Tracy Latona’s Post

Do your kids know how to buy gifts? "Gift-giving is a life skill and the holidays are the ideal time to teach your kids how to do it in a thoughtful and budget-friendly way." Learn how to teach your kids how to buy gifts - without spending too much with this great article from the Globe and Mail, made available for FREE through the NextGen Edition! 👉 https://lnkd.in/gz3ssFZp #Gifting #NextGenEdition #TheGlobeAndMail #Article #HolidayRead

Navigating challenges at Christmas can feel overwhelming, whether it's balancing family dynamics, managing stress, or dealing with loss. Remember, it's okay to set boundaries, prioritize self-care, and seek support when needed. Christmas doesn't have to be perfect to be meaningful. Focus on what brings you peace and joy, whether it's small moments of connection, reflection, or rest. Embrace the season with compassion for yourself and others. https://lnkd.in/dMEJNS9q

Today is National Make a Difference Day!   The holiday season is approaching. During this season, consider what giving and making an impact on those around you truly means and the choices afforded to you.   Take time to plan your holiday gifts to make a difference. Whether it's a thoughtful gesture or a meaningful gift, let's make this holiday season one to remember.   #MakeADifferenceDay #HolidayGifting #PositiveImpact #HolidaySeason #GiftGiving #PlaymakerCoaching 

'Tis the season. But gifting is not quite just the handing over of a gift from one person to another. Some thoughts. If interested, please sign up for a free (or paid) subscription to my substack newsletter. #giving #acceptance #spiritualgiving

During the holiday season, it is easy to fall into the habit of quantity over quality because we want our loved ones to feel overwhelmed by our affection and appreciation. With the 2024 Gift Guide, Rooted Sonshine is here to practice what we preach and also preach (a little louder) what we preach all year long ;) https://lnkd.in/g3TPHDNq

Does holiday spending have you clutching your wallet? 💳 Whether it’s saving up for gifts, secret Santa at school, or deciding between avocado toast and a savings account (looking at you, teens), ask yourself: Am I spending for joy or out of pressure? Generosity comes in all shapes and sizes—sometimes the best gifts are the ones that don’t come with a receipt. Let’s figure out how to keep holiday spending joyful—not stressful. 📞 904-853-5478 | 🌐 www.jaxbchcounseling.com #BelieveChangeHope #HealingULovingU #JaxBchCounseling #HolidayBudgeting #StressFreeGifting #MentalHealthMatters

You only get 80 Christmases (if you're lucky and avoid skydiving reptiles!) - make them count. Ok so maybe you 85-90 Christmases in your lifetime - if you stay healthy and manage to avoid having a tortoise dropped on your head by a passing eagle. (Caused the untimely death of Greek playwright Aeschylus in 458 BC!) Christmas can be a difficult time. Even Waitrose’s best festive ad does nothing to reduce the very real pressure of navigating divorce, redundancy, sick relatives or debt. You can’t control external factors but here's the good news - you can choose to Re-Story Your Christmas. My first 25 Christmases were pretty grim. As a kid, I spent several alone, hiding in fear or going hungry. As a teen, I navigated Christmas on the streets. As a student with no family to return home to in the holidays, I cleaned pubs, danced in nightclubs and juggled in the streets to survive until my next student loan kicked in. As an adult I set about re-storying painful Christmas memories so that the anger and hurt I felt didn’t become the driver for my Christmasses going forward. I landed on a new Christmas story to use as a mantra: "If you need help, make a request. If you don't need help, help someone else." This new story helped me to: 1. Stop suffering in silence (driven by another old story that I deserved misery because I wasn't good enough) 2. Avoid getting sucked into the 'buy-buy-buy-ness' of Christmas once I had my own kids - it was sooo tempting to overcompensate for my own childhood of scarcity Over the years, we’ve used our new story to create new memories. We’ve had an open house for anyone spending Christmas alone Joined in the school shoebox scheme This year we're doing this reverse advent calendar - a collaboration between Martin Lewis and The Trussell Trust. It takes all the thinking out of giving by providing you with a list of essential items Food Banks need over December. If this season brings up painful memories for you, make this the year you Re-Story your Christmas. Share your ideas for a small act of Christmas kindness and connection in the comments.

What Will You Give Them This Season? The Christmas season and New Year are more than celebrations—they are opportunities to reflect on our blessings, renew our purpose, and extend a helping hand to those in need. It’s a time to share not just material gifts but also hope, kindness, and opportunity with those who might never experience the privilege of abundance we often take for granted. You may have achieved the success and good life you enjoy today through hard work—defining your purpose, crafting plans, building your brand, and nurturing relationships. So, of course, you deserve the rewards of your labor. Yet, what about the air you breathe, the sun that warms your days, and the life you live—things you didn’t earn? Giving back is how we acknowledge and honour these blessings we freely receive from life and nature. "The lizard that jumps from a high tree does(should) not forget to thank the ground." We also owe a debt to society, which has given us platforms to succeed. Millions lack such opportunities: children going to bed hungry, widows oppressed, the poor who cannot access healthcare, and those born into cycles of poverty, violence, or neglect. For many, misfortune was thrust upon them—war, disasters, famine, disease, and oppression. Can they rise above these circumstances? Yes, but only if we step in to hold the ladder, lend a hand, and share what we can. Giving back doesn’t always mean money—it could be your time, mentorship, or influence. Every small act can create ripple effects that change lives forever. "Even a small stream can quench great thirst." This season, let us not only celebrate but also create opportunities for others to thrive. What will you give them this season? "He who gives to others waters his own roots." I sincerely wish you a season that ushers you into seasons of adding value and making impact in your world.

I got a great reminder from Valorie Burton, MAPP, MCC and thought it would be great to share. With Christmas fast approaching, many people are feeling stressed by the expectations, shopping, and obligations that come with the holiday season. While it’s important to give of yourself, it’s equally important to engage in some extra “self-care” during the holiday season. A variety of issues cause stress during the holidays, including overspending, social obligations (parties, decorating, cooking, hosting), gift buying, travel, and family. Depression is the source of stress for many, particularly those who are alone during the holidays, and those dealing with the death or illness of a loved one, or a recent divorce or separation from family and friends. Here are a few strategies for dealing with stress this holiday season: 1. DECIDE WHAT WORKS FOR YOU Decide what is most important to you this holiday season. Then center your holiday around it. Just because your friends’ idea of Christmas is elaborate gift giving and 10 parties in three weeks, doesn’t mean you have to do the same. Do what works for you. 2. PLAN A BUDGET If you haven’t finished shopping, take time to plan your gift budget and stick to it. Don’t feel pressured to spend money you don’t have. If you do, you’ll have a bad financial hangover in January. It’s OK to tell people you are cutting back this year … they may even be relieved to hear you say it because it will take the pressure off of them, too! 3. REMEMBER THE “REASON FOR THE SEASON” Remember that Christmas is a religious holiday by not allowing commercial expectations to take over. Since Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ, take time to incorporate a spiritual tradition into your holiday celebrations such as Christmas Eve or Christmas day church service. Some of my favorite childhood holiday memories are going to church at midnight on Christmas Eve and searching the sky for Santa and his reindeer during the ride home.

Tuesday Thoughts: Christmas is near, but have you thought about where your gifts will end up in the coming days? In our society, we often focus on giving many gifts—sometimes gifts that don't even meet basic safety norms (because we want to buy many). But that’s not the main issue. Nearly 10% of the world’s population lives in poverty, and many people are struggling to survive due to circumstances they never chose, like war or economic hardship. While you’re giving to those who already have plenty, don’t forget to extend your generosity to those who have nothing. There are numerous initiatives that support the poor or people living in war-torn regions. Even if they’re not part of your invitee list tonight or in the coming days, take a moment to think of them. Do even more—spend money on these good causes. You can be sure that what you give won’t end up on a pile of other toys or in a drawer full of useless gifts that bring only limited joy. It’s never too late to share on a wider scale and feel good about making a difference. One in four people worldwide already do, so you’ll be in good company. And once you start giving, consider not stopping after just one time. Try to make it a habit. In my country, it’s even financially beneficial due to tax deductions, but more importantly, if you are fortunate, why not let others share in your good fortune? Helping others will make you feel much better. With that said, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful end to the year. Enjoy the celebrations, and let’s hope even more people can join in the joy come 2025. #goodcauses #celebrations #gifts