Sleigh the holidays with the following fun twists on our team’s cherished family traditions. With new tools and resources created to help us stay connected, getting the family “together” for the holidays has become easier than ever. Whether you are near or far from your family, we are here to help you connect as you choose for the holidays. Now is the perfect time to consider creating new traditions or revamping the ones you have in place!
Fall in Love with Hosting Sustainable Meals with Friends
Embrace fall flavors by preparing meals using local and seasonal ingredients. Challenge your friends or family to craft a delightful meal sourced exclusively from locally grown, seasonal, and sustainably harvested produce. This not only fosters support for local farmers but also minimizes the environmental impact associated with transporting food over long distances. For an extra eco-friendly twist, make it a 'meat-free' challenge. Spend a leisurely afternoon exploring a vibrant produce market, fill your tote with fresh finds, and see what delicious creations you can conjure up in the kitchen. Bon Appétit
Add Some Green for Goodness Sake
Plant some trees on behalf of a loved one as a gift that keeps on giving, through initiatives like Trees4Travel, which is focused on reforestation in Nepal, where less than 30% of the original forests remain, decimating local communities and wildlife. For a nominal fee, individuals or corporations can make a one-off purchase or a monthly subscription to plant trees. The program offers benefits like tracking the location and growth of the planted trees, calculating CO2 emissions from trips, and supporting the welfare of local planting communities. This initiative emphasizes planting indigenous trees for maximum environmental impact and ensuring a safe planet for future generations.
Make Merry and Bright for Others
Experience the joy of strolling through the local holiday markets, where the delightful combination of sipping on a warm cup of hot chocolate, engaging with fellow attendees, and supporting local craftspeople creates a truly magical atmosphere. These markets have become not just a place to find unique gifts but also a hub for sustainable shopping. In response to the increasing demand for eco-friendly options, vendors are making conscious choices, from the products they offer to the sustainable wrapping they provide. Don't forget to bring your reusable bags to carry the treasures you'll discover, knowing that every eco-conscious choice contributes to a positive impact. It's not just a shopping spree; it's a sustainable and community-driven holiday experience.
Digitize Your Happy Snaps
According to recent statistics from Stanford University, 2.65 billion – yes billion - holiday cards are purchased in the USA annually. That’s enough landfill for a football field 10 stories high! Of course, many families look forward to their annual photoshoot, taking time to capture a picture-perfect image and sending it to loved ones. You can be socially thoughtful and still send cheer by making your cards a digital share – you may end up being grandma’s favorite screensaver! For quality results, you can use a picture editing tool to create your holiday card and have your family members send you their best “elfie” to be photoshopped or collaged in. Or go the extra step and make it a video! Senior Creative Services Coordinator with CSI DMC, Devyn Dohner, loves the ElfYourself app to create a fun, family video to send and spread the holiday cheer every year.
Take Solo Time for Healing and Growth
For those who relish the holiday period as a time for solitude and introspection, it becomes an opportunity for profound healing, personal reflection, relaxation, and self-care. Immerse yourself in mindful meditation, focusing on gratitude, reflection, and setting intentions for the upcoming year. Journaling provides an excellent outlet for processing thoughts and feelings, offering a tangible record of personal growth and future aspirations. Alternatively, delve into creative pursuits such as painting, writing, or crafting. Consider dedicating an evening to yourself, where you can immerse yourself in a favorite book or movie. However, you choose to navigate the Holiday Season, whether with family, friends or in solo contemplation, seize every moment – after all, the season only graces us once a year!