Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Holiday Tradition

The holidays are a crazy time of year, but also the most wonderful time of year… ok that may have been a little cliché… but it is so true! I have been blessed with some wonderful Christmas memories this year that I don’t normally get to experience. I encourage you to either start new holiday traditions or revisit some old memories as I have done this year. It really helps bring the true spirit of the holidays back (just as we shared and accomplished with #GivingTuesday a couple Tuesday’s ago- in fact lets continue #GivingTuesday all December long!)
-          Visiting old friends you haven’t seen in a while. Social media makes it so easy. I recommend using #friendwithdrawls to drop hints of how bad you miss them!
-          Invite friends and family to attend events that raise money for local not-for-profit organizations to pay it forward- enjoy time with your friends to help others get what they want and need throughout the holidays and all year long like the Annual Red Carpet Gala coming in January in Marion, Illinois.
-          Drive a round and enjoy holiday lights and décor. Try to find the biggest blow up Santa you can find or get distracted by lights that flash to music. Now although not all light shows are this extravagant, this was truly amazing. Back in 2008 it popped up in my inbox and I saved it because I loved it so much! I will bring the best example I have to share with you:
Home Alone Poster-          Go back and remember all the things you loved as a child and reenact them with your closest friends and family like sliding down the hall with socks on, enjoying advent calendar chocolates, caroling or just exchanging stories about the good ol’ days of quoting every line of Benchwarmers and Home Alone.
-          Play games and the winners get a gift card donated to a local charity in their honor. Outside of just family and friends, this is a great idea to do with your co-workers as a team building experience too!
These are just a couple ways to honor those who have passed, remember those who are with you now, and lay the foundation for the bright future to come. Please share your suggestions to start new traditions, post your memories and explain how you contributed to the true spirit of the holidays.
Help us share, educate, and reach out by subscribing to our blog and suggesting it to friends who will spread our message: Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.

Live well, laugh often, and love much,
Christine Juehne
Hospice of Southern Illinois
Community Education
1-800-233-1708
www.hospice.org

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