The trees are twinkling

The lights are sparkling

The snowflakes are falling

Children waiting in line to sit on Santa’s lap

Parents shopping for presents in department stores

Carolers singing their favorite songs to strangers

Inflatable elves are waving from store fronts

Plastic reindeer are bounding in your neighbor’s yard

Plush snowmen are adjourning the surface of every restaurant counter

The lights and noise are mesmerizing

They are distracting 

In a forgotten corner a little baby lays in a manger

He is precious and small

Yet he is King of Israel 

He is the greatest gift given to the world

He is absolute perfection

He is love incarnate 

He is the only hope we need

He is the only peace we have

He is the only joy we know

He is all we need

He is all we desire

He is all we crave

He came to join us

He came to love us

He came to save us

The lights and noise try to be mesmerizing

They try to be distracting

Do not let them

Do not let the baby stay in the dusty corner

Do not forget the real reason to celebrate

The post The Forgotten Reason appeared first on GirlSpring.

It marks the beginning of my favorite season, Christmas, and it also lets me indulge in many of my favorite foods without guilt. Sometimes, though, I find myself so caught up in the rush of cooking the perfect dishes and finding the most incredible deals that I forget what Thanksgiving is about: a time to give thanks and express gratitude. 

If you are a busy bee during this time of the year like me, here are three easy ways you can give thanks in your daily life.

1: Say thank you to EVERYONE!

On a day-to-day basis, I encounter at least 30 staff at school, and workplaces alike have several employees diligently working to keep companies and businesses running smoothly. Custodial staff, lunchroom workers, teachers, principals, bosses, and interns alike help their respective institutions meet their daily needs and goals. It is essential to thank EVERYONE, and it takes two seconds!

2: Take care of yourself instead of making others care for you.

Similarly, some employees, like custodial staff, already have a LOT to do. In an effort to show gratitude and general conscientiousness, it is always a good idea to clean up your own mess, push in your own chair, and leave spaces better than you found them. I first heard the phrase “leave it better than you found it” from my 1st grade teacher, and it seems simple enough to remember! As much as we all try, sometimes even the most conscious people get in a hurry or create messes they don’t want to clean. Putting genuine effort into simple tasks like these can have a greater impact and leave a lasting impression.

3: Hold the door, give a compliment– the kind gestures we crave ourselves.

In the midst of Black Friday fighting and late-night grocery store runs, the intensity of the hustle can bleed into our attitudes. The holidays in general are a stressful time- they’re pricey, busy, and sad for some. Showing simple kindness to strangers can go farther than we think, and showing appreciation for other people’s time by holding the door, making an effort to seem put together by complimenting their appearance, and generally smiling can make all the difference. You can even make it a challenge! How many acts of kindness can you, your friends, and your family perform in one day?

As we step into the season, remember to hold a thankful heart. We can make a difference in each other’s lives, and Thanksgiving serves as a fun and tasty reminder of that. 

Click here for more articles about gratitude this holiday season.

The post A Guide to Thinking Thankful appeared first on GirlSpring.

Fall Season and October Trivia (Miscellaneous)

Test your random knowledge about Fall traditions, Fall related phenomenon, October's awareness and celebrations, and the most popular things in the Fall season! 

(image by Aaron Burden)

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The post Quiz: Fall Season and October Trivia appeared first on GirlSpring.

Consider practical gifts that cater to their interests and routines. Simple items such as handmade coupons for chores, a favorite homemade treat, or a personalized photo frame can add a special touch. Each gift can reflect a shared moment or a unique aspect of their lives, emphasizing the thoughtfulness behind it.

Additionally, experiences can be valuable gifts. A picnic at a local park or a movie night at home can create lasting memories without significant expense. It’s the experiences and the moments spent together that often bring families closer.

Budget-Friendly Gift Ideas

Finding budget-friendly gifts for parents can be fulfilling and meaningful. Thoughtful ideas can show appreciation without straining finances. Here are some economically viable options that focus on personal touch, experiences, and practical use.

DIY Gifts

Creating a DIY gift adds a personal touch that store-bought items cannot match. Parents often cherish handmade items more due to the effort and thought invested.

• Photo Album: Compile family photos into an album or scrapbook. This nostalgic gift can spark cherished memories.
• Homemade Treats: Bake cookies or prepare a jar of homemade jam. Presenting these in decorative packaging adds a festive touch.
• Customized Coupons: Design coupons for services such as a home-cooked meal, errands, or a day out. It’s a way to offer time and effort rather than money.

These ideas allow for creativity while being considerate of a limited budget.

Experiential Gifts

Experiences can be more memorable than material items. Gifting experiences can create lasting memories without a large expenditure.

• Nature Walks: Plan a day at a local park or nature reserve. Pack a picnic to enjoy together.
• Local Events: Look for free or low-cost community events like concerts, art fairs, or theater performances. Sharing these experiences can foster closeness.
• Game Night: Host a game night at home with board games or trivia. Prepare snacks and beverages for a fun, relaxing evening.

These options emphasize quality time spent together rather than physical gifts.

Practical & Useful Presents

Gifts that serve a purpose can be appreciated more than decorative items. Practical gifts provide value in daily life.

• Kitchen Gadgets: Useful tools like a high-quality vegetable peeler or a spice holder can make cooking easier.
• Gardening Supplies: If they enjoy gardening, consider items like seeds, gloves, or tools. These gifts encourage hobbies and outdoor activities.
• Personal Care Items: Quality lotions or custom-made soaps can promote relaxation and self-care. You can also go for natural oils that are known for nourishing hair and skin (see this one, for example).

Selecting practical gifts shows consideration for their daily needs, adding to the gift’s value.

Thoughtful Touches

Small gestures can have a significant impact when it comes to gift-giving. Unique, personalized gifts show care and consideration that parents appreciate. Here are a few ideas that combine creativity and sentiment.

Personalized Items

Creating personalized gifts allows for a unique touch that resonates deeply. Options include custom-made items like mugs, keychains, or photo frames featuring family portraits or meaningful quotes. Consider getting an inexpensive frame from the dollar store and printing a poem you’ve written or an artwork you created. Parents love things like this!

Engraved items such as jewelry or keepsakes can capture special dates or initials. Many online platforms offer user-friendly services for customization. The result is a gift that feels personal and thoughtfully crafted.

These gifts not only enhance aesthetic appeal but also carry emotional value. Parents cherish these tangible reminders of love and connection.

Memory Books and Albums

Memory books and albums are an excellent way to compile treasured moments. Parents appreciate curated collections of photos and mementos highlighting family milestones.

Creating a digital photo book through services like Shutterfly or Snapfish allows for easy organization and layout design. Alternatively, handmade scrapbooks offer a personal touch, filled with handwritten notes and decorative elements.

In addition to pictures, including ticket stubs, letters, or small keepsakes enhances the nostalgia factor. These collections serve as a beautiful way for parents to reminisce and cherish past experiences.

Subscription Services

Subscription services are practical yet thoughtful gifts that can bring joy throughout the year. They can cater to a variety of interests, whether parents prefer gourmet food, books, or streaming services.

For instance, a monthly subscription box for coffee lovers or a book club membership can enhance daily routines. These services provide ongoing enjoyment and introduce elements of surprise and discovery.

Choosing a subscription that aligns with their hobbies reflects thoughtfulness. Parents will appreciate the continuous reminder of the giver’s consideration as they receive new items each month.

It’s the thought that counts

This isn’t always true, but with your parents it is. They would much rather spend time with you and know that you care about them than any gift you can buy. If you really want to buy something though, the tips above should help!

The post Low Cost Gift Ideas for Parents: Thoughtful Presents That Won’t Break the Bank appeared first on GirlSpring.

Looking for some Christmas gift ideas this holiday season? Well, good thing you found this article! Below you will find some great gift ideas for all ages! 

Toddlers

• Building Blocks
• Clothes
• Water Toys
• Musical Instruments
• Puzzles
• Playdough
• Stuffed Animals

Pre-teen Boys

• Headphones 
• Gaming Set
• Ipad
• Video Games
• Books
• Clothes
• Concert Tickets
• Sports Tickets 

Pre-teen Girls

• Computer
• Phone
• Ipad
• Lip Gloss
• Art Supplies
• Concert Tickets
• Gift Cards

Teen Boys 

• Portable Speaker
• LED Lights
• Drone
• Skateboard
• Sports Gear
• Books
• Hoodies
• Sneakers

Teen girls 

• Jewelery 
• Hoodies 
• Sweaters
• Makeup Kit
• Skincare Sets
• Hairstyling tools
• Perfume
• Fairy Lights
• Art Supplies
• Books

Adult Men

• Streaming Devices
• Headset
• Fitness Equipment 
• Grilling Tools
• Wallets
• Sweaters
• Shoes
• Books
• Collector’s Items 
• Cologne

Adult Women

• Perfume
• Handbags
• Watches
• Athleisure Wear
• Digital Camera
• Spa Day Package
• Concert Tickets
• Tote Bags 
• Shoes
• Sunglasses

There’s something for everyone on your list! These Christmas gift ideas are sure to bring joy to all your loved ones this year!

Check out more great holiday content here!

The post Easy Christmas Gift Ideas for Everyone appeared first on GirlSpring.

Wreath

1. Draw a dark green circle. Make it thick, but it doesn’t have to be perfect.
2. Draw lighter green pine needles pointing in 1 direction around the circle
3. Add lighter and darker pine needles for a fuller wreath.
4. Color in accessories like pinecones, berries, and a ribbon
5. Shade the accessories with lighter and darker hues. Add a festive message on the ribbon or around the wreath.

Now, I just realized that my tutorial looks like the Olympic Rings. Wreaths are popular and versatile decorations year round, so you can use this technique to make cards for many different occasions.

Snowman

1. Draw 2 or 3 big, white-ish circles. The color doesn’t have to be perfectly white, it can be grey, bluish, or pinkish. The circle on top is smaller. It can sit on a mound of snow.
2. Shade the circles. Where is the light coming from? In general, the bottom of the circles is darker than the top. Use different shades of the same hue and a gentle circular motion to shade.
3. Color in the snowman’s features and outfit. Think beyond the traditional snowman and go all out with the fashion! Mine is going skiing.
4. Shade and add texture to the snowman’s outfit. Short strokes achieve a nice, knitted effect. Blurring in strokes works for fur.

Christmas Tree

1. Draw a dark green triangle for the base of the tree.
2. Draw pine branches in layers. Use a lighter green and decrease the thickness and you go up.
3. Shade where the layer gets overlapped and highlight where the layer sticks out.
4. Color in ornaments and tree decorations. Shade the ornaments with different textures. Use small dots for a sparkles and shades of the same hue for a shiny, metallic finish.

Winter Landscape

If you’re feeling ambitious, you can tackle a winter landscape. You can start out very simple with the sky and snow and work your way up to the mountain-scape or the ski resort of your dreams.

James Julier (James Julier Art Tutorials on YouTube) helped me get into landscape drawing and his tutorials are very thorough. I was able to independently draw landscapes after watching a few of his videos.

I hope you liked these holiday card ideas. Happy drawing!

The post Holiday Card Ideas that are Easy and Fun appeared first on GirlSpring.

Source: Freepik

As the scent of pine fills the air and the festive lights begin to twinkle, everything instantly starts to feel like Christmas. The scent of freshly baked cookies, the warmth of hands clasped around steaming mugs of cocoa, and the joyful burst of laughter from living rooms all paint the picture of pure holiday joy. It’s a season of family and friends coming together, indulging in beloved traditions of unfolding old stories, exchanging many a thoughtful gift following fun Secret Santa rules, and making merry. 

Gift exchanges are the magical highlight of the holiday season! The thrill of unwrapping something specially chosen for you makes the moment even more special. Whether it’s a beautifully embroidered scarf, an exclusive subscription to a book club, or a cozy winter getaway, each gift seamlessly fits into your life, adding a layer of holiday charm to each day.

While receiving gifts from your loved ones is always heartwarming, the excitement can fade away quickly when you receive something you wouldn’t choose for yourself or already own. We’ve all been there—receiving a meaningful gift that, despite the love behind it, just doesn’t quite excite you.

Instead of saying, “Wow, I love it,” you just try to escape the situation with vague smiles and courtesy thank yous.

Christmas Shop With Ease

While gift exchange is a delightful tradition, gift shopping is definitely not. From the excitement of picking a unique treasure to finding something that actually matches your personality, gift hunting is daunting for your loved ones.

What if you could share your dreamy wish list with your loved ones and make gift-hunting a fun adventure for them? With platforms like MyRegistry, you can easily create your dreamy holiday gift list and share it with your friends and family. Whether you’re hosting a Secret Santa exchange or a festive white elephant party, their Secret Santa Generator can match you with the perfect gifter and ensure you get something special.

Therefore, this holiday season, let’s help you craft your dreamy holiday gift list to make it even more special. Your wish list won’t only guide your loved ones toward perfect gifts but also ensure you receive gifts full of unforgettable memories!

Crafting a Thoughtful Gift List that Makes Every Gift a Delightful Surprise

• Gifts that Mirror Your Personality

A truly meaningful gift feels like an extension of you! They make you feel cherished and add joy to your life for more than one holiday season. Adding items that seamlessly fit into your personality will make a perfect gift choice for your wish list. Whether it’s fitness equipment for your health journey, a gratitude journal for wellness, or a set of handcrafted knives for culinary adventures, they all will allow you to pursue your passions. Adding such items invites your loved ones to give you something that you truly desire and will appreciate.

• Strengthening Bonds with Presents

More than gifts, it’s the memories that we cherish. Why not add items to your gift list that’ll allow you to collect beautiful memories and strengthen your bond with your loved ones? Whether it’s engraved wine glasses to celebrate special occasions, board games to enjoy during family get-togethers, or hobby kits like painting sets, knitting kits, or gardening supplies to have fun with your family, adding such items will help you make lots of cherished memories. These gifts become a symbol of love and togetherness and make every holiday moment feel extraordinary.

• Practical Gifts for Convenience

The holiday season reminds us of the simple joys of life! Whether it’s spending time with your loved ones, sharing heartfelt anecdotes, or indulging in traditional home-cooked food, it all reminds us of what truly matters: love and the warmth of being together. Why not add items to your holiday gift list that won’t just bring joy to your everyday rituals but will also remind you of the people who make your life special? You can go for everyday, practical essentials like ergonomic chairs for your home office, cozy weighted blankets for chilly winter, or a set of artisanal candles to fill your home with love. Every time you use these items, you’ll think of the love and care your loved ones infuse into your life.

• Local Treasures: Gifts that Stand Out

Just as unique as you are, so should be the gifts you receive! Local boutiques and artisans pour all their love into creating one-of-a-kind treasures that perfectly match your personality and charm. By including gifts like a hand-stitched leather journal, a collection of artisanal teas, or a handwoven blanket, you receive something as unique as you while supporting small businesses. Adding local items to your gift list not only makes your presents special and meaningful but also spreads delight across your loved ones to these creators.

• Two Gifts in One: Experiences and Lasting Memories

While material gifts often end up gathering dust, experiential gifts give you memories that forever remain etched in your heart and linger long after the season ends. Imagine walking around the streets of Japan during the scenic cherry blossom, the calmness you feel within you after a cozy weekend spa retreat, or the shared moments of teary-eyed laughter after a family photography session. This is the magic experiential gifts weave into your life. Whether it’s a trip to the continent, a sumptuous retreat, or a sweet photo session with family, they go way beyond the moment of receiving the tickets or passes.

Final Thoughts

The holidays are the time to celebrate love, share laughter, cherish bonds, and create lasting memories with meaningful gifts. By sharing your dream holiday gift list with your loved ones, you can add a layer of magic to the celebrations and make them far more memorable. Your gift list ensures you receive items that’ll delight you long after the holiday season and give your loved ones a sneak peek into what your heart truly desires. Here’s to an unforgettable holiday season filled with love, laughter, and gifts that truly warm your heart!

The post The Secret to Perfect Gifts: Creating a Thoughtful Gift List appeared first on GirlSpring.

Christmas Trivia Quiz

The long awaited Christmas season is finally upon us! Take this quiz to see how much you know about the beloved holiday and maybe even use some of the facts to impress your friends and family throughout the season.

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December 1

Decorate your home! Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or nothing at all, decorating your home to be holiday-ready or winter-themed can be exciting!

December 2

Movie Marathon! Get comfy, invite your friends and grab a cup of hot cocoa and have a Christmas movie marathon all night long

December 3

Board Night! This night is about all things board. Ask your friends and family to come over and bring a board of choice whether it’s a sushi board, dessert board, or even a board game!

December 4 

Make a wish list! Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, making an aesthetically pleasing wish list with all the things you want can be plenty of fun!

December 5

Put on a cute winter outfit and head to your nearest ice skating rink to feel all the winter vibes this December

December 6

Self-care Night! Who doesn’t love some good old self-care? Pull up your favorite show, put on your pj’s and face mask, grab a cup of hot tea and relax!

December 7

Secret Santa! Tell your friends and draw out of a hat. Even going to the dollar store and picking out 1 or 2 items for a person you love can be fun!

December 8

Get your family together and start baking. From hot cocoa bombs to gingerbread men to lemon pound cake, a sweet treat is all you need to get the Winter vibes going!

December 9

Drive to your local mall and try on the tackiest and Christmas-worthy outfits there!

December 10

Grab a friend, family member, or complete stranger and become their arms! Whether they’re doing their skincare or their homework, it’s your turn to help them out!

December 11

Grab 2 friends, a blindfold, and an ear muffler or earbuds and let one person not hear, one not see and one person not able to talk and try to bake a dessert together. It’s quite a challenge!

December 12

Christmas Party! Invite everyone you know and throw a party with food, drinks, and games. Put on the Christmas music and get ready to party!

December 13

Scrapbook time! Get out all your crafty materials and print out some pictures and it’s time to make the most creative portrait, collage, or scrapbook with all your favorite memories!

December 14

Winter is all about cozy vibes. Put on your favorite sweatshirt and PJ pants and cozy up with a novel of your choice!

December 15

Get a holiday drink from Starbucks!

December 16

Give back to the community and volunteer at your local soup kitchen or donate to a food bank!

December 17

Do you know that one neighborhood that always goes all out with its Christmas lights? Grab your friends and have a visit.

December 18

Make and decorate Christmas cards for your friends and family!

December 19

Take an off day. Lay in bed, watch your favorite show, and just relax

December 20
Deep cleaning time! Deep clean your house in prep for the holidays.

December 21

Break out your Spotify and make the most epic holiday season playlist ever!

December 22

Shop ’til you drop! Grab last-minute gifts or a little something for yourself

December 23

Craft time! Make garlands to decorate your walls or wreaths for your doors!

December 24

Cook a fancy meal for you and your family and hang out with those distant relatives!

December 25

Relax and enjoy Christmas!

The post Holiday Season To-Do List appeared first on GirlSpring.

Colors of Change

Autumn leaves change fast

Almost too fast to see them

Then away they go

Some friends are these leaves

They are there then they are gone

It happens sometimes

It’s a part of life

It’s a part of growing up

It’s a normal thing

But like autumn leaves

New friendships will come again

Bringing new color

The post Colors of Change appeared first on GirlSpring.