As I write this, we’re still two weeks from Thanksgiving here in the United States, but I've already seen Christmas lights going up around town. Seems early to me, but maybe it springs from a collective yearning for the joy and nostalgia of the holidays, and the warm comfort it brings. I suspect it’s a desperate attempt to encourage 2020 to leave already.Whatever the reason, one thing is certain: our holidays will look different this year. Thanks to the pandemic, some of the ways we’re used to doing things just aren’t possible this year. For many, that is a source of great sadness.But it might …
14 Fantastic Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas
One of the best parts of Christmas is opening up an unexpectedly awesome gift from a thoughtful giver. Even better is watching someone else open up the perfect gift you found for them. Unfortunately, the gift-giving part of the holidays often contributes a big part of the stress most people feel during the season. It’s not easy trying to find something nice for everyone on the list while fighting the bustling, crazy crowds and keeping the budget from ballooning like Santa on a post-Christmas cookie eating binge. A lot of families and work colleague save money by doing gift exchanges …
[Read more...] about 14 Fantastic Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas
How to Keep Adultitis from Ruining Your Holidays
"Santa Penguin" by Jason Kotecki. 12 x 12. Acrylic on canvas. Original is SOLD. Greeting cards available here. Well, we're here. Even though Christmas music has been playing in stores since Halloween, the passing of Thanksgiving officially puts us into the holiday season, ready or not. (How is it that companies can promote week-long Black "Friday" deals with a straight face?) I have a secret to share with you. Every bit of advice I give, or moral behind a story I tell, is mostly for me. They help keep me accountable and on track in my own fight against Adultitis. And as a professional …
[Read more...] about How to Keep Adultitis from Ruining Your Holidays
Mom Gives Adult Children Unusual Christmas Gifts
I met a fifty-something-year-old guy after my presentation at a conference in Minnesota earlier this year. He told me, "My mom believed that her kids should always get a toy from her for Christmas, no matter how..." I expected him to finish the sentence with, “...no matter how poor we were.” But he surprised me instead with, “...no matter how old we are.” To this day, along with other gifts, she still gets each of her adult children a toy for Christmas. I wish she would have been there, for I would have liked to give her a hug. It takes a wise woman to know that no matter how old …
[Read more...] about Mom Gives Adult Children Unusual Christmas Gifts
Thou Shalt Celebrate Christmas on December 25th
Chris Clarke-Epstein is an amazing writer and speaker, as well as a beloved friend, mentor, and "Ahma Chris" to our kids. She was also an integral part of our most recent Escape Adulthood Summit. A while back, she told us about a special penguin-themed family tradition, and we're thrilled she was willing to write this guest post. And since today is World Penguin Day, what better time to share it? All my growing up years, our family – the whole family gathered on Christmas Eve for Swedish food, amazing story telling, and glorious present opening. We wound down the festivities in time for …
[Read more...] about Thou Shalt Celebrate Christmas on December 25th
4 Fun Ways to Fight Adultitis and Make Memories this Christmas
This time of year is tailor-made for creating some amazing scenes with loved ones. Unfortunately, it’s also the most common time to let busyness drive us into “doing-what-we’ve-always-done” mode. Hello, Rutville. Here are four fun but simple tips to make sure Adultitis gets nothing but coal in its stocking this year. Minivan Express It’s kind of like Pajama Run meets The Polar Express, and you don’t even need a minivan to play. First, print up some golden tickets (templates here) and hide them under your kids’ pillows. While the normal bedtime routine is underway, prep some popcorn …
[Read more...] about 4 Fun Ways to Fight Adultitis and Make Memories this Christmas
The Perfect Gift is Not For Sale
What do you get for the person that has everything? What's an equally great gift for the person who has next to nothing? Easy. How about the gift of time? One Christmas, an acquaintance of ours gave her children a piece of paper emblazoned with the words, "The Gift of Time." Each kid got to pick an activity to do with just Mom and Dad. For example, one of the girls elected to go to a theatrical production of RENT. I guarantee those memories made will last longer than some gadget that could have been gifted instead, destined to be sold at a garage sale sometime down the line. Every …
Office Staff Uses Tiny Spoons and Ugly Wrap to Upend Traditional Luncheon
An organization I spoke to last year traditionally celebrates the holidays with a luncheon and gift exchange. Pretty typical stuff. The only problem is that Adultitis LOVES typical. Typical is only a hop, skip and a jump away from a rut, and as Ellen Glasgow says, “The only difference between a rut and a grave is their dimensions.” Fortunately, after hearing one of my programs on Curing Adultitis, Janet Mincks and her team decided to go in a different direction with their holiday party. It has been 4 months since you spoke to us at our All Staff Professional Development Day. What an …
[Read more...] about Office Staff Uses Tiny Spoons and Ugly Wrap to Upend Traditional Luncheon
Bill Murray and a Lesson On Slowing Down
I love this awesome video (via Don Miller) of Bill Murray with some fans. He agreed to slowly walk down a hallway with the guys so they could film it as though they were in one of his movies. It's pretty epic, and goes WAY beyond a simple autograph. https://player.vimeo.com/video/20089652 Here's Don's commentary: It just goes to show you how great life can be if you’re willing to slow down for people. Of course, none of us are Bill Murray, but slowing down for your spouse, your kids or your friends for just a minute to really give them something that will blow their minds is a magical …
[Read more...] about Bill Murray and a Lesson On Slowing Down
Ornaments, Advent Wreaths and Holy Guacamole
We put our Christmas tree up last weekend. The kids helped out, and by “helped out” I mean dropped hooks on the ground and placed multiple ornaments on a single branch about two feet from the ground. Trimming the tree is one of my favorite traditions in a holiday season filled with them. Most of the ornaments we own have a story behind them, whether it's a souvenir from our travels, or a gift from a grandma, or a memento from our early years of dating. It’s fun strolling down memory lane as each ornament goes up on the tree. Here are a few of our other holiday traditions: I make up …
[Read more...] about Ornaments, Advent Wreaths and Holy Guacamole