Simplify
It's hard to focus on the true meaning of the holidays when you're rushing from one shopping mall to the next. Try this: Six to ten weeks before the holiday season, sketch out a weekly calendar with all your holiday obligations -- then start eliminating. Weed out and delegate as much as you can (it's easier if you start early); you'll free up more time for real connecting.
Be of service
It's better to give than to receive -- and that applies to more than material goods. Some ways to spread cheer to those in need: Help your kids deliver homemade holiday cookies to a retirement home, schedule a visit to the children's cancer ward at a local hospital to deliver baskets of toys, help serve a holiday meal at a homeless shelter.
Make food count
How much money does your family spend on "meaningless" food -- soft drinks, chips, cookies and the like? Reexamine your food choices and buying patterns, and pass the savings on: Calculate how much you spend on junk food and gift that money to a charity, or donate 2 percent of your food purchases to a food bank.
Create a ritual
Rituals anchor holidays, and give kids a sense of continuity and a tradition they can pass on for years to come. It can be as simple as lighting candles, singing songs, or saying a special prayer. Other ideas: Take a holiday hike in the woods, throw a latke party, host an annual holiday dessert potluck.
Share your toys
It's never too early to teach kids to share. Explain to your children that not all boys and girls have gifts to open on the holidays, and ask if they'd like to share some of theirs. Most kids are eager to pick out and wrap old favorites, especially if they're involved in delivering them to the recipients. Sharing toys goes for grown-ups as well: Old computers, golf clubs, CD players or cell phones are meaningful holiday donations.
Tune out
You can't stop holiday commercialism, but you can refuse to partake. Kill your television, and engage kids and family in more festive activities. Give kids disposable cameras and have an afternoon of photo-taking; make cookies for an assisted living center; head to the local ice rink, museum or aquarium; drag out the markers and paints and make homemade New Year's cards.
Let your purchases reflect your values
Instead of supporting plastics, box stores and rampant consumerism, make gifts more meaningful. Buy at small, local stores; make your own holiday cards and donate the savings to charity.
Feed your soul
As much as you want to connect with your family and friends, it's essential to carve out time for yourself -- even if it's just 10 minutes a day. Take time for meditation, introspection, yoga, a solitary hike, gazing at the evening stars. When days get busy and stressful, schedule an afternoon siesta during which everyone goes to his or her room for 45 minutes to read, nap and play quietly. Lock yourself in the bathroom with a hot bath, And don't wait until New Year's Day to rethink your personal priorities -- list them now and let the magic of the holidays inspire you.
相关单词：sketch
sketch解释：n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述
sketch例句：
My sister often goes into the country to sketch. 我姐姐常到乡间去写生。
I will send you a slight sketch of the house.我将给你寄去房屋的草图。
相关单词：retirement
retirement解释：n.退休，退职
retirement例句：
She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。
相关单词：ward
ward解释：n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开
ward例句：
The hospital has a medical ward and a surgical ward.这家医院有内科病房和外科病房。
During the evening picnic,I'll carry a torch to ward off the bugs.傍晚野餐时，我要点根火把，抵挡蚊虫。
相关单词：savings
savings解释：n.存款，储蓄
savings例句：
I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假，那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时，他的存款已全部用完。
相关单词：lighting
lighting解释：n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光
lighting例句：
The gas lamp gradually lost ground to electric lighting.煤气灯逐渐为电灯所代替。
The lighting in that restaurant is soft and romantic.那个餐馆照明柔和而且浪漫。
相关单词：recipients
recipients解释：adj.接受的；受领的；容纳的；愿意接受的n.收件人；接受者；受领者；接受器
recipients例句：
The recipients of the prizes had their names printed in the paper. 获奖者的姓名登在报上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
The recipients of prizes had their names printed in the paper. 获奖者名单登在报上。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
相关单词：tune
tune解释：n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整
tune例句：
He'd written a tune,and played it to us on the piano.他写了一段曲子，并在钢琴上弹给我们听。
The boy beat out a tune on a tin can.那男孩在易拉罐上敲出一首曲子。
相关单词：festive
festive解释：adj.欢宴的，节日的
festive例句：
It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。
相关单词：aquarium
aquarium解释：n.水族馆，养鱼池，玻璃缸
aquarium例句：
The first time I saw seals was in an aquarium.我第一次看见海豹是在水族馆里。
I'm going to the aquarium with my parents this Sunday.这个星期天，我要和父母一起到水族馆去。
相关单词：rampant
rampant解释：adj.(植物)蔓生的；狂暴的，无约束的
rampant例句：
Sickness was rampant in the area.该地区疾病蔓延。
You cannot allow children to rampant through the museum.你不能任由小孩子在博物馆里乱跑。
相关单词：meditation
meditation解释：n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录
meditation例句：
This peaceful garden lends itself to meditation.这个恬静的花园适于冥想。
I'm sorry to interrupt your meditation.很抱歉，我打断了你的沉思。
相关单词：solitary
solitary解释：adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士
solitary例句：
I am rather fond of a solitary stroll in the country.我颇喜欢在乡间独自徜徉。
The castle rises in solitary splendour on the fringe of the desert.这座城堡巍然耸立在沙漠的边际，显得十分壮美。
相关单词：siesta
siesta解释：n.午睡
siesta例句：
Lots of people were taking a short siesta in the shade.午后很多人在阴凉处小睡。
He had acquired the knack of snatching his siesta in the most unfavourable circumstance.他学会了在最喧闹的场合下抓紧时间睡觉的诀窍。
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