We have posted all of our 31 Nights of Halloween Movies on Individual Posts. The reason we choose to do it that way was so that one post wouldn’t be too lengthy. Below is all 31 Links so it is easier to navigate.
Want to help monarchs? If you live in the U.S., plant milkweed. It’s where the butterflies lay their eggs, and it’s the only food their newly born caterpillars will eat. Milkweed has been virtually eradicated on agricultural land because of genetically modified corn and soybean crops. Common milkweed, swamp milkweed, and butterfly milkweed are all native to the Midwest and are excellent choices for monarchs.
While planting milkweed can be beneficial for attracting monarch butterflies and other pollinators, it’s crucial to be aware that milkweed is toxic to animals, including cattle, horses, sheep, goats and poultry dogs, cats, and horses. If you have pets/Farm animals, consider planting milkweed in a way that prevents them from accessing it, or choose a different, non-toxic plant to attract pollinators.
Here are some Alternative plants to attract pollinators To attract pollinators, consider planting a variety of flowers that bloom at different times of the year, including native plants, herbs, and flowers with bright colors, open centers, and mild scents. Some excellent choices include sunflowers, bee balm, goldenrod, milkweed, coneflowers, and herbs like lavender, basil, and borage. Planting in clumps and providing water sources also encourages pollinators.
These butterflies can be purchased from a butterfly farm in your state and released within the same state. USDA permits are not required to ship indigenous butterflies inside the state lines where they occur naturally.
How to care for Monarch Caterpillars and butterflies
Milkweed! Everything you need to know to find/identify plus little-known remarkable historical uses!
I hope that you have enjoyed reading my blog on Monarch Butterflies. If I inspired even one person to plant either Milkweed or Pollinator attracting plants, then I have made a difference. Thanks for reading! Hope to see you soon.
Alvin, Simon and Theodore and special guest star Santa Claus Dialog and Songs
A1. It’s Beginning To Look Like Christmas 3:40 A2. Chipmunk Jingle Bells 1:52 A3. The Chipmunk Song 5:11 A4. The Spirit Of Christmas 3:15 A5. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 4:50 B1. Crashcup’s Christmas 2:57 B2. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) 2:27 B3. Silent Night 2:18 B4. Sleigh Ride 2:55 B5. Deck The Halls 1:53 B6. We Wish You A Merry Christmas 6:34
I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did. Have a great day! 🙂
The Easter Bunny is Comin’ to Town is a 1977 musical Easter television special produced by Rankin/Bass Productions, using their “Animagic” stop motion animation. It reunites the writer Romeo Muller. Fred Astaire narrates this musical tale about the Easter Bunny. Puzzling questions like why we have candy in Easter baskets, how Easter eggs came to be and much more are answered! Stop-motion animation.
Here Comes Peter Cottontail – 1971 Easter Special
Peter Cottontail is challenged by the evil Iron tail to a contest to see who can deliver the most decorated eggs. The winner receives the title of Easter Bunny.
Yogi the Easter Bear 1994
Yogi Bear and his pal Boo Boo live in Jellystone Park, where they constantly sneak behind the back of Ranger Smith to steal picnic baskets from unsuspecting vacationers. In this Easter Special, the Easter Bunny has been captured by some crooks who want to spoil the holiday. Can Yogi and Boo Boo rescue the Bunny before the Ranger sells them to the Siberian Circus? A holiday adventure for the whole family. https://archive.org/details/yogi-the-easter-bear-1994
The Land Before Time | The Great Egg Adventure | EASTER SPECIAL
The kids find Sharptooth eggs and, when trying to save the eggs, they move them away from the Valley unaware that an angry mother is looking for them.
The First Easter Rabbit – 1976 Easter Special
It tells the story of the Easter Bunny’s origin. The special is loosely based on the 1922 children’s book The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams.
The Story of Jesus
Hop 2011
Fred, who has never taken life seriously, unintentionally injures an Easter Bunny and is forced to take him in as a guest. Soon, hilarity ensues as they struggle to deal with the situation. https://ww2.watchmovieportal.com/movie/hop/watching.html
Easter has a different purpose and meaning to everyone you ask. This meaning and purpose depend upon with whom and where you grew up. Easter can be either, a Religious Holiday or a Spring Festival. For those that grew up in a religious home, easter is a time to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. If you grew up in a Pagan Household, Easter is a time to celebrate the Spring Equinox and the many births happening in Nature like Animals, flowers, and Trees. No matter what your religious preference is, we can all agree that Easter is a fun holiday with plenty of Games, outdoor time, Family gathering, and food. This post will dig deep into the Origins, Symbols, Practices, and Overall Fun that has come about throughout the forming of Easter as a holiday. This post will start a series of postings with all kinds of Easter Topics such as History, Easter Party Ideas, Recipes, Activities, and Movies. I hope you enjoy this Easter series as much as we have while compiling it for you.
The Oxford Dictionary Defines Easter as;
noun: Easter; plural noun: Easters
the most important and oldest festival of the Christian Church, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ and held (in the Western Church) between March 21 and April 25, on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the northern spring equinox.
Christianity’s History of Easter
Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb on the third day after his crucifixion. Easter is the fulfilled prophecy of the Messiah who would be persecuted, die for our sins, and rise on the third day (Isaiah 53). Remembering the resurrection of Jesus is a way to renew daily hope that we have victory over sin. According to the New Testament, Easter is three days after the death of Jesus on the cross.
Easter follows a period of fasting called Lent, in which many churches set aside time for repentance and remembrance. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Good Friday, the day of Jesus’ crucifixion. The 40 day period was established by Pope Gregory 1 using the 40-day pattern of Israel, Moses, Elijah, and Jesus’ time in the wilderness.
The week leading up to Easter is called The Holy Week, or “Passion Week”, and includes Palm Sunday (the day Jesus entered Jerusalem and was celebrated), Maundy Thursday (the “Last Supper” where Jesus met with his disciples to observe Passover), and Good Friday (when Jesus would be crucified on the cross).
Easter is a very significant date within Christianity and is the foundation of the Christian faith. Jesus, the Son of God, fulfilled prophecy and through his death, has given the gift of eternal life in heaven to those who believe in his death and resurrection.
Eostre: Proper noun: A West Germanic goddess of the spring season.
(paganism) A modern invented pagan festival celebrated either in March or April to welcome the Spring, also called Ostara or Easter.
“The name “Eostre” (Old Germanic “Ostara”), is related to that of Eos, the Greek goddess of dawn, and both can be traced back to a Proto-Indo-European goddess of dawn, thousands of years ago. Her truth, however, is evident every year. She is the first warm spring winds, the birds that return, the trees that bud and curl forth leaves and flowers. She is the awakening earth, rabbits and hares, the eggs that appear after a winter of no light. Ostara is usually depicted as a young maiden. As Ember Cooke writes, “…old enough to bear children, but not a mother.” She is wreathed in flowers or new greenery, and often dances. She is often joyous, but can just as easily turn suddenly solemn, like the spring weather that can quickly turn to rain. Like Spring itself, she is capricious, innocent, and knowing by turns. Ostara gives the gift of newness, which is especially important for those of us who are old and cynical in spirit. If you have lost hope over the winter, ask her for a new infusion of it. If you have lost sight of the goal, ask her for fresh eyes to look upon the problem anew”.(Storytelling for everyone) Source: https://www.northernpaganism.org/shrines/ostara/about.html
Today, we see a secular culture celebrating the spring equinox, whilst religious culture celebrates the resurrection. However, early Christianity made a pragmatic acceptance of ancient pagan practices, most of which we enjoy today at Easter. The general symbolic story of the death of the son (sun) on a cross (the constellation of the Southern Cross) and his rebirth, overcoming the powers of darkness, was a well-worn story in the ancient world.
Origin of Easter: From pagan festivals and Christianity to bunnies and chocolate eggs
“Well, it turns out Easter actually began as a pagan festival celebrating spring in the Northern Hemisphere, long before the advent of Christianity.
“Since pre-historic times, people have celebrated the equinoxes and the solstices as sacred times,” University of Sydney Professor Carole Cusack said.
“The spring equinox is a day where the amount of dark and the amount of daylight is exactly identical, so you can tell that you’re emerging from winter because the daylight and the dark have come back into balance.
“People mapped their whole life according to the patterns of nature.”
Piero della Francesca’s Resurrection painting
Piero della Francesca’s Resurrection (circa 1463) depicting Christ’s triumph over death.(Wikimedia Commons)
Following the advent of Christianity, the Easter period became associated with the resurrection of Christ.
“In the first couple of centuries after Jesus’s life, feast days in the new Christian church were attached to old pagan festivals,” Professor Cusack said.
“Spring festivals with the theme of new life and relief from the cold of winter became connected explicitly to Jesus having conquered death by being resurrected after the crucifixion.”
Pascha
Pascha, Easter and the goddess of spring
In most countries in Europe, the name for Easter is derived from the Jewish festival of Passover.
“So in Greek the feast is called Pascha, in Italian Pasqua, in Danish it is Paaske, and in French it is Paques,” Professor Cusack said.
But in English-speaking countries, and in Germany, Easter takes its name from a pagan goddess from Anglo-Saxon England who was described in a book by the eighth-century English monk Bede.
“Eostre was a goddess of spring or renewal and that’s why her feast is attached to the vernal equinox,” Professor Cusack said.
“In Germany, the festival is called Ostern, and the goddess is called Ostara.”
Rabbits and eggs as ancient symbols of new life
Many of the pagan customs associated with the celebration of spring eventually became absorbed within Christianity as symbols of the resurrection of Jesus.
“Eggs, as a symbol of new life, became a common people’s explanation of the resurrection; after the chill of the winter months, nature was coming to life again,” Professor Cusack said.
Traditionally decorated Easter eggs
A pisanka, pysanka is a Polish-Ukrainian Easter egg, decorated with traditional folk designs using a wax-resist method. The word pisanka comes from the verb pisać, pysaty, “to write” or “to inscribe,” as the designs are not painted on, but written with beeswax. What do pysanky eggs represent? The dyes used to decorate pysanky also had a symbolic meaning. Red symbolized the sun, life, joy; yellow stood for wealth and fertility; green was the symbol of Spring and plant life.
Decorating eggs is still a popular folk custom in eastern Europe.
During the Middle Ages, people began decorating eggs and eating them as a treat following mass on Easter Sunday after fasting through Lent.
“This is actually something that still happens(pysanky), especially in eastern European countries like Poland,” Professor Cusack said.
“The custom of decorating hard-boiled eggs or blown eggs is still a very popular folk custom.”
Rabbits and hares are also associated with fertility and were symbols linked to the goddess Eostre.
The first association of the rabbit with Easter, according to Professor Cusack, was a mention of the “Easter hare” in a book by German professor of medicine Georg Franck von Franckenau published in 1722.
“He recalls a folklore that hares would hide the colored eggs that children hunted for, which suggests to us that as early as the 18th century, decorated eggs were hidden in gardens for egg hunts,” Professor Cusack said”.
Commercialization, Confectionery, and Greeting Cards
Chocolate Easter treats now come in all shapes and sizes.(ABC Radio Canberra: Penny Travers)
Commercialization during the 19th century saw rabbits become a popular symbol of Easter with the growth of the greeting card industry.
“Postage services became affordable and people wanted to keep in touch with people,” Professor Cusack said.
“Card companies like Hallmark became big by launching images of cute little rabbits and Easter eggs on cards.”
The first edible Easter bunnies made from sugared pastry were made in Germany in the 19th century.
Big confectionery companies, like Cadbury in England, started manufacturing chocolate eggs.
“Chocolate that used to be something that’s bitter and drunk became something that was sweetened and turned into a confectionery treat,” Professor Cusack said.
“Easter eggs were one of the areas of marketing for chocolate.”
Today, chocolate eggs and egg hunts are a popular part of Easter celebrations around the world”. (ABC)
The above article was taken from;
Origin of Easter: From pagan festivals and Christianity to bunnies and chocolate eggs
I hope you have enjoyed the rich history of Easter and also discovering where some of the famous symbols and practices originated from. Please be sure to come back and read the other Posts dedicated to Easter and all that it brings. Thanks for reading!
I am a Year-round Christmas Enthusiast. Not only am I an Enthusiast, but I’m also an Elf.
Most people think that a non-north pole Elf only works from November through January 6th, but we non-north pole Elves work 365 days a year. We don’t make toys though; our job is to keep the Spirit of Christmas in the Hearts of mankind all year. We accomplish this through; Random acts of kindness, Volunteering within our Communities, serving others without payment, organizing fundraisers for the needy, lending an ear to someone who could use a friend, donating money and time to Foodbanks and Shelters, and even dressing or acting strange to make others Smile. Elves are normally Anonymous Angels that don’t have wings. We are the Magic makers when things seem bleak and hopeless. We are accompanied by those who Believe in the True Spirit of Christmas which is, Kindness, Love, Charity, and Service to others.
I have always loved Christmas. Some people even say it’s in my blood. You see, my Dad was a Military man (Retired Air Force) who decided to take Santa Claus Classes when we were stationed in Anchorage Alaska. After Buying an Authentic Rabbit fur Santa Suit, he becomes Santa. That meant my brothers and I became Elves. That’s right, Green shirt, Green tights, Green elf hat, and of Course the green curled shoes. I became an Elf when I was 8 years old. I spent 11 years as an Elf standing side by side with my Dad AKA” Santa Claus”. I was the little girl who would listen to Christmas songs and watch Christmas movies all year long. I even kept some Christmas decorations in my room all year. I am pleased to inform you, that I am still that Jolly little Christmas Elf today. It is because of this Christmas Spirit in my Blood, that is why I decided to start a Facebook Group. I hope to share my love of Christmas with everyone I meet, and I encourage you to do the same.
I have been an Elf for 32 years now but didn’t become an Official Elf till last year. I never knew there was an Official group until this year when I met a man named Thomas Hillman. Thanks to Thomas, I was lovingly adopted into the Family of Santa through the following website. https://santatrackers.net/
When I officially became an Elf, I had to take an Oath to Live by the Elf Code.
Being an Elf is a Wonderful Job. I enjoy being an Ambassador of the Christmas Spirit all year long. It makes me Jolly when I do things for other people. I strive to make everyone’s day go better by making them, Laugh, feel loved, and smile. I love spreading Happiness around the World. This is the one job I enjoy doing for free. It’s a Job I am extremely grateful for being a part of. Being an Elf gives you a bigger Family. You become a part of every household that you bless with your Christmas Spirit. I wanted to take my Spirit to Social Media so that I could reach more like-minded individuals. Therefore, I created a Facebook Group Called “Keeping Christmas in your Heart”.
I Created “Keeping Christmas in your Heart” on September 18, 2020. Its main mission is to keep the Christmas Spirit alive all year long. Christmas in your Heart is a Group where you can show your love for all the Wonderful feelings and things Christmas and the Holidays Bring. This is where we can all share in the History, Music, Stories, Recipes, Gift Ideas, Photos, Movies, Cartoons, Animations, and Video Clips of the Holidays but especially Christmas. This Group is my way of getting the public’s attention that Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a feeling and Action that should be carried out every day of the year.
The feeling of Christmas is warm and Magical because the actions we take as Christmas Ambassadors create that warmth. Without Caring for and about our fellow man, Christmas would cease to exist. We need Christmas so that, acts of Kindness can be instilled in us as people. Christmas isn’t about presents, it’s about Presence. Christmas is about Family. Not just blood family, but the people we bring into our Hearts and treat with, Compassion, Love, and Kindness. If you are the type of person that needs some Christmas Spirit or one that loves giving of yourself to help someone that needs some Christmas Spirit, please join my Group and let’s get Christmas Spirit back on track and spread it through the year. https://www.facebook.com/groups/313587793274138/
We all grew up watching this Great Christmas Classic as Kids. Every Christmas season, we couldn’t wait till it aired on the Television. It was the type of Broadcast that could make us Cancel all our Plans with Friends, just to see it. The Christmas Classic I am referring to is, “A Charlie Brown Christmas”.
A Charlie Brown Christmas “is a 1965 animated television special. It is the first TV special based on the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. Produced by Lee Mendelson and directed by Bill Melendez, the program made its debut on CBS on December 9, 1965. In the special, Charlie Brown finds himself depressed despite the onset of the cheerful holiday season. Lucy suggests he direct a neighborhood Christmas play, but his best efforts are ignored and mocked by his peers when he chooses a real, but puny, Christmas tree as a centerpiece. After Linus speaks of the true meaning of Christmas, the neighborhood decorates the tree as a Christmas gift to Charlie Brown.
Now it is time to dive into the History of this Great Classic
After the comic strip’s debut in 1950, Peanuts had become a phenomenon worldwide by the mid-1960s.
Good ol’ Charlie Brown
October 2, 1950: The first Peanuts comic strip, and the first time Charlie Brown is called, “Good ol’ Charlie Brown”. Also the first appearances of Shermy and Patty.
The special was commissioned and sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company and was written over a period of several weeks, and produced on a small budget in six months.
In casting the characters, the producers took an unconventional route, hiring child actors.
The A Charlie Brown Christmas Cast
Snoopy. voiced by Bill Melendez.
Charlie Brown. voiced by Peter Robbins.
Lucy Van Pelt. voiced by Tracy Stratford.
Linus Van Pelt. voiced by Christopher Shea.
Sally Brown. voiced by Cathy Steinberg.
Schroeder. voiced by Chris Doran.
Frieda. voiced by Ann Altieri.
Pig Pen. voiced by Geoffrey Ornstein.
Despite the popularity of the strip and acclaim from advertisers, networks were not interested in the special. Mendelson imagined he would sell his documentary, and blindly agreed to Allen’s proposal: an animated half-hour Peanuts Christmas special. The Coca-Cola Company was looking for a special to sponsor during the holiday season. Mendelson quickly contacted Schulz, and the duo got to work with plans for a Peanuts Christmas special. The duo prepared an outline for the Coca-Cola executives in less than one day, and Mendelson would later recall that the bulk of ideas came from Schulz, whose “ideas flowed nonstop.” the duo received no feedback on their pitch for several days. When Allen got in touch with them, he informed them that Coca-Cola wanted to buy the special, but also wanted it for an early December broadcast, giving the duo just six months to scramble together a team to produce the special. Following this, A Charlie Brown Christmas entered production.
Schulz’s main goal for a Peanuts-based Christmas special was to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. The popularity of the special practically eliminated the popularity of the aluminum Christmas tree, which was a fad from 1958 to 1965, when the special portrayed it negatively. By 1967, just two years after the special first aired, they were no longer being regularly manufactured. The “Charlie Brown Christmas Tree” has been used to comedic effect with people familiar with the special and has become synonymous with poorly executed or minimalist Christmas decorating.
Music
And who could forget the Music this Great Classic had? A Charlie Brown Christmas incorporated some great Jazz ensembles. The Producers of “A Charlie Brown Christmas: Hired American jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi to Compose the Album for their Special. The album was released in December 1965 in the U.S. by Fantasy Records and was Guaraldi’s final studio album for the label. It is the soundtrack to the Christmas television special of the same name.
A Charlie Brown Christmas – Complete Soundtrack
A Charlie Brown Christmas was completed just ten days shy of its national broadcast premiere. The program premiered on CBS on December 9, 1965, at 7:30 pm ET (pre-empting The Munsters), and was viewed by 45% of those watching television that evening, with the number of homes watching the special an estimated 15,490,000, placing it at number two in the ratings, behind Bonanza on NBC. The special received critical acclaim: The Hollywood Reporter deemed the show “delightfully novel and amusing,” while the Weekly Variety dubbed it “fascinating and haunting.”
The original broadcasts included references to the sponsor, Coca-Cola. Because of Dolly Madison’s eventual co-sponsorship of the series, as well as subsequent FCC laws mandating the separation of commercial material from the actual program material, subsequent broadcasts and home media releases removed all references to Coca-Cola products.
A Charlie Brown Christmas has become a Christmas staple in the United States. It also, according to author Charles Solomon, established the half-hour animated special as a television tradition, inspiring the creation of numerous others, including How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966) and Frosty the Snowman (1969). (Earlier animated specials such as Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ran a full hour.) The special influenced dozens of young aspiring artists and animators, many of whom went on to work within both the comics and animation industries, among them Eric Goldberg (Pocahontas), Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc., Up), Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, WALL-E),Jef Mallett (Frazz), and Patrick McDonnell (Mutts). The show’s score made an equally pervasive impact on viewers who would later perform jazz, among them David Benoit and George Winston. More directly, the special launched a series of Peanuts films, TV specials (many of them holiday-themed) and other works of entertainment.” (Wikipedia)
Since I do not own the Streaming site these movies are on, I just wanted to make sure I arm you with Virus protection. To allow all the viewers to see these great Movies for free, Ads are a must. Just be safe!
A Charlie Brown Christmas
When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees amongst everyone during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant. Charlie Brown accepts, but is a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, he needs Linus’ help to learn the meaning of Christmas.
Thanks for Reading with me today. I learned a lot about this Classic holiday Special. I hope you have enjoyed this Content. If you found it interesting, please feel free to Comment, Share, and Subscribe to my Page.
Today I will be Feature 11 Family Christmas Movies that I feel are a great addition to the Traditional Christmas movies we all watch during the Christmas Season. These Movies are Heartwarming and filled with Christmas Spirit. I hope you enjoy my List.
Since I do not own the Streaming site these movies are on, I just wanted to make sure I arm you with Virus protection. To allow all the viewers to see these great Movies for free, Ads are a must. Just be safe!
A Boy Called Christmas
An ordinary young boy called Nikolas sets out on an extraordinary adventure into the snowy north in search of his father who is on a quest to discover the fabled village of the elves, Elfhelm. Taking with him a headstrong reindeer called Blitzen and a loyal pet mouse, Nikolas soon meets his destiny in this magical and endearing story that proves nothing is impossible.
Scott Calvin doesn’t believe in Santa Claus like every adult in the world. But he has to rethink it when he himself turned into Santa and goes around the world to give gifts to children. But how can he keep this biggest secret from his family? Let’s find out!
Eight years have gone by since Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) first took up the Santa Claus suit, and became subject to The Santa Clause. Now Santa is at the top of his game at the North Pole and could not be happier.
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause is a 2006 American Christmas fantasy comedy-adventure film telling the story of Santa, aka Scott Calvin, faced with double-duty: how to keep his new family happy, and how to stop Jack Frost from taking over Christmas.
8-year-old Jessica Riggs is raised by her older brother Steve and father John. Their apple farm has fallen on hard times. John is temporarily being helped by his sister-in-law Sarah.
Disney’s A Christmas Carol is a 2009 American 3D computer-animated motion-capture fantasy film retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic novel about a Victorian-era miser taken on a journey of self-redemption, courtesy of several mysterious Christmas apparitions.
The movie tells the story of young Mariah, who wants nothing more for Christmas than a puppy and has set her eyes on a specific little pooch named Princess. In order to get Princess, though, Mariah must prove she can pet-sit Jack, a rather unruly dog who turns Mariah and her family’s holiday preparations upside down.
Kris Kringle’s daughter, Noelle, sets off on a mission to find and bring back her brother after he gets cold feet when it’s his turn to take over as Santa.
Howard Langston is a workaholic salesman. After his son – Jame missing in karate class, Howard resolves to redeem with a Turbo Man toy, for children that Jamie would like to receive. Unfortunately on the night of Christmas, there is no store selling Turbo Man.
It is an adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol, featuring Scrooge McDuck as his namesake and inspiration Ebenezer Scrooge and Mickey Mouse as Bob Cratchit. This film was based on a 1972 audio musical entitled Disney’s A Christmas Carol. It is a twenty-four-minute animated short film produced by Walt Disney Productions as an accompaniment to a re-release of The Rescuers.
I hope you have enjoyed my selection of Family-friendly Must watch Christmas movies. I hope they helped you rekindle your Christmas Spirit. If you enjoyed the Content leave a comment. Please feel free to; subscribe to my blog, and as always you are welcome to share this post with your groups, Family, Friends, and social media Groups. I have enjoyed spending time with you.
With the Holiday Season in full swing, it is easy to get overwhelmed. We are tasked with making the Holiday; Bright, Joyful, comforting, Festive, and Fun. We feel that obligated to deck the Halls to the max. We feel ashamed if we don’t have the picturesque Christmas that we are forced to see all over the Internet and Tv. We get anxious just thinking about all the Decorating, Shopping, Cleaning, Baking, and room prepping for those holiday guests. In short, we are stressed to the brink of all-out madness. We can’t disappoint our loved ones, especially around the Holidays. So, what do we do? Well, if we don’t have a suitable way to relieve this tension and aggravation, we explode all that pent-up borderline hatred for the Holidays onto our friends and loved ones. If only there was a way to avoid all of this. Have no fear, there is an alternative. This post will walk you through the steps of how to have a great Holiday season and keep your sanity and health.
Stress
Stress is a normal reaction the body has when changes occur. It can respond to these changes physically, mentally, or emotionally. (Mayo Clinic)
What is Holiday Stress
“Holiday stress (or any kind of stress for that matter) is our mind and body’s response to the pressing responsibilities and demands of our lives. Stress is normal. When we experience a threat—whether it’s holiday traffic, passive-aggressive family members, or a family fight over Christmas dinner—our brains flood our bodies with stress hormones, like cortisol and adrenaline. Our bodies prepare to take action. Our heart rates spike. Our pupils dilate. Our muscles tighten.
In the short term, stress can be helpful. It keeps us focused and alert. But living in a chronic state of stress causes horrific damage to our mental and physical health. It’s like slamming your foot on the gas and the brakes at the same time. Eventually, the car engine melts, the brakes fail, and we run the car into the ground.
The holidays should be joyful and restorative, but they’re often demanding. And this season, we’ll need to give ourselves and others some grace—a lot of it. Make no mistake: Stressful events will happen. But here’s the exciting thing: We get to choose how we respond to those events”. (Ramsey Solutions)
Symptoms of Stress
Headaches
Tension in the Neck and Shoulders
Dizziness
Fatigue
Poor Sleep
All these symptoms are a result of stress overload. Stress can affect our mental state too as it elevates levels of cortisol; a hormone that affects the function of the brain. This can result in a worrying, poor concentration, difficulty in making decisions, and uncontrollable thoughts. And to add to the list, emotional symptoms can present as irritability, feelings of being overwhelmed, anxiety, low self-esteem and depression. A person in a high state of stress can cause aggressive or defensive behavior, avoiding situations, poor communication, drinking too much alcohol, and smoking. It can exacerbate mood disorders too. (Well Being People)
Why is it so important to relax during the holidays and work on managing holiday stress?
You can’t bring joy to others when you are stressed out! Managing holiday stress will help you have a more joyful holiday season.
To quiet your mind and make you feel peaceful and calm. Your body also reacts when you relax. For example, your muscles may be less tense and more flexible.
It also aids digestion as we absorb essential nutrients more efficiently when relaxed, which helps to fight off disease and infection.
Relaxing aids positive thinking, concentration, memory and decision making.
How to De-Stress this Holiday Season
Clearly picture the Christmas you want to have.
“Set expectations for yourself and others by painting a picture of what you want your Christmas to look like. Who’s sitting around the table at mealtime? What are you all eating? What are you talking about—or not talking about? Are you laughing with your kids as you make Santa-shaped pancakes? Or are you holding hands with your spouse in front of the fire? Maybe you dusted off the old vinyl Christmas album, and you’re jamming away.
Whatever it is, keep that picture at the front of your mind. Share your picture with your loved ones so they can understand where you’re coming from. Ask them to paint a picture of what they want too so you can choose to honor them.
And if something comes up that threatens to take the place of what’s truly important to you and your family, give yourselves permission to say no. Let your calendar and to-do list reflect your picture of Christmas that you want to experience.
Avoid family conflict.
Even the best families can drive you crazy. So this year, before you even pack your bags, spend some time thinking about the potential conflicts that will pop up with family. If your dad has a pattern of talking bad about a particular group of people, don’t be surprised when he begins one of his rants. You can’t change him—but you do get to decide how you respond. You can ask him to stop, or you can get up and leave. Settle in your heart and your mind what you will and won’t tolerate.
Then, create a plan of action and send an email ahead of time to make it clear that you don’t want to talk about politics or your little brother’s addiction. And if someone violates that agreement while you’re there, you get to walk out. Pay attention to when you feel uncomfortable, awkward, unsafe, embarrassed or trapped. If someone is drunk or angry or using foul language, you get to decide to walk away”. (Ramsey Solutions)
Share Holiday “work” with friends and family.
“Consider asking friends or family members if they would like to share in the cooking to make everyone’s life easier. Have others bring over dishes so that you don’t have to spend the entire day cooking for Christmas dinner, Hanukkah dinner or to celebrate New Year’s.
Don’t look at your phone first thing in the morning.
Avoid your phone when you wake up. Keep your phone away from your bed so you can’t reach it or turn it off.
Technology stimulates your brain. Reading emails, news or other information on technological devices can excite you, disappoint you or stress you out. Try to ease into your day without the stimulation of technology and strong reactions”. (Forbes)
Get some sunlight
“It stimulates the production of feel-good serotonin and also helps relieve seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which impacts millions of Americans every year, Judith Orloff, MD, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles, tells Health.
To ease SAD symptoms, spend time outdoors or near a window on sunny days, or ask your doc about phototherapy (a treatment using a box that emits full-spectrum light).
Get outside and move.
Many people tend to put physical exercise on the back burner because they don’t feel like they have the time. During the holidays, make the time. Go for a run in the morning or a walk in the afternoon. Get some fresh air. You have the time, but you have to want to do it.
Sniff citrus essential oil
Researchers studying depression have found that certain citrus fragrances boost feelings of well-being and alleviate stress by upping levels of norepinephrine, a hormone that affects mood.
For an all-day pick-me-up, dab a little lemon or orange essential oil on a handkerchief to tuck in your pocket.
Do less, enjoy more
“We go overboard to please others during the holidays: shopping, cooking, sending cards, and attending every event,” George Pratt, PhD, a psychologist at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla in California, tells Health. “Instead, take care of yourself by saying no at least once—and maybe more.”
Forget perfection
“Stop obsessing over doing it all. The world is not going to end if the house is a little cluttered or dinner is on the table a few minutes late. “Focus your energy on enjoying the people in your life,” Donna Schempp, the program director for the Family Caregiver Alliance, tells Health. Don’t sweat the small stuff and your holiday will be much more enjoyable!
Limit tech use
Constant cell phone buzzes and email alerts keep us in a perpetual fight-or-flight mode due to bursts of adrenaline. Not only is this exhausting, but it contributes to mounting stress levels, especially in women. What better time to turn your gadgets off than during a holiday get-together? Enjoy spending time with your family and friends without worry.
Savor a spicy meal
Hot foods trigger the release of endorphins—the natural chemicals that trigger feelings of euphoria and well-being, Dr. Kulze says.
Say yes, yes, yes!—to sex
In addition to boosting immunity, a satisfying romp can slay stress and raise self-esteem, experts say. Orgasms increase endorphins (natural painkillers) and raise oxytocin levels, which promotes sound sleep.
Turn up the tunes
Anxious? Listen to your favorite music, whether it’s Jingle Bell Rock or the latest from Jay-Z. Research from the University of Maryland shows that hearing music you love can relax blood vessels and increase blood flow. That not only calms you down but is good for your heart, too.
Add mango to your meal
Craving something sweet? Ditch the holiday cheesecake and try a delicious mango pie instead. The sweet, tangy scent of mangoes—whether they’re fresh or jarred—may alter your blood chemistry and send a wave of calm over your body, research in Pharmacognosy Review shows”. (Health)
Laugh!
Laughing like crazy reduces stress hormones. That, in turn, helps immune cells function better, psychologist Steve Wilson, founder of the World Laughter Tour, an organization that offers therapeutic-laughter training, tells Health. (Jackson Health)
Stick to a budget. Before you do your gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don’t try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts. (Mayo Clinic)
Try these alternatives:
Donate to a charity in someone’s name.
Give homemade gifts.
Start a family gift exchange.
Watch your favorite holiday movies.
“This idea for relaxing during the holidays is definitely one of the most fun and festive ideas!
Spending an evening binge watching your favorite holiday movies is a great way to unwind and relax while staying in a joyful mood.
Note: I said YOUR favorite holiday movies. This is about keeping you relaxed so watch the movies you like not just your significant other or children’s favorite holiday movies. You can watch theirs another night!
Have a self-care night.
Self-care nights are always a great option for relaxing but during the holidays they are even more important.
It is so easy to get caught up in making sure your loved ones are all having a great holiday season that you forget to take care of yourself.
So, take a few hours at night to take care of yourself and do your favorite self-care items.
Bake your all-time favorite holiday treat.
Baking is a great way to focus on something more positive and it keeps you busy enough that you can’t be stressing about holiday things.
Light some candles and take a bubble bath.
This is a wonderful relaxation activity that can really help you unwind and destress during holiday times.
And you can make it feel more festive by lighting holiday scented candles and using holiday bath bombs or bubble bath”! (Korra Shay)
Breathe, reframe, redirect.
Interacting with family and friends you haven’t seen in a while can be a recipe for disaster. Make the decision to be responsive rather than reactive. People get angry and offended when comments or opinions become overly internalized. But it’s not always about you. A simple technique is to externalize frustrations — take a breath, then reframe anything negative as an issue that has to do with the other person rather than you. This isn’t a license to shift blame when you’re at fault, but it’s good to remember that you’re not always the problem.
De-Stress: to release bodily or mental tension : UNWIND
Dictionary
Step Away from The Screen
Uninterrupted computer use has been associated with stress, lost sleep and depression in women, according to a study from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. In the same study, late night computer use was also associated with stress — in both men and women. Huffington Post
Get a Plant
Plants aren’t just pleasing. They help change your environment and that can help with your stress levels. If you find that you get headaches by the end of the workday, it might not be those fluorescent lights. Prevention Magazine sites that studies show people who work near plants are less likely to suffer from fatigue and headaches. Plants are natural air purifiers, why not try it out at your office? (CBC)
Any of us who have pets know they make us feel good. (CBC)
Pucker Up
Kissing relieves stress by helping your brain to release endorphins, reports WebMD. And that has real-life implications: In a study of 2,000 couples, Northwestern University researcher Laura Berman, Ph.D., found that those who only kissed when they had sex were eight times more likely to report feeling chronically stressed or depressed. (Huffington Post)
Treat Yourself! Eat One (ONE!) Candy
Eating or drinking something sweet is soothing because it stems the production of the stress hormone, glucocorticoid (which helps explain why we find ourselves staring down the barrel of an empty cookie package when things go haywire). While not an excuse to unleash your emotional eating on the office vending machine, a Hershey’s Kiss, peppermint candy or other reasonably-sized treat, can help. (Huffington Post)
Chew A Piece of Gum
Chewing gum doesn’t just make your breath better — it can relieve anxiety, improve alertness and reduce stress during episodes of multitasking, according to a 2008 study. ( Huffington Post)
Watch A Viral Video
A good laugh is a fine relaxation technique. “Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain,” explains the Mayo Clinic. (Huffington Post)
Potassium helps to regulate blood pressure, which rises during times of stress. Some people find that eating a banana when they’re feeling stressed can help improve energy and recovery. And research shows that it can protect your body from the negative effects of stress, like increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The American Psychological Association recommends it to stave off the physical detriments of stress as well. (Huffington Post)
Coloring
Coloring page for adults
Coloring has the ability to relax the fear center of your brain, the amygdala. It induces the same state as meditating by reducing the thoughts of a restless mind. This generates mindfulness and quietness, which allows your mind to get some rest after a long day at work. (Health Essentials)
Relaxation is defined as; the state of being free from tension and anxiety.
The Following are six relaxation techniques that can help you evoke the relaxation response and reduce stress.
Breath focus. In this simple, powerful technique, you take long, slow, deep breaths (also known as abdominal or belly breathing). As you breathe, you gently disengage your mind from distracting thoughts and sensations. Breath focus can be especially helpful for people with eating disorders to help them focus on their bodies in a more positive way. However, this technique may not be appropriate for those with health problems that make breathing difficult, such as respiratory ailments or heart failure.
Breathing Techniques to Help You Relax
Reducing Stress Through Deep Breathing
Body scan
2. Body scan. This technique blends breath focus with progressive muscle relaxation. After a few minutes of deep breathing, you focus on one part of the body or group of muscles at a time and mentally releasing any physical tension you feel there. A body scan can help boost your awareness of the mind-body connection. If you have had a recent surgery that affects your body image or other difficulties with body image, this technique may be less helpful for you.
In the body scan, you methodically bring attention to the body, beginning with the left foot and ending at the top of the head.
You may notice a wide range of physical feelings:
pain
aches
itches
tingles
firmness
lightness
heaviness
warmth & cold
as well as neutrality
Some of these sensations may be accompanied by thoughts or emotions. As you practice the body scan, this multitude of sensations and internal experiences can be boiled down to three basic feelings:
Neutral
Pleasant
Unpleasant
Since the body is a dynamic organism that’s always changing, no two body scans will ever be completely alike.
Body Scan: Ohio Health Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
3. Guided imagery. For this technique, you conjure up soothing scenes, places, or experiences in your mind to help you relax and focus. You can find free apps and online recordings of calming scenes—just make sure to choose imagery you find soothing and that has personal significance. Guided imagery may help you reinforce a positive vision of yourself, but it can be difficult for those who have intrusive thoughts or find it hard to conjure up mental images.
Guided Imagery 15 minutes
Guided Meditation for Children | Your Magical Island | Kids Relaxation
Guided Meditation for Children | Your Secret Treehouse | Relaxation for Kids
Mindfulness Meditation
4. Mindfulness meditation. This practice involves sitting comfortably, focusing on your breathing, and bringing your mind’s attention to the present moment without drifting into concerns about the past or the future. This form of meditation has enjoyed increasing popularity in recent years. Research suggests it may be helpful for people with anxiety, depression, and pain.
Meditation for Anxiety – Yoga with Adriene
Guided Meditation For Deep Relaxation, Anxiety, Sleep or Depression – Beginners Yoga Meditation
Yoga, Tai Chi, and Qigong
5. Yoga, tai chi, and qigong. These three ancient arts combine rhythmic breathing with a series of postures or flowing movements. The physical aspects of these practices offer a mental focus that can help distract you from racing thoughts. They can also enhance your flexibility and balance. But if you are not normally active, have health problems, or a painful or disabling condition, these relaxation techniques might be too challenging. Check with your doctor before starting them.
Yoga for Complete Beginners – 20 Minute Home Yoga Workout!
Yoga for Seniors | Slow and Gentle Yoga
Tai Chi for Beginners Video | Dr Paul Lam | Free Lesson and Introduction
Qigong for Beginners
Repetitive Prayer
6. Repetitive prayer. For this technique, you silently repeat a short prayer or phrase from a prayer while practicing breath focus. This method may be especially appealing if religion or spirituality is meaningful to you. (Harvard University)
CALMING Scripture: Affirmations and Verse, Soft Music ( Anxiety, Stress, Insomnia)
Reach Out
Your social network is one of your best tools for handling stress. Talk to others — preferably face to face, or at least on the phone. Share what’s going on. You can get a fresh perspective while keeping your connection strong.
Listening to Music
The Power of Music to Reduce Stress
Listening to music can have a tremendously relaxing effect on our minds and bodies, especially slow, quiet classical music. This type of music can have a beneficial effect on our physiological functions, slowing the pulse and heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing the levels of stress hormones. Music, in short, can act as a powerful stress management tool in our lives. (Psych Central)
As music can absorb our attention, it acts as a distraction at the same time it helps to explore emotions. This means it can be a great aid to meditation, helping to prevent the mind wandering. (Psych Central)
The 10 Most Relaxing Songs In The World, According To Science
A study conducted by neuroscientists from Mindlab International recorded participants’ physiological responses to specific songs while solving complex puzzles. Based on the results, the scientists came up with the 10 most relaxing songs.
Marconi Union, “Weightless”
The reason for this, as explained by Lyz Cooper of the British Academy of Sound Therapy, is that the song utilizes a biomusicological phenomenon called “entrainment.” Cooper reports, “The song contains a sustaining rhythm that starts at 60 beats per minute and gradually slows to around 50. While listening, your heart rate gradually comes to match that beat.” (Study Breaks)
Airstream, “Electra”
This relaxing song has similarities to “Weightless.” The tempo matches the optimal resting heart rate of 60 to 65 beats per minute. The mid-range frequencies and absence of a low, heavy bass is less taxing on the nervous system. (Study Breaks)
What makes this song relaxing is the reverb guitar above the ostinato, which is a repetitive musical pattern. The repetition frees the mind to feel the music rather than analyze it.
As the title of the song suggests, the beat is mellow and even a little bit sensual. The rainstick and the conga-like drum conjure visions of sipping something frozen on a tropical island. (Study Breaks)
Enya, “Watermark”
“Watermark” has a simple yet lovely piano arrangement, with a subtle chorus of human voices. Layered with the chorus is a synthesizer accompaniment that creates white noise, which has been proven to induce tranquility. Save yourself the money on a white noise machine and just listen to this song. (Study Breaks)
Coldplay, “Strawberry Swing”
This is the first relaxing song on the list with lyrics, which proves that music does not have to be instrumental to be soothing. It has a slightly higher tempo and does not really promote relaxation so much as a feeling of contentment.
The lyrics themselves contribute to the carefree vibe, and even the video is fun to watch. (Study Breaks)
Barcelona, “Please Don’t Go”
Just like in “Electra,” the second song on this list, “Please Don’t Go” lacks a heavy bass and uses high and mid-range frequencies in the piano and the strings. It is also written in minor key, which is commonly found in sad songs. (Study Breaks)
All Saints, “Pure Shores”
You can be alert and relaxed at the same time, which is the optimal state according to yoga practitioners. So even though it is uplifting and groovy, “Pure Shores” for shore deserves a spot on the most relaxing songs list. (Study Breaks)
Adele, “Someone Like You”
According to scientists, almost everything about this song is arranged to reduce the audience to tears.
“When the chorus breaks, Adele’s voice jumps an octave and belts out the notes with increasing volume,” a writer from The Daily Mail wrote. “At the same time, the harmony shifts and the lyrics become more dramatic.” Maybe at first you cannot see why this song is relaxing, but someone who is highly stressed just needs to let it all out with a good cry. (Study Breaks)
Mozart, “Canzonetta Sull’aria”
Mozart’s hallmark mathematical precision, coupled with the angelic female voices, is aurally pleasing. It is light, it is uncomplicated, and it does not ask much of the listener beyond simply enjoying the music. (Study Breaks)
Cafe Del Mar, “We Can Fly”
The mid-tempo beat invokes images of traveling to far-off exotic lands. It is almost a requirement for an ambient song to incorporate white noise, but because it is effective, we will give it a pass. (Study Breaks)
While these songs each have distinctive styles, they share common elements such as white noise, low to mid-tempo and simple arrangements. If you find yourself feeling stressed, consider adding a song or two (or maybe all of them!) to your chillout playlist. (Study Breaks)
For your Listening Conveyance, I have put them all on one playlist that can be found here.
Playlist
Go to lunch and don’t rush
Take a long lunch break at least three times a week. Don’t do business during lunch. Read a novel over a cup of tea. Go to a museum. Sit quietly by a stream. Eat slowly. Try a new restaurant. Go out with a good friend and agree not to discuss problems or business.
Walk every day
Walk by yourself or with a friend. Talk about possibilities, not problems.
Exercise more
Join an aerobics class, go to the gym, play tennis, ride a bike, hike on weekends, go to a fitness resort, or jog with friends. Exercise will do more to reduce stress hormones and chemicals in our body than any other activity.
30 minute fat burning home workout for beginners. Achievable, low impact results.
30-Minute Cardio Latin Dance Workout
30-Minute Low-Impact Dance Grooves Workout
Dance Off The Inches – Country – Line Dance Party (41:40min)
Dance Off The Inches – Tummy Tone Party (38:56min)
The Best Scents for Relaxation and Sleep
Lavender: Long thought to contain a calming fragrance, this plant has been used to quell anxiety and agitation for ages. Its scent may slow down the nervous system, which relaxes the body and mind to improve sleep quality. Incorporating the scent into a relaxing massage by using a lavender-infused massage oil may have even more pronounced sleep-promoting effects.
Vanilla: This fragrance is famous for being a potent relaxer. In fact, people who smelled vanilla while completing a stress test had more stable heart rates and better blood pressure readings than those who took the stress test in an unscented room.
Valerian: It’s well known for its anxiety-reducing effects when taken orally. But the scent of valerian may further aid in helping you sleep: Rats who sniffed the pungent herb fell asleep faster and slept longer than those who didn’t. (Truth be told, valerian’s odor is reported to be less-than-fresh smelling. In the study with rats, the fragrance of roses gave a similar, though not quite as impactful, outcome. So if you can’t stand the smell of valerian, try the smell of roses!)
Jasmine: With delicate white petals, this flower’s sweet smell packs a surprising sleep punch. People who inhaled the scent while they slept experienced greater sleep efficiency, less movement during slumber, and overall better quality sleep. Surprisingly, its effects were even more powerful than those of lavender!
Any scent you love Simply put, any fragrance that makes you happy can promote sleep. Your olfactory system is directly linked to the emotional center in your brain—so when you sniff something that brings back a good memory (like pumpkin pie) or makes you feel excited and full of anticipation (such as the smell of sunscreen), your body releases feel-good, relaxing chemicals that can set the stage for great sleep. Once you’ve found your sleep-enhancing scent, bring it into your bedroom. Buying a fragrant candle is an easy way to add fragrance to your space (just be sure to blow it out before your head hits the pillow!). You could also put a few drops of essential oil into a spray bottle with water and gently mist your pillow before bed, or sprinkle a few drops of scent onto a cloth or handkerchief and tuck it under your pillow. Sweet dreams!
I hope this post has helped you relax! I know I experienced total relaxation from the experience. If you benefited from this Post, please feel free to; Like, Comment, Share and Subscribe. See you soon!
Angelika's World 