Category Archives: Holiday Ideas

What’s the 1st word that pops into your head about the holiday season?

For many years mine was, overwhelmed. Followed closely by over burdened and let’s not forget overweight. You get the picture, I was in way OVER my head. Then I hit the “That’s it! button and decided, “This holiday’s going to be different.”

It was time to change and to enlist help. My hubby and I looked around and realized we had a whole team of helpers at our disposal, they were just disguised as family members. So, we decided to organize and mobilize ourself and the troops.

Give the gift of love

1. Have a Plan.  Make a plan for your time, your health and your Spiritual growth.

Use the Holiday Help! checklist and stay organized.  The Holiday Help! checklist includes all the activities that make the holidays complete and you can tweak it for your family. You post it on the fridge and let each family member or holiday guest “sign up” to help. Then, assign a completion date for every activity on your calendar and who is responsible for its’ completion. The checklist keeps you organized and holds everyone accountable.

If no one signs up for an activity, it doesn’t get done. Oh what fun, it is to get the whole family helping along, Hey!  When you’re organized and everyone’s working together cheerfully, everything is better.

If you want the checklist, just e-mail me: info@christinemartinello.com

2. Be still. Pray, meditate and open your heart to the Spirit. Focus on the true reason for the season. Read the Bible, devotional or other spiritual books to slow you down and grow in faith.

3. Simplify the Season.  Ask; Why are we doing what you’re doing? Ask your family, “What are the most meaningful traditions? Do those & ditch the rest.

4. Control gift giving. Ask the kids TODAY: “What gifts do you remember from last year?” Then brace yourself. If your loved ones can’t remember, simplify to just 3 gifts.  After all, 3 gifts were good enough for Jesus.

5. Focus on Relationships. Focus on growing in love instead of more stuff. Simplify and include others in the Season. Let go of wanting things to be perfect. Life is not a Hallmark show. They’re not going to be. Strive for ‘good enough’ instead. You really do NOT have to do it all alone. When we let others help we teach our kids and hubby how to love by serving.

6. Be grateful and Focus on the Moments – See all the joy in faces of the people you love and the moments.

7. Give the gift of Love. Grow closer together with family and friends as you share your love with the The Christmas Love Box tradition. If you’re not Christian, you can do the Original Love Box tradition. Giving the gift of love is the greatest gift you can give your family and the world.

You can get yours online at: www.originallovebox.com

Wishing you and your heart joyful moments amidst controlled chaos. Keep the faith and by all means, just keep breathing – deeply.

Breathe in: I am at peace.
Breathe out: I share love.

Merry Christmas friend!

Love Notes for Military

Original Love Box notes for Military  

Here are 10 Tips to write great Love Notes to Soldiers:

  1. Write from the heart.
  2. Share things about yourself.
  3. Thank them.
  4. Share your why.
  5. Mention military connections.
  6. Tell them what’s going on at home.
  7. No politics please.
  8. You support & respect them.
  9. Write  like you speak.
  10. Include encouraging quotes.

5 Worst & Best Heartfelt Valentine’s Day Gifts

Let’s Love More!

Valentine’s Day is coming. This is your chance to grow in love or watch it wilt in three days. We’re committed to helping your love blossom. Here are some do’s and don’ts.

5 Worst Gifts
1. Nothing. We know you’re busy and sometimes forgetful. If you truly value love, you need to put some time and effort into it.
2. Appliances. Nothing kills romance faster than a new toaster. Yes, we may very well need a new one, but not as a Valentine’s day gift.
3. Grocery store flowers. Don’t rush in after work, with a token gift. If it’s going to wilt in 3 days, think again.
4. Dinner at a fast-food restaurant. She doesn’t care how busy you both are.  If you can’t make it on V-Day, plan for a lovely dinner on another day.
5. Sporting event tickets. I can hear you guys . . . “But she loves sports.” Make 100 % sure she really loves sports & isn’t just trying to make you think she does.

5 BEST Heartfelt Valentine’s Gifts

Original Love Box Kit

1. Original Love Box filled with hand written love notes and her favorite sweet treats. When you read her the notes aloud, surrounded by candlelight, her heart will melt.
2. Share a picnic and feed each other your favorite foods & drinks. If the weather is bad outside, set it up in a quiet part of you home. A the very least shut off the TV & put on love songs. Add a dance under the moonlight to romantic music.
3. Engraved jewelry that has a special message or date on it.
4. If you’re going to get chocolates, make sure they’re her favorites and that there are plenty.
5. Write a poem or song, & sing it to her – just for her ears only.

As you can see, these gifts are heartfelt and take some time to plan and deliver. When you make the effort to create something she’ll love, Oooohh, la la – Love is in the air.

Hope you feel surrounded by LOVE!

 

Ok ladies, feel free to send this to a guy you know.

Thanksgiving Love

About this time last year Peggy was planning her families Thanksgiving celebration. She was rushing around wondering what kind of activity the whole family could do together.


Peggy’s family has 4 generations to keep content! She talked to me about the Love Box tradition and she decided to alter it to fit their families needs.

As their family gathered for Thanksgiving she asked each member to go into her bedroom and write a love note or note of appreciation to her mom, Mom Helen, who is also a grandma and great-grandma. Each member of the family also took love notes home to write for each other before their Christmas celebration.

Peggy gathered all the love notes for Mom Helen and put them in the Christmas Love Box. She wrapped it up beautifully and gave the ‘gift of love’ to her Mom.

“We found my mom in tears as she read and re-read the love notes which she keeps on the end table near her sofa.” Peggy said.

Mom Helen has read the love notes all year long and each time, prays for each person. This keeps her connected to her whole family throughout the year.

Talk about a gift full of thanks and giving and it lasts for generations to come.