Take Time to Enjoy the One You Love

The happy couple by jpockele

It doesn’t matter who you love – your kids, your dog, your spouse or friends. Whoever you love, it’s important to spend time with them. Few things bring more pleasure than spending time having fun with people you love.

Spending time with family and friends makes your days brighter. Every adventure is more exciting when shared with someone else. Every laugh is louder when you laugh together. Whether you share the daily chores or plan leisure activities far from home, just being with each other can heighten your fun.

Our loved ones may know we love them, but nothing shows that we care better than taking a few minutes a day to do something special. It can be small things or big things. We women love flowers, jewels, and the occasional new car. We also love a man who washes the dishes, gives extra-long hugs, and buys our favorite brand of ice cream.

While expensive gifts are great; small things are wonderful too. No matter who you love, there are activities that are just more fun with a friend. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Do a scavenger hunt in the backyard. Use candy, coins and toys to make it more fun.
• Sing to the radio as you do your chores. Dance along if you feel like it.
• Play cards or a video game – winner does the night’s chores.
• Cook a special spaghetti dinner. Non-cooks can order takeout.
• Go to the zoo and make animal noises until you get a response.
• Go out in the sun and make shadow puppets on the lawn.
• Compare the ways your friend reminds you of Garfield, Snoopy or Dilbert.
• Go for a drive and let the passenger make the choices of where to turn.
• One person can dress in stripes, the other in polka dots for a day out.

Who cares what you do? Just pick something and have fun. Be creative and start now. Your loved ones will thank you for it. :0)

Fun Christmas Videos.

Yes, I know it’s not even December yet. I just can’t help myself. I love Christmas, the glitter, the music, the singing and fun. This year Thanksgiving was an entire week before December, and I’ve already seen two Christmas specials. The stores are stocked with merry little twinkling lights and I’ve even had snow flurries – it just feels Christmasy out there.

Check out my other article A Guide to Christmas Specials, so you don’t miss your favorite shows. They even have a list for the food shows and decorating gurus. You’ll be feeling warm and fuzzy in no time at all.

Now here are a few little fun videos to put a little twinkle in your eye. Enjoy!

Christmas Lights:


Creature Comforts – Merry Christmas:

12 Days of Christmas Animated:

12 tips to stay in touch with friends and family.

My grandfather, the cowboy by KateMonkey

During the holidays I always think of friends and family that are far away. It brings to mind the miles between us and the lack of time we have to keep each other abreast of what is going on in our lives. This year I am making a list to stay in touch and better connected to those I love. Here are a few ideas:

1. Email. Don’t just forward a funny email or joke. Although these are great, a short, typed note about what is going on in your life will have much more impact and generally result in a better response.
2. Greeting card. These are fun to send for no reason at all. Send them on the more unusual holidays like 4^th of July, Halloween, or National Friendship Week. Everyone likes cheerful greetings instead of another dreaded bill.
3. Telephone. Use your time wisely. The cell phone is available all the time. Try to call one far-away family member or friend each month. Rotate as needed. Or set aside one night a week to make as many calls as you can in an hour. Even a 15 minute chat is fun. Don’t put it off.
4. Time differences. Many of us have family around the country or around the world. Take a minute and set up your own personal World Clock. This will let you add areas where family members live and you can easily check the time with a mouse click. Definitely makes keeping in touch easier.
5. Pictures. If you have children or get yearly family photos, don’t forget to send them to everyone. Many times people will not ask for the pictures because they think you don’t have enough to go around. If you have leftovers, make a list of people you think would enjoy them. It’s always fun to watch families grow.
6. Digital cameras. If you take lots of pictures at home, on the road, or of the kids; share them with friends and family. Email your favorite five, or send Grandma pictures of the kids opening her presents. It gives a bigger impression than just words and makes people feel like they were there.
7. Cartoons and jokes. Everyone likes something that makes them laugh. If you see a cartoon or joke that makes you think of a particular family member or friend, cut it out and send it to them. Keep a manila envelope to store them until you’re ready to send. It’s a great way to let someone know you’re thinking of them.
8. Movies. Do you know a mom who is too busy to find the time to shop for herself? Do you know a friend who loves horror movies or comedies? Purchase a movie and surprise them by mail. Or send them a home movie of the family saying hello. You can easily make copies for everyone.
9. Calendars. Make sure you have a nice big calendar where you can see it every day. Write down a month or two ahead of time when to call someone, or a birthday reminder. Use your computer to remind you too. Take one day a month to write down your “person of the month” so you don’t forget.
10. Newsletter. Involve the whole family and write your own monthly or bi-monthly newsletter. It will help you communicate the most important events, and friends and family alike will enjoy it. There are great templates available, just write and go.
11. Flowers. Send a bouquet for a special occasion. They make a great Christmas gift, for birthdays, Mother’s Day and more. Try Proflowers.com for a great fresh floral arrangement you buy online. Flowers definitely say I love you.
12. Flash drive fun. If you’re family or friends are more computer inclined, send a flash drive full of information. You can add your favorite pictures, jokes, letters and more. Let one person keep it for a month, then send it back.

The great thing is the possibilities are only limited by your imagination. Take a short movie of your snow day up north and send it to your friends in the south. Use a tape recorder to put your voice to tape and sing them a birthday song. Bring along a picture of your mom when you vacation and take a picture of you holding her picture to let her know you wish she was there. Be creative, be inventive. Above all, have fun.

Family fun and holiday tips.

Hello again everyone! I’m happy to say that though I missed writing my articles and hearing from all of you, I had a fantastic holiday week. I was lucky enough to be visited by some family members, some I hadn’t seen in a very long time and we had a blast! Talk about the brighter side of life. I love family reunions, even the small ones, and it’s so fun to have all those different personalities bumping around together. It makes some real laugh-out-loud moments.

I hope that all of you had just as much fun with your families. Since I write about fun, joy and adventure, I just couldn’t bring myself away from the excitement long enough to write more posts this past week. I did try. I sat down at the computer a few times and tried to come up with something, anything, to write about, but my mind was a blank. It just kept flashing the faces of everyone through my mind, and after a half hour or so, I decided to let it slide for the week and just enjoy myself.

One of the things I noticed most was how a little shake-up of your every day routine is good for you. Having a different change of pace either makes you appreciate your every day schedule or causes you to realize you should change it. Also, with so many people around you invariably learn new things. I got cooking tips, new recipe ideas, and enjoyed the Wii game system for the first time.

To make the most of your next holiday gathering here are a few more tips:

1. If a particular person is rubbing you the wrong way, politely step away and find someone new. Usually you can find someone to laugh with or talk to. Once you’ve cooled off the annoying person won’t seem so bad anymore.
2. Take pictures, or assign someone to do so. My one regret this time around was that we didn’t take enough pictures and everyone is already gone. Some people had problems with their camera or just forgot them, so planning ahead will really help. Pick a time and place and even name someone “holiday photographer extraordinaire” for great memories.
3. Have everyone pitch in. Let each person bring a dish or two so one person doesn’t do all the cooking. Have different people set-up the table, wash the dishes, put away leftovers and clean up. These dreaded chores are much more fun with more than one person helping.
4. Mingle more. If you can, having different areas set up for talking, watching TV and something for the kids. People tend to move around more to check on each area and it keeps conversation and interest going as people come and go.
5. Take breaks. Sometimes you get caught up in the rushing and running around. Take breaks in the morning, afternoon or evening – whenever you can get away. Even 15 minutes that are chaos-free can help you recharge. When you feel refreshed you can enjoy all the noise and commotion more easily.

I hope you all had a great time too. I’d love to hear about the ups and downs you had as well as your own tips for a smooth and enjoyable holiday. I sometimes think of Thanksgiving Day as the initial warm-up. I’m already looking forward to Christmas. Happy holidays everyone!

Appreciate your family.

We all have problems with our families. We often live apart and endure long distance relationships, or have mothers and in-laws who are too nosy, deal with sibling rivalry, or have those lazy relatives who mooch off of everyone. Might as well enjoy them – you’re stuck with them anyway. Why not make the best of it?

How you might ask? Ah, now that is not a simple answer. First off, I would encourage you to stop trying to change them. Yes, I know it’s hard, I struggle with it myself at times. But people who are bossy, selfish, loud, rude, and cheap don’t typically like to be lectured or criticized anymore than you do. It only adds to the irritation for both of you and doesn’t promote peace.

If you have a cheap uncle, don’t ask him to bring the wine or dessert. Put your loud brother in charge of entertaining the kids or manning the barbeque. Put the bossy mother-in-law in the kitchen and let her organize the meal. Write letters and cards to the loud or rude relatives instead of calling. Work with their strengths instead of focusing on their weaknesses.

Remember you have to deal with these people for a long, long time to come. Making an extra effort can make all the difference. If you really want harmony in the family, consider being the one to apologize, even if you feel you are right. Just say, “I’m sorry we haven’t talked much lately. I miss you and would like to get together more often.” Be aware that you don’t have to spend time with everyone in your family. It’s totally up to you.

Sometimes just taking that first step is all it takes. If two people are stubbornly fighting each other and one decides not to argue anymore, it leaves room for change. Calling someone you haven’t spoken to in a while or taking on responsibility for a reunion can go a long way. And when their quirks and habits annoy and irritate you, you can smile since you know they will be gone in a few hours or a few days. It may even help you appreciate your spouse and children more than before. Good luck!

Family Fun is great.

I used to subscribe to Family Fun magazine even though I don’t have any children of my own. I started using it when I was a “Big Sister” in United Way’s Big Brothers & Big Sisters organization. It was also great for ideas on how to entertain my nieces and nephews when they visited.

Recently while in a dentist’s waiting room, I picked up another issue to pass the time. And I found out it’s still as great as ever. Packed full of craft projects, kid-friendly recipes, book reviews, it’s a great read. Some of the ideas I noticed where the summer snapshot shirt which gave step-by-step instructions to record your summer fun on a t-shirt. Another great idea is their amusement park updates that list the newest and coolest rides and include park prices.

Reading magazines like this is great inspiration for fun ideas and new things to do. Perfect for families, craft groups, girl scouts, or just those looking for a new adventure. The web site is currently running an ad for 74% off subscription price, so this is a deal you shouldn’t pass up. Check it out today!