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Posts Tagged ‘holiday’

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How To Receive A Gift You Don’t Like

In etiquette, gift giving, holiday, how to on January 31, 2019 at 12:04 pm

The holidays are over but throughout the year you might find yourself on the receiving end of gifts you aren’t too fond of.

We have all been there:  It’s gift exchange time or some other occasion during the year and you receive a gift prompting an immediate roller coaster of negative emotion, causing you to think:

  • “What the hell?”
  • “What were you thinking?”
  • “Are you serious?”
  • “Going in the trash.”
  • “This relationship is over.”

When you receive a gift that is less than desirable, it can make you wonder if the giver put any consideration into what they were giving you.  It is possible the gift giver is clueless, doesn’t have good taste or they just don’t care.  However, the fact of the matter is that many people struggle with giving meaningful gifts and most likely put a lot of thought and effort into selecting the gifts they give.

Whatever the case, it’s important not to offend the gift giver.  It’s never ok to be rude and instead it’s important to be gracious and show appreciation for what you receive, even if it isn’t what you would have chosen for yourself. If you struggle with how to react when receiving a gift you don’t particularly care for, keep the following in mind when it comes to navigating the murky waters of undesirable gift receiving:

Take a deep breath, smile and say thank you. As mentioned before, you don’t want to offend the gift giver so it is important to quickly manage your facial expression and thoughts to mask any negative emotion you might feel.  If you are used to Aunt Janet giving you cat socks for every milestone in your life even though you like birds and you never wear socks, then you know how to do this but if you are doing a gift exchange with someone new, you might need to practice the rapid fire smile and thank you.  You might even throw in a hug to give yourself time to recover before you face the person again.

Don’t gossip about the gift.  Keep discussion about the gift to a minimum, especially if you are around the person (perhaps at a gathering). Word travels fast and you don’t want to cause trouble –  even though you are troubled by what you received.

React to the thought of the gift.  Keep in mind that most people have the best of intentions when giving you a gift.  It’s also important to not let negative emotion overrule all manners and sense of decorum, especially when it’s someone who cares for you.  Instead, respond to the spirit of the gift.

Deflect attention away from the gift.  If the giver continues to press you for your thoughts about the gift, you can always say something like

  • “Thank you.  I appreciate it.”
  • “I’m not sure how I’m going to use this but I’m definitely going to put this to good use.”
  • “Do you have one? How do you use it?”

Re-gift with caution.  If you store the gift away for later, put the date and the name of the person who gave it to so you don’t give it back to them at a later date.  Hopefully that same gift won’t come back to them in the future from someone else you re-gifted to.

How should you react if you receive a gift that that is offensive such as something with racial undertones, is sexist or doesn’t support a personal journey (you are working towards sobriety and the person gifts you alcohol)?  You are within your right to politely tell them how you feel about the gift they have given you.

Now…

What if you are someone who is challenged and misses the mark when it comes to gift exchange?  If that’s you, keep these 6 points in mind to help you be a better gift giver.

Pay attention.  Take note of what the recipient buys for themselves, their personal style, what they talk about, even how they decorate.  This type of information can give you some insight into what they might like to receive as a gift.

Give gifts around their hobby or interest. For instance if the person you are shopping for is an avid gamer, instead of or in addition to getting them the newest game, consider getting them a gaming chair.

Ask.  Simply put, it never hurts to ask what a person wants for themselves.

Take yourself out of the equation. Remember that the gift isn’t for you so if your Uncle James loves collecting ashtrays from the 1920’s then go ahead, make the man’s day and get him those rusty ashtrays.

Don’t give anything that is used.  It’s poor taste and makes you look very bad, especially if the item looks, smells or feels used.

Give money or a gift card.  There are many schools of thought regarding giving money or gift cards as gifts.  The prevailing thought is that it is not very thoughful or personal.  I believe it depends on the relationship between the giver and the receiver and chances are you’ve never met anyone who didn’t like to receive cold hard cash as a gift.   Giving money/gift cards can often empower someone to purchase things for themselves that they normally wouldn’t purchase for themselves. Which can be a gift in and of itself.

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6 Alternatives To Traditional Gift Giving

In gift giving, holiday, how to on December 22, 2018 at 11:12 am

Image Courtesy Of Pexels.com

Time to wrap it up with these 6 alternative gift giving ideas.

It is literally three days away from Christmas and you are either still shopping, haven’t started yet or just feel a last minute urge to do something nice for somone.  You might think that time isn’t on your side at this point and leaving your house to shop is a frightening proposition.  Have no fear because you do have options in the form of gift giving alternatives. These are the types of gifts can be in the form of a service or donation that may only require just a few clicks from your laptop, tablet or cell phone.  What’s even better is the fact that these types of gifts reduce clutter and your carbon footprint because you won’t have to wrap it or deliver it to your recipient.

Continue reading for a short list on gift giving alternative ideas for the holiday season (or anytime) that will make you everyone’s favorite and earn you some well deserved bragging rights.

Gift A Service.  Perhaps you have heard someone who has children say they need an evening to themselves or that their home office could use some reorganization but they don’t have time.  You can gift a babysitting or home organization service yourself if you are skilled in that area or you can choose a reputable agency to do it for them.  The ideas are endless and can include massage, lawn care or personal shopping.

Gift A Fitness Pass/Membership.  This is of course if someone close to you has stated that they want to go to that fun Soul Cycle class they heard about or that cool kickboxing class at their local gym that they just haven’t gotten around to purchasing for themselves. Otherwise you may want steer clear of that as health and fitness can be a sensitive topic for some.

Gift Food Prep Service.  Again this might be something you gift yourself because you are skilled in this area AND the recipient has expressed an interest in your culinary expertise.  Otherwise, get them a gift certificate or take them to dinner at their favorite restaurant or one they have been wanting to try.  You can also choose to gift them with a food prep/delivery service such as Blue Apron, Hello Fresh or Thrive.  These are great ideas because with everyone’s busy schedule, grocery shopping and preparing meals can sometimes be exhausting.  With these types of services, everything the recipient needs will be delivered to their door with customized food options with great recipies that they can use over and over again.

Gift A Donation To A Favorite Charity Or Organization.  It always thoughtful and supportive to donate to a cause your loved one is passionate about.

Gift A Gift Card.  There are many different opinions about whether gift cards make great gifts however if you know that someone uses services such Amazon, iTunes or uber often, why not give a gift card for something you know they are going to use and appreciate?

Gift Education.  Gift an amount towards a course, conference or book someone has been talking about which can help them gain more knowledge or help their business or career.

Your gift giving options are endless and can include so many ideas such such as hosting a fundraiser to a local shelter or food bank, naming a star after someone, writing a thoughtful card to someone to encourage them, a recipe exchange and so much more.  Use your imagination and you are well on your way to giving a gift that special someone will remember.

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10 Last Minute Holiday Gift Giving Ideas For The Holiday Season

In gift giving, how to, lifestyle on December 15, 2018 at 6:56 am

The pressure is on.  It’s the 11th hour and you still need to find that perfect holiday gift for the people on you list.

Image Courtesy Of Pexels.com

Every year you find yourself in the same place: having promised yourself that you are going to complete your holiday shopping before December arrives only to find yourself just starting your shopping days before Christmas. Even if you are THAT person who starts shopping ahead of time, you might find that at the last minute you want to add a little something extra to someone’s list.  Whatever the case, retailers anticipate all types of holiday shoppers and have you covered with gift ideas that will make you appear to be a classy, thoughtful individual with amazing taste.

Continue reading to discover some last minute ideas that will make you everyone’s favorite and earn you some well deserved bragging rights.

Molton Brown London Jasmine & Sun Rose Exquisite Bathing Oil $65

Give the gift of making bath time a luxurious experience with this bath oil.  Made with rose, patchouli and Egyptian nigella, this exquisite bathing oil will leave skin soft and delicately fragranced.

Volupsa Edge Candle & Diffuser Gift Set in Japanese Plum Bloom$45

Inspired by Japanese paper making and plum bloom trees, this beautiful scalloped design of this candle/reed diffuser will beautify any living space.  The candle will give 50 hours of burn time and the diffuser will last 4-6 months.

Do One Thing Everyday That Inspires You:  A Creativity Journal $10

Inspire creativity with a journal that contains a years worth of inspirational prompts from authors, writers, dancers, chefs, teachers that will allow one to do some introspection and self discovery.

Cocktail Travel Kit $24

Enjoy your favorite cocktail anytime/anywhere – including flying the friendly skies with these TSA compliant cocktail travel kits.  Each kit contains the tools and ingredients needed to mix your perfect adult beverage.  Just ask for the hard stuff and mix.  Enough for two drinks for yourself or to share.

Winc Personalized Wine Subscription $13 and up

Perfect for those who love wine but don’t necessarily have the time or expertise to curate their own wine collection, this can be the perfect starter gift for wine enthusiasts.  For those who enjoy beverages such as whisky or gin, consider gifting a subscription to a whisky or gin club of the month or even a class where the recipient can take a cocktail making class.

Merlot Infused Coffee $20

The perfect end to a delicious meal and for wine and coffe enthusiasts.  If you are torn between another glass of wine or the comfort of a delicious cup of coffee, why not have both. Although this coffee is caffeinated, it does not contain any alcohol.  For serious coffee lovers, consider the Blue Bottle Coffee subscription that explores preferences of many coffee origins and blends, delivered monthly to the recipient’s door.

Spicy Box Of Awesome – Hot Sauce Gift Set $54.95

For those who like it hot, this wood crate contains small batches of spicy greatness that food and spice lovers dreams are made of.

Celine Tea Set For Two $38

Make someone’s morning or evening tea ritual a classy affair with these beautiful imported, stoneware gold accented tea cups.

Bouquet Bar Gift Boxes $49 and up

Master the art of exquisite gifting with these beautiful gift boxes filled with delicious treats and beautiful floral arrangements.  You can choose from a ready made selection of boxes or you can create the perfect personalized gift box for your recipient.

Tangram Smart Jump Rope $79.95

Perfect for the fitness fanatic in your life.  This techy jump rope allows you to do things like see your number of jumps mid air, unlock rewards and sync to many fitness apps.

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9 Tips To Keep You Fit And Healthy Through Holiday

In fitness, Health, lifestyle on November 28, 2018 at 12:00 pm

Thanksgiving has come and gone.  Get back on track and don’t wait until the new year to stay healthy.


As we continue celebrating the holiday season with family, friends and lots of shopping, there is another activity that we look forward to participating in during this season:  eating delicious food.  And lots of it.  From family get togethers to work related festivities, there are plenty of opportunities to indulge in decadent, high calorie foods more than usual during this time of the year.

Many people enter this festive season with plans to consume and enjoy any food not nailed down.  For others, it can be met with trepidation – particularly if health and fitness is top of mind or if you have particular dietary goals and requirements that you need to stick to.  With that said, there is no need to approach the holidays with fear or apprehension when you have a plan.  Continue reading for 9 tips to help you stay fit and healthy through holiday.

Plan Ahead.  Meal prep ahead of time and/or keep healthy snacks with you to munch on when you feel hungry.  This is especially true in the workplace where there will most likely be all kinds of treats like cookies, cakes and candies.   While you don’t have to avoid these kinds of foods all together, be sure to include snacks that are nutrient dense to keep you fuller throughout the day.

Eat A Good Breakfast.  Eating a good breakfast will set the tone for the day by fueling your body with the nutrients it needs to power through the first part of your day.  In addition, a nutrient dense breakfast keeps you fuller longer and when you partner that with your meal prep, you have a better chance of staying focused and not fall into the temptation of over-indulging and binge eating.

Drink A Lot Of Water/Stay Hydrated.  We all know about the multitude of benefits to staying hydrated such as glowing skin, better regularity, and increased energy.  In addition, drinking a glass of water before a meal to help you feel fuller, thus reducing the desire to overeat.  Keep this in mind when you head out for holiday festivities.

Work Out In The Morning.  Getting a good workout in the morning can not only make you feel energized but it can also help set tone for therest of the day for better food behaviors throughout the day.  You also won’t have to worry about working out when you get home later in the day.

Eat Before You Party.  Eating something lightweight before you arrive at a party can help you focus and not over-indulge as you approach the table of holiday cheer.

Sign Up For Paid Classes With Expiration Dates.  Since you don’t like waisting money and you really do want to stay on track with your fitness routine, choose some classes that will expire soon so that you will make it a point to get to class.

You Can Always Work Out.  If working out in public is not your thing, take 10-15 minutes to get moving and create that mind/body connection.  You can do some body weight, plyometrics, or kettle bell swings.  Whatever you choose, remember that some time is better than no time.  For the more ambitious, sign up for a marathon or obstacle course with a few loved ones to get your fitness and bonding on at the same time.

Indulge For The Day Not The Season.  Take some of the pressure off by allowing yourself to go all out and eat what you want on certain days like Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve and stick to your regular eating plan all of the other days in between.

Get Enough Rest.  Getting enough rest can ensure you restore your mind, body and spirit during this hectic time of the year. It can also help guard against getting sick during these colder months of the year.

This list includes just some of the things you can do to stay fit and healthy during the holiday season.  Get creative and come of with ideas that you and your loved ones can incorporate into this season and your lifestyle in general.  Above all else, remember to be thankful, have fun and don’t take yourself too seriously.