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You are here: Home / Archives for Holidays / New Year's

The Best New Year’s Resolution For 2018 [Or Ever]

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Resolve to Reconnect

January 2018 is in full effect, everyone. And you know what that means – everyone is talking about New Year’s resolutions. Lots and lots of “What are your new year goals?“ everywhere. Time to hit the reset button, take inventory, get healthier, time to get organized, right?

We challenge you to try thinking a little outside the box on the whole New Year resolution thing this year. We’ve got a new year’s resolution idea for you that’s truly meaningful – one that could bring you real happiness! And the payoff is even more instant for you than say, hitting the gym or giving up sweets.

Ask yourself — how important is it to you to stay connected with people who mean a lot to you? Can you think of 3 people who come to mind? Well, how about resolving to reconnect with them this year?

We all know life gets in the way, and sometimes it’s just so ridiculously hard to stay connected– because, well… things! And that’s totally okay, because the good news is, it’s never too late! So take the pledge in 2018 – to reconnect with old friends, reconnect with family, your college roommate, a mentor, teacher, or call up an acquaintance you last saw right before a major milestone may have shifted your focus – and get on the path to happiness and well being by improving your relationships!

Don’t worry, we get it. Starting is always the hardest part. But we’ve already thought of that, and now you don’t have to go it alone. We’ve created a place you can visit stocked with ideas that’ll help you get over the most daunting part – resolving to reconnect with people you care about, then taking the first step to do it.

The best way to keep your resolution is to hold yourself accountable. So – go on! Kick off your connecting, with this inspiring free printable pledge that you can hang wherever you’d like, to hold yourself to the promise you made and keep those who have made an impact in your life top of mind in 2018!

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Happy January! (Free Digital Download)

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The holidays are behind us and the novelty of our New Year’s resolutions is starting to fade.  Instead of getting back into our usual routines, we need to remember that the changing of the calendar from one year to the next should inspire us to take on new challenges and seek new beginnings.

To keep your New Year going in the right direction, we thought we’d create a wallpaper to remind you of all the new opportunities and experiences that await you in 2017. You can download this free, beautiful background on your desktop and mobile device, and even set it as your Facebook cover photo.

We hope this background inspires you every time you look at your phone or computer screen! Happy 2017!

January New Years Quote Background

 

2560 x 1440 / 1680 x 1050 / 1440 x 900 / 1280 x 800 /

Mobile Background / Facebook Cover Photo

Click here for directions on how to change your backgrounds.

 

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Vintage New Years cards

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Vintage New Years Cards

A brand new year is upon us, and we’re all in the groove of, “New year, new you!”

We’re clearing the clutter, hitting the gym, and starting out fresh. But it’s hard to dive into a new year without reminiscing about the year’s past (“auld acquaintances,” and all).

We always wonder ‘where the year went’­­– ­­time moves pretty fast, right? Which is why we love looking back to revel in favorite memories and happy times, hoping for more of the same in the months ahead. With that, we offer up some vintage New Years cards we’ve pulled from our archives–letting these irreplaceable wishes and images send us off into 2016 with hope and possibility.

We’re not clearing out these babies anytime soon, however. Some things are just keepers.

 

1910s card

1910s card

1930s card

1940s card

Vintage New Years Cards - American Greetings Blog

1900's card

1920s card

1920s card

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Ways to give back

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AG_TW_Kruse_Quote_December

During the holiday season, charities across the US see a large increase in the number of volunteers.  As people get into the giving spirit during the holidays, they find great ways to give back, whether it’s donating their time or money to an organization. Unfortunately, after the holiday excitement has come and gone, charities and non-profits oftentimes find themselves still needing enough volunteers.

So if you’re still looking for a New Years resolution that doesn’t involve a daily commitment, but can provide a lasting impact, we’d like to suggest setting a goal for giving back this year.

Need some help getting started? Here are some great ways to get involved in your community:

  • The gift of time – find a non-profit that resonates with something you’re passionate about, whether it’s doing a craft with local nursing home residents, caring for animals at a pet shelter, or putting together packages for military members overseas. By selecting a cause that’s near and dear to your heart, you’re more likely to follow through and the time you spend there will be even more meaningful.
  • Power in numbers – if your skill set includes event planning and a large network of friends and family, consider serving as an fundraising organizer! Community bake sales, rummage sales, and spaghetti dinners not only bring people together, but they can bring in surprising amounts of money for important causes.
  • Get moving – If you enjoy running or walking, there are a number of opportunities to raise money for charity while enjoying the great outdoors. Check to see if your favorite non-profit hosts a run or search for runs here.
  • Just get giving – If you find yourself time-strapped, non-profit organizations are always looking for financial contributions. This allows them to allocate dollars to the places that are most needed, but may not get as much attention. Websites like Guidestar can help you select organizations that are well-known for their fiscal responsibility.

If you still find yourself struggling to find something that’s a good fit for you, check out Volunteermatch.org, a site dedicated to helping you find local charity and volunteer opportunities!

What are some other ways to give back throughout the year to show gratitude for all of the blessings in our lives?

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Free printable New Year’s game

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Are you an experienced New Year’s resolution-maker? We know we are!

Whether it’s an organizational, health, or personal commitment we’ve aspired to, there have been a lot of well-intentioned resolutions we’ve made over the years. Some we had the resolve to keep, but some… well? Let’s just say they ended up de-prioritized. (That feels better than “broken,” right?)

So this year we decided to have a little fun. We took some of the most popular New Year’s Resolutions and turned them into a free printable New Year’s game. Print extras and challenge some friends at your NYE get-together!

Free Printable New Year's Game

Enjoy and Happy New Year!

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How To Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

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New Year’s resolutions are made with the best of intentions, but as most of us know, that can-do attitude can falter early. Here are some helpful hints on how to stay focused when trying to keep these popular resolutions:

Spend More Quality Time with Family and Friends

Some simple ways to help you get a bit more “you” back into your relationships can include:

  • Be thoughtful – Remember special days like birthdays and anniversaries or just get better at “sayin’ hi” with an ecard, paper card or handwritten note. Try setting up a desktop calendar to help you remember these days and even preschedule your ecards up to a year in advance.
  • Tone trumps text – Yes, texting is easier and does serve its purpose, but hearing the tone of someone’s voice is always more personal. You may even want to set up a specific time and call it a “phone date”, so that you can talk and not be interrupted.
  • Make a date – Use an online reminder service to schedule a date with your friends once a month—a regular “girls night out” or “meet-up anywhere” strategy keeps bonds strong.

Lose Weight

Resolving to lose weight is an important, but difficult goal for many. Stay on track and motivated by incorporating these tips into your routine:

  • Set realistic goals – the key here is to start slow and make a plan.  You didn’t gain the unwanted weight in a day or a week, so don’t expect to lose it that quickly. Make a specific plan vs. just saying “I want to lose weight.” For example, you may want to lose 5 pounds by the end of January.
  • Say cheese – Take a photo of yourself in the beginning and then repeat every 4 weeks. That way it’s not all about the scale, but about how you actually look!
  • Keep a food journal – Writing down your eating habits allows you to see where there’s room for improvement and where you’re succeeding. It is your proof of effort.
  • Pantry overhaul – Post holidays is the perfect time to clean out the “junk food” hiding in your cupboards and fridge. Replace it with fresh veggies and fruits and ditch the soda for low-sugar fruit juices and water.

Get Fit

So, whether this resolution is in conjunction with losing weight or just about exercising more, here are a few more helpful hints:

  • Move! – Increasing your activity level will burn more calories and boost your energy. Consult your doctor or a trainer to determine the best routine for you.  A mix of stretching, cardio and strength training will deliver good results. And, remember if you can’t get to a gym, simple things like taking short walks or using the stairs more will help move your body towards your goal.
  • Set a goal – This is just like losing weight.  Don’t just say “I need to exercise more”, but set a goal like signing up to run a 5K race in the spring!
  •  Lean on your friends – If you have a buddy or neighbor with the same goals, use them as a support system. Having someone to exercise with will help keep you on track and honest in actually getting the physical work done.

It has been said that every accomplishment starts with the decision to try. What are your resolutions and how do you plan to accomplish them?

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A Happy & Healthy New Year!

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stay inspired through exercise - ride a bike!

So, we’ve all heard the New Year resolution to get into better shape, but what if we changed it up a bit and stop putting so much pressure on ourselves… This year, try a new kind of work out that you’ve never done before, and better yet, bring someone along! Try yoga with a friend, spinning with your hunny, Tai Chi with a neighbor – even spend some quality time with your pets and take the dog for a daily walk. Whatever it is, take a chance – maybe try something new and different every week – the possibilities are endless…

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