check.
holiday fragrances? (Day TWO)
check.
holiday lights? (Day THREE)
check.
holiday greetings? (Day FOUR)
check.
We've created a great foundation for some holiday inspiration over the past few days...
I sure hope you've been following along and continue to do the "little things" each day to reel you back in to what I call the "Holiday Spirit Boat".
It's SO easy to get caught up in the current of the "Raging River of Commercialized Christmas"...
too much spending...
too much running around...
too much stress associated with picking...let alone FINDING
the perfect gift for everyone on your list.
"too much" is right.
It can be overwhelming!
If you've fallen overboard...
I'm throwing you a life preserver and pulling you in...
so grab on!!
The focus and goal here at Pen N' Paperflowers...
with these 12 Days of SIMPLE Holiday Gift Giving...
has been to give each of you a gift of daily inspiration.
This daily inspiration should ignite in your heart the warm glow of the season...
thereby giving you the extra boost you need to refocus...
clear your mind...
and encourage a sincere effort on your behalf to reach out to those around you.
So with your heart warmed...
we took our first step towards the "reaching out" process yesterday with our "Holiday Greetings".
Today we are taking things a step further:
Day FIVE
A couple of weeks ago...
I heard a knock on the door.
I opened it to find a scrumptious loaf of banana bread, a cute little holiday ornament and this...
We had been "Elfed"!
It's the same thing as "the Phantom Pumpkin"...
only "Christmas-style".
Someone secretly leaves a treat at your door...
hoping you'll continue the cycle of giving and Holiday cheer by doing the same for a couple of other families/homes.
Spreading Holiday Cheer...
that's today's focus!
Now before you go rolling your eyes because you are simply too busy to get the "Elfing" started...
Hear me out.
(I'm talking specifically to Angie - my childhood friend from San Diego who razzes me when I post about doing things like this. She's works full-time and has two busy little boys - she barely has time to breathe let alone time to initiate "programs" like this).
First of all.
Remember the "spirit" behind doing things like this.
It does take some effort...
maybe a little sacrifice on your part...
and yet that's where the joy comes in giving;
stepping out of your busy world and taking a minute to do something nice for someone else...
a.k.a. "reaching out"...
THAT'S how you keep the holiday spirit burning.
So...
With that said...
Let's spread some HOLIDAY CHEER!!
You've got a few different options.
OPTION #1:
Download this FREE "You've been Elfed" flyer from Andersruff.com
and get going on "Elfing" a few people in your neighborhood.
OPTION #2:
Skip the download.
Package up some goodies without a note and leave it anonymously at someone's door or on their desk at work.
OPTION #3:
Pick a little something - a mini candy cane or a peppermint hershey kiss...
Leave one behind for someone to find - your child's pillow, your spouse's bathroom sink or cabinet, the bank teller, the cashier, the waitress/waiter.
Surely one of these options will work for you!
So get started!!
Warning: participating in any of these activities may induce feelings of warmth, kindness love and peace for both you and the people you are reaching out to...proceed with caution!! *wink*
SIMPLE GIFT GIVING IDEA:
Throw a few hershey kisses into a bag, wrap with a simple ribbon and attach a little note:
"Holiday wishes & candy cane kisses"...cute & simple.
Need some tags? Done!
Holiday Hugs and Candy Cane Kisses to all of you!!!
Especially the super sweet family who "Elfed" us...
You added fuel to our holiday spirit fire!!!
KEEPING IT REAL
The Fed Ex man did deliver my holiday cards yesterday...
now I've got to put on my holiday music, get my pot of "Simmering Christmas going", sit by my lights-only Christmas tree and address all of the envelopes for my "Holiday Greetings". Perhaps I'll treat myself to a peppermint kiss when they are all done! *wink*
3 comments:
THANK YOU SO MUCH for your sweet writeup... we love "elfing" everyone on our block!
Happy Holidays!!
Maureen and Adria
Anders Ruff Custom Designs
Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [18 Dec 01:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria
Jess - Thank you SO much for sharing the Adorable 'Holiday Wishes and Candy Cane Kisses' printables. My sis and I packaged up some hershey kisses and attached it with ribbon the other night. I've been handing them out to coworkers and neighbors.
They are such a hit!
Thank YOU for giving your time and talents so freely to your readers! We love you for it.
A Very Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family.
XO
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