Welcome to the fourth installment of Christmas in July 2013. You can read about the purpose of Christmas in July here. Links to the previous posts in the series are located at the bottom of this post. Have you ever experienced frustration, embarrassment, or other unpleasant emotions because your family didn’t discuss or didn’t agree … [Read more...] about Christmas in July: Alternative Gift Exchange Ideas
holidays
Christmas in July: Gift Giving Guidelines
Welcome to the third installment of Christmas in July 2013. If you missed the first two posts in this series, including the explanation of the purpose of Christmas in July, you can see them here and here. Have you ever received an awful gift? Maybe a tube of anti-aging cream or a parenting book? How about a meat sampler (though it’s … [Read more...] about Christmas in July: Gift Giving Guidelines
Christmas in July: ‘Tis the Season for Serving Others
Welcome to the second installment of Christmas in July 2013. If you missed the initial installment, which included an explanation of the purpose of Christmas in July, you can see it here. As Christmas approaches and we start contemplating Christ’s birth, our hearts often become increasingly sensitive to the needs of others. … [Read more...] about Christmas in July: ‘Tis the Season for Serving Others
Christmas in July: Why Plan for Christmas Early?
Though it’s only July, I am indeed thinking about Christmas. This isn’t an attempt to contribute to “Christmas creep” (the phenomenon of retailers exploiting the commercialized status of Christmas by moving up the start of the shopping season); it’s an attempt to avoid a chaotic Christmas season so my family and I can maintain focus on the … [Read more...] about Christmas in July: Why Plan for Christmas Early?
Countering TV Commercials’ Portrayal of Dads as Incompetent
It’s common to see TV commercials portray dads as blundering and inept. The following commercials for Eggo Waffles and T-Mobile are examples. Though an uncritical perusal of these ads may provoke laughter, are they all in good fun or could they be harmful? Let’s consider this question in honor of Father’s Day. (Keep in mind, though, … [Read more...] about Countering TV Commercials’ Portrayal of Dads as Incompetent
Beyond Infrequent, Impersonal Expressions of Gratitude to Mom
As I’ve looked at Mother’s Day items in the stores this spring, I’ve been struck by how impersonal the holiday has become. I’m bewildered by the mass-produced, impersonal gift baskets that appear to me to communicate one of three things: The purchaser (1) didn’t know what to get mom, (2) didn’t shop in time to get something personal, or (3) … [Read more...] about Beyond Infrequent, Impersonal Expressions of Gratitude to Mom
Name That Egg
As I was looking up information on the nutritional benefits of eggs, I realized that eggs are pretty pervasive in American popular culture. Check out Name That Egg to see what I mean. Name the egg or eggspression that corresponds with each definition The egg laid by the goose that met an unfortunate end because of its foolish, … [Read more...] about Name That Egg
Recycling Christmas
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the amount of waste produced by Americans increases by 25% during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. (This is approximately 1 million extra tons of trash each year!) Personally, I think the best way to have an environmentally conscious holiday season is to plan ahead. Unfortunately, my … [Read more...] about Recycling Christmas