Christmas Archives - American Greetings Blog

5 Ways to Brighten Your Spirits If You’re Feeling Lonely at the Holidays

5 Ways to Lose the Lonely and Make Your Holiday Happy

“I’ll be home for Christmas…if only in my dreams.” Did you know that holiday classic, recorded by the legendary Bing Crosby in 1943, was originally written to honor soldiers overseas who longed to be home at Christmastime? While the holidays are all about spending time with family and friends, there are so many people who aren’t able to travel home, or don’t have any place to go during this season, and end up feeling downright lonely in the midst of all the holly jolly.

If you’re feeling a bit like your merry has headed south for the winter, one of the best ways to kick those grinchy feelings to the curb is to engage in certain activities that will get you to reach out to friends and loved ones near and far, as well as the people around you. The antidote to loneliness is connecting, so we’ve rounded up five easy ways to help you do just that. (Warning: these ideas will tend to bring out your inner Cheermeister.)

1. Break out the Skype along with the eggnog. These days, Skype make it so easy to feel like you’re there even when you can’t be. If family is gathering together, or you have friends in another state and you can’t be with them, there’s no need for you to spend the holidays alone. Link up long distance and join the conversation and merriment. Thanks to modern technology, you can still bake those traditional family cookies right along with Mom and Grandma, or catch up with your brother, aunt, or a special friend as you wrap presents together from afar.

2. Cultivate gratitude and put pen to paper. It’s well known that expressing gratitude improves your health, so grab a pen and some holiday cards and send some to the people you love and are missing. Thank them for being supportive, for always being able to make you smile, or for those hysterical moments you shared together that you’ll never forget. A fun idea to do for kids or grandkids away at school is to write 12 separate notes or cards for each of the 12 Days of Christmas. You’ll not only be giving them 12 days of fun in their mailbox, but you’ll be creating a great memory, too, for the both of you, while automatically feeling closer. And if you need a nudge to get all the fuzzy feels going, we have ideas for what to write to help get you started. (We also guarantee that you’ll start to feel your heart grow three sizes.)

3. Warm hands, warm heart: share a cup of cheer. Research actually suggests that taking a warm bath or having a comforting hot drink like coffee can help counteract feelings of loneliness. Even those ivy leaguers at Yale have found that adults and young children are more social after they’ve touched something warm. So if you can’t sit down with your own family this year, what better reason to ask a neighbor over for coffee? Or meet up with some friends you haven’t seen in a while at your local coffee shop? And while you’re at it, pay it forward and surprise a police officer or bell ringer with a cup, and watch their face light up like a Christmas tree.

4. Volunteer and make someone happy. There’s a saying that goes, “A sure way to be happy is to make someone else happy.” If you’re far away from the people you care about, sharing something, even if it’s with complete strangers, is one of the best things you can do for yourself when you’re feeling down, plus you’ll be immersed in the true spirit of the holiday season. And don’t forget our furry friends, too — local animal shelters are always in need of extra hands, and, like gratitude, animals have a positive effect on heath and can soothe isolated feelings while bringing an overabundance of comfort at the same time.

Focus on what brings you joy - 5 Ways to Lose the Lonely and Make Your Holiday Happy 5. Focus on what brings you joy. Doing things you love will help soothe your feelings of loneliness. Whether it’s painting, crafts, baking, being outside, or watching favorite holiday movies, don’t forget to treat yourself to the things that feed your soul. Always watched “It’s a Wonderful Life” with someone who you’re not with this year? Invite a neighbor or someone else you know who may be feeling alone, to watch it with you. Oftentimes, it’s sharing what we love that brings us the most happiness.

As Kris Kringle in Miracle on 34^th Street reminds us, “Christmas isn’t just a day; it’s a frame of mind,” and we hope that during the holiday season these ideas will help bridge the distance between you and the people you love, as you find joy in the spaces in-between.

Gratitude for Family at the Holidays

December 12 By American Greetings

two Christmas cards placed together with tiny mittens When we think of the holidays, we think of festive parties and gatherings, snow and cocoa, warm fireside chats, and shopping until we’re weak in the knees. But what we’re constantly circling around is family; our beautiful, often crazy, sometimes drives-us-nuts-but-we-couldn’t-make-it-without-them family. Our families are the heart of our holidays, and whether it’s a feeling of comfort or disappointment when we think of them, they’re the people who love us no matter what, and this is the time to celebrate that love together.

Especially during this month of December, we want to focus on and think about the gratitude we feel for our families, so we’ve asked several people to share their stories and feelings about their own families with us. We hope you’ll be inspired to think about how and why your family fills you with gratitude at this special time of year.

I am grateful my family and home is a happy and healthy place…that we’ve gotten through some hardships and now have jobs and enough money to pay all the bills and enjoy our holiday festivities…that my children have good schools with kind, supportive, and hardworking teachers and staff…that despite the very painful loss of a loved one this year, all of my siblings will soon be together again to laugh and cry – in faith, peace, and love. Rosanna J.; PA

Since my family lives on opposite coasts, Christmas is the only time we see each other. Some years, weather or travel issues have made it difficult for us to get together, so I’m always grateful when we’re able to all be together and hug each other. Adam H., California

I love the Christmas season because my grandparents are still around. I feel very fortunate as a 26-year-old to have both my 93 year old grandpa and grandma. They live just down the street, so we do lots of fun things around the holidays. My grandma loves to bake. I’ll go over there a few times throughout the weeks leading up to Christmas to help her make some traditional desserts. My grandpa’s birthday is Christmas Eve. We do a brunch every Christmas Eve with my mom’s side of the family. Christmas Day they all come over to my parents’ house! My grandma is super talented at the piano and will just sit and play Christmas songs for hours! It truly is the best feeling of smelling all the traditional meals and scents of Christmas, the sound of Christmas music from the piano, and all the fun things that happen year after year because they are still around! Olivia V.; Ohio

My mom just had back surgery and is getting out of the hospital and will be home just in time for Christmas. I’m so relieved her surgery went well, and she’ll be able to be at home with us
because it just wouldn’t be the same without her here.” Sophie S.; Missouri

I love that my brothers, sisters and I all continue the same St. Nicholas tradition that my parents did for us when we were all growing up. When we get together, everyone shares their stories of how they pulled it off for their children that year, and it’s always a highlight of our gathering. I’ve always been grateful that my parents did something so magical for us as children that it made us all want to carry on the tradition. Lizabeth M.; Ohio

I’ve always been grateful for my darling Rose’s famous holiday cookies and coffee cake. Oh, the tree might be crooked or maybe a cow got loose and broke through the fence, but those things can never dampen the feeling of entering the house and being greeted by that delicious bakery smell that only my darling Rose can create. We send her goodies across the country each year to all our grandchildren, and they’ll call us as soon as the box arrives. There’s nothing sweeter on earth. Carl K.; Indiana

I love having my family around at the holidays, because it’s the only chance we have to all get together at the same time. I’m happy my mom is still around to be able to share in this season with us, too. Gina R.; Ohio

My brothers and sisters and I live in different states, but we always try and get together on a day between Christmas and New Year’s. When we’re finally all together, talking and laughing, it always feels like coming home again – that’s the best feeling ever, and I’m grateful for every year I get to feel it. Carla R.; Pennsylvania

Best Gifts Ever (And How To Be The Best Gift Giver Ever)

December 5 By American Greetings

Best gift ever

Let’s take a moment to think about holidays past. Have you ever said out loud, “BEST GIFT EVER!”

When you said it, were you the giver of the gift… or the receiver?

If you were the gift giver, you may recall the excitement and anticipation of finding something just perfect for your recipient, and the joy you felt making their wish come true. Just what is it about giving gifts that creates happiness in all of us?

Well, there’s actually a thing behind it! Neurological, behavioral and psychological studies report that our brains react just as positively giving gifts… as receiving them. Turns out your brain may light up just the way their face does when they open it! So yep, it’s really a thing! No wonder it’s the season of joy. And, now we know where the phrase “‘tis better to give and to receive” comes from!

If you were the recipient of that best Christmas gift ever, or that best Kwanzaa or best Hanukkah gift ever, think about the joy you felt when you opened it. Maybe it made you emotional. Maybe it made you cry. Or, smile a perma-smile. Now think back to why the gift was so special to you. This holiday season, how about reminding the person who gave it to you how important it still is to you? What better way to spread holiday cheer?

We can all agree – the best gifts ever are those that reflect things that are most meaningful to your someone special. The perfect gift is a reflection of their personality, sense of humor, what they believe in, think, or love. If you’re stuck on what to give someone this year, we’ve got some great Christmas gift ideas if you need a little help this season.

A Few of Our Favorite Feels

In this season of joy, here are some of our fave “best gift ever” stories from this holiday season. Spoiler alert – they’ll pull on your heartstrings a little bit. (And notice, none are ties, socks, or handbags.) They’re gifts based in love and sharing, in experience, memory making, and connection. That’s exactly what this season of joy is all about, after all.

Frame-Worthy Feelings

My daughter loves the water. When she was four, she asked my husband to print out a picture of her and I at the beach on vacation. Three months later during the holidays, she brought out a very special present for me that my husband knew nothing about. When I opened the very thoughtfully wrapped box with a bow she tied herself (almost), I discovered a frame decorated with shells she collected, framing the picture of us from that vacation. My husband did not know anything of her creative little secret, and I cry when I think of how good she did keeping it all on her own! ~Sylvia P, NY

Gifts That Keep On Giving Goodies

I received box of treasured family recipes from my mother handed down by my great-grandmother, through four generations. The box included about 20 handwritten recipes from generations of women in my family, explaining why each person loved the recipe they contributed, and memories of the meals that went along with each one. What an amazing way to preserve tradition! ~Jill J, OH

Music To My Years

The best gift I ever received was a play six string guitar from my parents when I was seven. I asked Santa for it for 3 years in a row! Who knew it would come to shape who I am as a musician today, and would be a part of time spent with so many others who share my faith. ~Ron T, CA

Memories on Track

When I was six, my father and I set up a train set in our attic. It was just the two of us, so that time was really special. As I grew older, I played with it less and less. But when I was twelve, I received a thoughtful Christmas gift from my father I’ll never forget – a Lionel 8800 Steam engine. This was no ordinary engine. It was die-cast metal, and I knew how much time it took him to find it, driving all around the city (pre-internet). I learned only later that he was very ill that year. Now, when I set up the train during the holidays it reminds me of these special times we shared when he was alive, and the loving effort he took to find it. ~Sean W, OH

As you can see – there’s a common thing that runs through all of these – thoughtful gifts that began with a little bit of forethought, an idea that’s unique to the recipient, and each delivered lasting memories or a reminder of time shared.

This holiday season, if you open up a present and say “BEST GIFT EVER”… consider yourself lucky. Because someone obviously really cares about you. And isn’t it nice to know they’re just as happy watching you open it?

Ways to Recognize Loss During the Holidays

November 29 By American Greetings

Pine tree with Christmas lights in the snow The tree is trimmed and twinkling, all the gifts are beautifully wrapped and the table is set for dinner. Yet it still feels like something is missing, despite all the season’s cheer. Those who’ve lost a loved one know this feeling all too well, and they may be looking for ways to find comfort by honoring those who have passed. Friends and family of the grieving might not know what to say or how they can help. But there are many ways to remember, to celebrate life and to show support.

Michelle Persichetti of Columbus, Ohio has experience coping with grief during the holidays. Michelle lost two loved ones around Christmas—her father and her uncle, both suddenly and unexpectedly.

“It’s a strange feeling with grief because there’s a lot of support at the beginning, as there should be, and then people go on with their lives, as they should,” says Michelle. “But you’re still dealing with the loss.”

Michelle believes that words are the most powerful way to show kindness and support to someone who is grieving, whether it’s a phone call, a text or a handwritten note. But sometimes, if you’re afraid to open wounds that have started to heal, it can be hard to send that text or mail that card. Instead of avoiding the loss or acting like it didn’t happen, remember that for those who have lost someone close, it’s always on their mind. The loss is a part of them.

Every year, Michelle memorializes her uncle by writing a thoughtful reflection, sometimes posting it on Facebook. Last time she did so, Michelle’s aunt texted her to tell her that she had just read Michelle’s words at her uncle’s gravestone.

“You never know when your words are helping someone,” says Michelle. “… If you’re afraid to approach someone who’s gone through something like this, don’t be, because they’ve already been through a lot of hardship, so your words can be healing.”

To honor her father, who passed away the day after Christmas, she and her family take a trip to Cleveland each year.

“My dad loved his church,” Michelle says. “It’s in downtown Cleveland, and we go there the Sunday after Christmas every year and go to Little Italy and celebrate his life.”

If you’re struggling to cope with grief this holiday season, here are some suggestions for remembering and honoring those who have passed:

Light a candle for loved ones lost. White candles are associated with healing and remembrance, so they’re especially nice to honor those who have passed.
Go to their favorite place of worship. Even if you don’t practice the same religion, it can be comforting to feel a spiritual connection with your lost loved one in the place where they found solace and celebrated their faith.
Bring the holiday spirit to them. Gather some holiday joy and take it to their resting place. You could leave them poinsettias, cut flowers, a wreath, or even a little porcelain snowman trinket.
Serve their signature dish as part of your holiday feast. Whether it’s Grandma’s candied yams, your brother’s green bean casserole or Auntie’s pineapple upside-down cake, find comfort in their favorite recipes.
Save them a place. Leave a seat for them at the table, with a place-setting and maybe even a photo to honor their memory.
Make a toast. Celebrate their lifetime achievements or share a favorite memory around the dinner table. Cheers!
Make an ornament to honor them. You could even incorporate a photo of them into an homemade ornament. As you hang it on the tree, invite your loved ones to gather around the tree to celebrate their life.
Story time. Brew some tea or make some hot cocoa and find a cozy spot to gather and tell your favorite stories from when they were alive. Take turns telling funny stories that make you laugh until you cry a little.
Watch and listen. Dust off their old copy of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and pop it in the DVD player, or put on that old “Christmas Songs by Sinatra” record.
Be thankful. Spend time with family and friends, and be grateful for their love.

However you choose to honor your lost loved ones, remember that you are not alone. There are others who are experiencing that same feeling. Whether it’s another family member, a friend, or even a coworker. Reach out to them. Show up for them. Find comfort together.

Brought to you by M. Sophie Franchi. Sophie is a mother and a writer. She is also Managing Editor at The Devil Strip, a free alt-monthly arts and culture print magazine published in Akron, Ohio.

The Holidays. And all the emotions.

December 4 By American Greetings

Our friend, Melissa Radke, is back, just in time for the holidays! This time of year can be emotional to say the least. We are excited to share a bit of how Melissa kicked off the season, in this heartfelt and honest guest blog. Enjoy!

Melissa Radke Guest Blog

As I write these words I am sitting on my couch, the Christmas tree on twinkle, next to my eleven-year-old daughter who has squeezed in as close to me as humanly possible and lightly snores. We will move her to her bed in a few minutes, but for this moment she is here with me. Just like she has been every second of every minute of every hour of every day of this recent holiday break.

Mama, needs some space. Don’t get me wrong, I adore her. But we are invading new territory right now with all her emotions and all her feelings…of which there are sooooo very many.

On Monday, she cried because she “felt dead inside and was growing up entirely too fast.”
On Tuesday, she screamed because her brother “accidentally” burnt down her Minecraft house.
Wednesday, she slept till noon.
Thursday, she was awake by 6am.
And Friday, she prayed that time would stand still so she could figure out which boy she liked.

I know how she feels…and I’m nowhere near 11.

I have cried at the thought that my baby is growing up.
I got emotional because the Spinach Salad I made on Thanksgiving was soggy and tasteless.
I openly wept at three different Christmas movies.
I raged when the new sweater I bought a few months back for our family Christmas pictures will now not even go over my head!
And I tossed a perfectly good Christmas tree in the trash because the lights. It’s always because of the lights!!

Melissa Radke

And now, as I look at this baby of mine, this sudden tween, lying in her Santa footy pajamas beside me, I cannot help but think to myself of all the things I want to tell her, all the things she might need to know someday. I want to whisper them, quietly of course, as to not alarm her…but I need her to always have these words. To look back at them a few years from now. So, I go to my stack of cards that I buy throughout the year and find the perfect one. I open it up and here is what I write:

Oh, Remi. It doesn’t get much easier, my love. I mean, Minecraft houses won’t continue to be a problem and chances are you will eventually figure out which boy you like, but the emotions – the tears, the laughter and the love – will only continue. It will continue until you are my age and then beyond.

You will be emotional on a Valentines that you spend alone.
And you will laugh hysterically with your girlfriends in your first college dorm.
You will miss your brother someday, even though right now that seems impossible.
And you will want to crawl up in my bed, right by me, after your first broken heart.
You will squeal with excitement when a ring is slipped on your finger and when you find out the child you’ve been hoping and praying for is on its way.

But you will shake with fear when the news is difficult and the doctor’s reports are bleak.
Don’t even get me started on adult friendships and how freaking hard they are! Sometimes you’ll be good at them and sometimes you’ll get hurt…sometimes you’ll need to forgive and other times you’ll need to hope they can forgive you.

There will be days you laugh until you cry; moments you experience profound joy, times you wish would last forever, memories you will treasure for a lifetime. There will be other times you hope to forget; pain you will find hard to erase, grief you will almost not be able to bear.

And it is that way for all of us, Remi, not just you. You are not alone in your joy and your pain, in your loss and your memories! Every person who has ever lived and loved and lost and learned has been subject to these things. They are the things that grow us, teach us, make us, heal us. And so tonight – my Scooby-Doo loving, Shawn Mendes listening, Fuller House watching, bubble bath taking, French fry eating, smoothie drinking, tweenager – I want you to know that everything you feel is real and wonderful and totally acceptable. So, feel it all! I’ll be right here with the tissues and the cookie dough, waiting on you, right by this twinkling tree…forever.

Love,

Mom

Melissa Radke

I close the card, seal it up and slide it under her pillow. Her daddy carries her to her bed and tucks her in and I go to sleep knowing she will find it tomorrow, or tomorrow night, or when she changes her sheets in seven months. It doesn’t matter when she reads it – it only matters that she reads it.

I’m not sure anyone ever left a card like that for you. I’m not sure anyone ever took your face in their hands and dried your tears. I don’t know if anyone let your hormones rage or your fears come crashing in. I don’t know if anyone sat on the couch with you and just let you, be you. So, if they didn’t…allow me.

Oh, friend. This holiday season, give yourself permission in a way that you haven’t in a really long time.
Give yourself permission to eat the fudge.
Give yourself permission to take the personal day.
Allow yourself to go to bed at 8 and sleep in till 10.
Eat cake for dinner and have a burger for breakfast.
Workout like a fiend or Netflix binge for nine hours.
Take a hot shower and curl up in the floor and cry – because no one can hear you cry in the shower.
Have a game night. Or say no to every single party you’re invited to.
Give yourself permission to feel mad and empty and angry and scorned.
Give yourself the freedom to laugh, to give, to heal and to forgive.
Grant yourself acceptance for all the parts you like and all the parts you don’t and make New Year’s resolutions not to change yourself, but to learn to love yourself.

This Christmas, turn the twinkling lights on, slip on your footy pajamas and fall asleep beside someone you love.

This Christmas, decide that you won’t be so busy that you can’t feel what needs to be felt, grieve what needs to be grieved, remember what needs to be remembered.

Melissa Radke

This season, feel it all. Go ahead! Because as bad as it might be you can always rest in the saving knowledge that your little brother did not set fire to your 3-d pixelated block home. And that’s a pretty big deal…when you’re 11.

Merry Christmas,

Melissa

Visit our Season of Joy page for more Christmas inspiration, including Christmas Messaging, Gift Guides, and Wrapping ideas!

How to Tie a Bow (for people who can’t tie bows!)

December 20 By American Greetings

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Don’t know how to tie a bow? No problem!

Creating a full and pretty bow to add to a gift can feel like a big challenge for the average person. But don’t worry! Here at American Greetings, we came up with an easy bow hack using a common household item that will have you looking like a bow-tying professional in no time!

You’ll need:

A wrapped present
Wire ribbon (about 10 ft.)
Curling ribbon
A paper towel roll
Scissors
Tape

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To start off, cut down the paper towel roll to about the length of your hand (for reference, that’s about 7-8”). Place your hand against the roll and cut just above your fingers. Discard the small end; you’ll use the larger section to make your bow. AG_FB_LINK_Bow_Tying_Tutorial_Cut_Roll

Starting about ¾ of the way down the power towel roll, gently wrap the wired ribbon around the paper towel until the ribbon runs out. Using the entire spool of ribbon will create a big, beautiful bow!

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Gently remove the paper towel and fold both sides of the ribbon toward each other long ways to find the middle. Then, cut a small slit on each side, about 1/3 of the way through each side of the ribbon.

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Now, take the curing ribbon and tie it tightly in a knot between the two slits.

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Then, tape the ends of the curling ribbon to your gift to attach the bow and cut off any excess curling ribbon. We’ve found it easier to secure your bow to your present before you begin to fluff it.

AG_FB_LINK_Bow_Tying_Tutorial_Tape-Ribbon Finally, spread out the loops of ribbon. Twist and pull up on each loop to create volume. Loops of ribbon often look good in 3’s, so pull three of them towards the middle. Play with it a little to get it the way you like.

AG_FB_LINK_Bow_Tying_Tutorial_Fluff_Bow You’ll find yourself with one strip of excess ribbon. If you’re using single-sided, it may even be upside-down. Twist it over and then finish it by cutting a “V” in it so that it looks finished.

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There you have it – a pretty bow that will have people thinking, “That’s so crafty!”

Still need some extra help? Watch our full video tutorial below:

From all of us at American Greetings, happy holidays and happy wrapping!

How to Make a Delicious Christmas Wassail Recipe in 5 Easy Steps

December 9 By American Greetings

You may have sung this holiday carol since childhood and, to this day, still have no idea what wassail, or wassailing is. Coming from the Anglo-Saxon waes hael , the word literally means ‘be you healthy’ or ‘good health’ and was first used as a simple greeting before being turned into a traditional drinking beverage. (Which is why, “To your health!” is often said when drinking with others.) This hot, mulled cider became the focal point of “wassailing,” which started as a Medieval drinking ritual as an honor to the trees, intended to ensure a good cider apple harvest the following year. The tradition later changed from going orchard to orchard, to going door to door with a large, ornate bowl asking for it to be filled, which became the custom of wassailing – or the habit of visiting neighbors, singing carols, and sharing drink — much like our customs today of caroling and Mumming. Plus, enjoy a delicious Christmas Wassail Recipe below.

The phrase Waes hael caught on as a common toast due to the piece of toast or crisp breads that were traditionally floated on top of the wassail, which is where our phrase, “Let’s have a toast,” or “I’ll toast to that!” comes from. Traditionally made of mulled ale, curdled cream, eggs, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and sugar with pieces of toast and roasted apples floating in it, wassail was also sometimes called ‘Lamb’s Wool’ because the pulp from the roasted apples made it look frothy, resembling soft wool. The legendary drink was served on the Feast of the Three Kings, or Twelfth Night, which marks the three wise men’s visit to baby Jesus, but the wealthy drank Wassail on all the 12 days of Christmas.

If you haven’t made wassail before – time for a new tradition! Plus, your house will transform into a cozy Christmas cottage the minute this sweet pot of joy-joy starts simmering. There are many variations of wassail but most all of them contain several basic ingredients, and you can make it with hard cider and brandy or forgo the alcohol altogether to make it kid-friendly like the delicious wassail we’re sharing here. We promise that it will wrap you in warm yuletide cheer the entire season.

Step 1: Pour apple cider into your pot, then add the orange juice, and lemon juice and gently stir together until well blended.

Step 2: Add the hibiscus tea bags, cinnamon sticks, cloves, nutmeg, and star anise.

Step 3: Slice the ginger and add in with the juniper berries.

Step 4: Lastly, make round slices with your apple and orange and add them to your pot.
Tip: if you’d like, you can stud your orange slices with cloves on the edge of the peel or on the top for a festive look.

Step 5: Set the slow cooker to high heat and cook for 3-4 hours, until the color has darkened and the fruit is soft. If using a pot on the stove, allow to simmer all day, then remove the tea bags and serve hot.

We hope you’ll enjoy the warmth and comfort of this traditional drink all throughout the season. May you drink it in ‘good health’ with your family and friends. “To your health!”

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What is Figgy Pudding? (Figgy Pudding Recipe Card)

December 7 By American Greetings

Have you ever stopped to wonder, “Wait, what exactly is figgy pudding?!” We’re here to explain, and we have a yummy Figgy Pudding Recipe for you!

Dating back to at least the 16^th century, figgy pudding (a dense, moist, cakelike dessert also called “plum pudding” or “Christmas pudding”) was part of an old English tradition where the wealthy would hand it out as a treat to carolers on Christmas Eve to brave the chilly night.

In time, figgy pudding became part of another popular British tradition, too, called “Stir-Up Sunday,” which took place on the Sunday before Advent each year. Entire families would get together to make their Christmas pudding, with each member taking turns stirring the mixture and wishing for good luck.

Some fun facts:

The original recipe contained 13 ingredients to represent Jesus and his 12 disciples.
Stirring was done from East to West to remember the Wise Men who visited Jesus after his birth.
Coins were traditionally added to the batter to bring luck to anyone who found them in their “pud.” (We wouldn’t suggest doing that today!)
The garnish of holly represented Jesus’s crown of thorns.

Today, the figgy pudding recipe is more like something akin to fruitcake—certainly more cake-ish than pudding-ish—that’s been steamed and served flambé. It’s an extra-special holiday treat that’s as delicious as it is unique.

Now that you know what it is, it’s the perfect time to make one for the holiday season! Click here to print your free recipe card. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

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How to Roast Chestnuts in 5 Easy Steps

December 5 By American Greetings

They’re tender. Sweet. Aromatic. Buttery. And simply delicious. So if visions of roasted chestnuts (rather than sugar plums) are dancing in your head, it’s time to learn how to roast chestnuts at home!

But…you probably don’t want to do it over an open fire (unless you really insist). Rather, in an oven. In your home. Whenever you feel like it. It’s not complicated. Or hard. Or overly time consuming either. But it’s sure worth it…down to the very last delectable bite! So without further ado, here are 5 easy steps to learn how to roast your very own chestnuts (in season from late September through late December):

Step 1: Choose the best chestnuts you can find. They should be heavy for their size with smooth, shiny, and unblemished skin. Avoid nuts that rattle or have mold on their surface (both mean they’re old). Tip: Store fresh chestnuts in your fridge for up to 1 month or in your freezer for up to 4 months. Bring to room temperature before roasting. Once roasted, they should be eaten within 4 days.

Step 2: Grasp each chestnut firmly and carefully cut a long slit across the rounded top with a sharp serrated bread knife. Be sure to cut just through the shell and into the flesh. Alternatively, you can use a sharp, pointy paring knife to cut an X on the flat side of each chestnut. Again, make sure it goes through the shell. Tip: Both methods allow the steam to escape while cooking and make peeling a lot easier.

Step 3: Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place chestnuts in a baking pan or rimmed baking sheet (or on a heavy baking sheet) slit-side up. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the cuts you’ve made burst open and the visible flesh is golden brown. Tip: Occasionally shake the pan while baking to avoid burning the chestnuts.

Step 4: Remove from oven and as soon as you can handle them with a bare or gloved hand, start peeling. Remove and discard each shell and inner paper skin. Tip: Don’t wait too long until they’ve cooled because they will be much more difficult to peel then.

Step 5: Serve warm…or let cool for use as an ingredient in a favorite recipe. Either way, enjoy!

Love it? Share it! Pin these instructions for later:

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Time to Elf! (Free Printable)

December 2 By American Greetings

December is here, lights are going up, presents are getting wrapped, and the Christmas countdown has officially begun. As holiday spirits continues to rise, why not share the fun with your friends, neighbors, and co-workers?!? We’re talking about Elfing!

Not sure how to play? Here’s a simple breakdown:

You can start the game anytime before Christmas by leaving an Elfed surprise for neighbors or co-workers. Begin the game by secretly leaving a bag of treats and other small surprises, together with an Elf sign and Elf poem explaining how to play the game.

If you’re leaving your Elfed bag for a neighbor, ring their doorbell and run! When they open the door, they’ll be greeted by a little holiday surprise left by their very own Christmas elf. In turn, each recipient is asked to post the sign to alert would-be Elves that they’ve already been visited, and to pass the game along to two more neighbors. The best part is seeing the joy spread throughout the entire neighborhood.

You can also Elf your way through the office by following the same instructions, just leave your surprise for a co-worker when they’re not around, and ask them to display their sign in a visible spot on their desk.

To get you started, simply select one of our FREE Elfed Printable Signs that makes the most sense for who you’re Elfing, and print out a few copies to include with your surprise.

Click here to print this version

What to write in a Christmas card

November 30 By American Greetings

These tips come to you from American Greetings Christmas Card Editor, Courtney Rabideau…

To me, Christmas is about moments. In one of my favorites from my childhood, I am seven, and my parents have just given me the Christmas present of my dreams – an oak bookcase. The picture of me holding my arms up in victory upon seeing it is still an object of much delight…and, admittedly, much teasing.

When I write Christmas cards, either as an American Greetings Christmas Card Editor, or on my own, I try to capture the emotions behind moments like that one – the joy following a gift well-given, the suspense and then surprise of a Christmas morning, the delight that comes from family and fellowship and things much more important than bookcases.
Though the messages we all hope to convey during the holiday season undoubtedly vary, here are some things I try to keep in mind when I consider what to write in a Christmas card for our consumers or the people I love:

It’s okay to be simple

I think the things people most want to hear are actually quite simple – I love you. I hope you have a great holiday. I’m grateful for you. Write a novella if you feel compelled, but don’t fret if you’re staring at a blank card and all that is coming to mind is a sentence or two. Find the core of what you want to say, and even if you don’t say much else, say that.

Remember the sender

We send cards, or at least I do, to make an emotional connection. Though holiday well-wishes certainly have their place in our programs, remember the sender. You are sending the card for them, so tailor your message to specifically relate to that person whenever possible.

No card is a bad card!

At the end of the day, the act of sitting down and writing a card for someone is a labor of love. Regardless of what you put inside, that shines through. Christmas cards are about spreading the cheer and excitement of the season, not about finding exactly the right words.

What messages do you hope to convey during the holiday season? I’d love to hear what you have to say!

-Courtney

Still need some help? Check out these warm, lovely Christmas card sayings, also from Courtney!

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Free Christmas Printable

December 23 By American Greetings

Need a last minute gift or display item? We’ve heard from a lot of our fans that they loved our chalkboard look for the holidays, so we decided to make it into a free printable that you can give or display! Enjoy!

To download this free printable, click here!

Vintage Christmas Cards

December 22 By American Greetings

We think it’s safely fair to say that no holiday makes us travel down memory lane more than Christmas. As we unpack old ornaments and dig out those flour-caked recipe cards tucked in worn cookbooks, we are loving the fact that we have these tried-and-true gems of eras gone by.

The same is true of those Christmas cards we’ve all saved from year to year–hidden in boxes and drawers because they’re too special and too magical to ever part with. Here at American Greetings, we prize our old cards, too, and we merrily went in search of some vintage Christmas cards to display for you. You can almost smell the chestnuts roasting…

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Decoration Ideas

December 20 By American Greetings

…that are simple, cute and fun!

There are years when you have the time, energy, and resources to go all out and decorate for Christmas in the grandest of fashion… And there are years when time, energy, and/or resources might be in short supply–but that doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t want your home to look absolutely festive, bright, and merry!

That’s where we, your friends at American Greetings, come in. We’ve gathered some really creative Christmas decoration ideas that don’t require much time, material, OR money—but are still adorable. In other words, stress-free cuteness. Just pull together whatever you have around the house: some glue, a marker, extra Christmas ornaments and bows, a few candles, etc. Then start having fun. And quicker than you can say ‘Merry Christmas,’ you’ll have finished a lovely holiday decoration for your home. In fact, share the fun by having your grandkids help you, too. It’s a wonderful way to bond!

So if you want to keep your DIY Christmas decorating simple, sweet, and low-cost, these easy-to-do ideas are just for you. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Holiday Bow Wreath by Mom Spark