it only lasted for a second! Years ago a wise person gave me the three golden keys to staying stress free: Simplify, Delegate then Eliminate.
In accordance with my commitment to live stress-free during the Holidays, I'm simplifying by letting the canned pumpkin sit on the shelf and buying the pies for Thanksgiving. I'm delegating the making of the turkey brine to my vegetarian son and I'm eliminating the need to get the leaves raked up 'cause I'm not in the mood to be a nag. So there it is! Our Thanksgiving may not be picture perfect but it will be joyful because I will be in a good mood.
I encourage you to resist those desires for the picture-perfect holidays and use these three golden keys to stay stress-free and joy-filled. In return, you will discover that, despite what the magazines and ads want you to believe, connecting with family is not dependent on decorations, homemade pies or even a clean yard. Connection happens best when we are stress-free and able to laugh while enjoying life just the way it is!
But what if panic, or it's little cousin, anxiety, gripped tight in your chest after realizing the first day of Advent is only seven days away? The article Four Easy Steps & Ready to Go will calm you right down and get your breath flowing again.
Would you like your Daily Readings Delivered to You?
I'm not guaranteeing my technical skills are up to this BUT if receiving the Daily Readings in your inbox would be of help to you, I'll do my best to make it happen. Click on this link: Daily Readings and enter your email address to sign up or update your profile.
Radio Interview! I'll be a guest on the Unity.FM radio show "Family Matters" on Thursday, December 3rd. Go online to Unity.FM to listen live at 2:00 pm EST, 11:00 am PST. And last but not least, check out my Advent Bag and Box Blog for more ideas, suggestions and to share comments about your experience. Wishing you a stress-free and joy-filled Thanksgiving, Caren Feel free to contact me through my website or my Blog |
Four Easy Steps et voila! You're Ready to Go!
1) Gather your basic supplies.* Candles, candle-holders, matches/lighter, and Candle-Snuffer:
As you go searching through cupboards for those Thanksgiving tablecloths and table decorations, pull out the candle-holders you plan on using for this year's Advent and see if you have any fresh candles that fit. While you're at it, keep an eye out for matches or a butane lighter that works. If any of these items are missing, pick up the five candles and the extra matches or lighter you'll need the next time you're at the grocery store.
Can't find your Snuffer or don't have one? Then eliminate it. It's not necessary. Blowing out candles is easy and free!
* An actual Advent Wreath is optional. Beautiful but optional. If you have a lot on your plate, let it go. (I haven't used one in years!)
2) Choose / Find your Advent Bag or Box.
If this is your first year, try choosing something unique that resonates with your personality. It could be quirky and funky; perhaps a colored
sock, a lunch bag, or a tea pot. Or, If you prefer elegance, choose something beautiful and special such as a velvet bag or lacquered box.
If you
can't find your bag from last year, or remember where you stored it, no worries! You'll find it when you
pull out the Christmas Decorations later in the month.
For now,
simplify, anything will do!
Perfectionism is not a desirable
quality here. Ingenuity and 'going with the flow' are the qualities
that will keep your Advent experience fun and stress-free.
Use the Daily Readings from my website! They have been
designed specifically to help facilitate sharing and make this part of the Tradition very simple. You may want to
delegate someone the responsibility for printing the
reading each day. Or, if it's been a long day and the printer's not working,
do as our eco-conscious family friends did last year and
read directly from the computer. It saves paper and the stress of waiting for the printer to print. If you choose to use a book or resource that is uniquely inspiring for you, find it and place it with your supplies. If you belong to a religious organization, your church probably has a booklet of Advent Readings you can use. Pick one up while you're at church this weekend.
4) Choose your first 2 or 3 Activity Cards ... or put all your cards in the Advent Bag!
- If you're a planner your cards are already chosen and neatly ordered or tucked into numbered envelopes. You are ready!
- If you're a free spirit who enjoys the spontaneity of choosing a card randomly each day, now is the time to put all the Activity Cards, or the 25 you've chosen for this year, in the bag. And now you, like the planner, are also ready.
- If you prefer to be somewhere in-between the organized planner and the free-spirit, or if you are a planner type who has had no time to plan, we are about to fly by the seat of our pants. Here are some suggestion to keep the flying fun and keep it simple:
- Lay the cards out in front of you, browse through looking for ones that fit your mood.
- Choose the one(s) for any given day, or the next few days, that feels most fun and easy for you.
- When it's convenient, pick up supplies to have on hand for the Activities you know you'll do at some point. Candies for Treats to Share, Dollars for Drop a Dollar, Appreciation Cards for I Appreciate You Notes, etc..
- Remember, just because it's in the bag doesn't mean it has to be done the next day. Put in cards like, Get the Tree, Go see the Lights, Movie Day or Choose from the Giving Tree and discuss when and where to do them.
- If you want a specific plan try these as your first few cards
- December 1 - Let's Say a Prayer or Send a Wish to Someone
- December 2 - Give to the Food Bank
- December 3 - Let's Go Get the Tree
- December 4 - Treats to Share
- December 5 - Customize one of the blank cards to say: It's Time to Make Your Christmas List!
et Voila!
You are now ready to have the magic of the Advent Bag and Box Tradition enter your home!
Remember, Keep it Simple, Make it Fun!!
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Host a Home Party Demonstration 
Home Parties are are fun, informative, inspiring and a wonderful way to experience the magic the Advent Bag and Box Tradition creates in your home.
If you live in Oregon or Washington you can schedule a Home Party for November or December.
For more information on hosting a Home Party visit the Home Party page on my Blog
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 November Special Savings
November 18 -30 Save 10% off the regular price of the Book and Card Set. Take advantage of this opportunity to buy this wonderful set for yourself or as a gift for friends and loved ones.
Regular Price: $ 29.99
Promotion Price: $26.99
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Thanksgiving Newsletter
