By: Dr. Tanvi Maharaja As the year comes to an end, the spirit of Christmas envelopes me like one of those foggy, shimmery winter mornings. I remain utterly enchanted and enthralled by the beauty of this season, and this festival in particular. Even in my forties, I cannot help but gaze wide-eyed as a child … More The Beauty of Giving
By: Martianne Stanger “Come! Come!” called the excited cries of a child, beckoning us to the window where feathered friends had finally found and started to use the Wild Birds of Joy window birdfeeder that one of my children got for Christmas. Thereupon, so many giggles and grins ensued as we witnessed what we imagined … More What a Wonder at the Window: Santa’s Gift to the Nature Lover
By: Sandy Churchill “When you read a book as a child, it becomes a part of your identity in a way that no other reading in your whole life does.”–Kathleen Kelly, You’ve Got Mail At our house, it is nearly impossible to be objective and unbiased when it comes to reading. We are all hooked, pure and simple. There are bookcases, literally … More Gifts of Reading Help You Grow
By: Heather O’Neill Last month I wrote about how we shared the magic of Santa with my oldest son who was 10 at the time. When he 9, in the 4th grade, there seemed to be lots and lots of questions and I had the sense that this was going to be the last year … More Santa Scavenger Hunt
By: Sandy Churchill ‘Tis the season for gift-giving, shopping for the perfect presents, wrapping in a frenzy, and celebrating faith, family, and friends. At our house, there are always the “easy” folks to buy for, those who have myriad interests and a grateful spirit, so gift-giving is truly a pleasure. Then there are the “difficult” … More Gifts of Experience Make Memories
By: Deirdre Littlefield Since adopting our last child, collecting donations for children living in foster care has become a passion of mine. There are so many children of all ages in need and I have found even more people who want to give to them. Together, we have found a way to connect the two. … More Giving is Receiving
By: Sandy Churchill This year’s Thanksgiving has turned the page, Christmas songs are on the radio, and stores are bedecked in their finest of crimson, silver, and gold. Many of us are in the throes of Christmas shopping and searching for gifts for loved ones near and far, be it online shopping or frenzied treks … More The One Gift Everyone Should Give This Christmas
By: Lauren Tankle We are in the home stretch of the Christmas season with one weekend left to get everything together. I was putting together some of the presents I’ll need for Christmas this week in an attempt to be less of a procrastinator than usual andavoid shopping this weekend. It’s only taken me … More Last Minute Gift Ideas
By: Lauren Tankle You really don’t know a person until you have played a Yankee Swap game with them. This game makes you realize that people you grew up with your whole life are unapologetically capable of plotting your demise and will do everything and anything to take you down all because you really … More Yankee Swap
By: Lauren Tankle I volunteered this holiday season to organize and help distribute Christmas gifts to families in need. I was overwhelmed with the appreciation and relief I could see in the recipients when they chose the gifts for their children to open on Christmas morning. It made me so overjoyed to know that … More I Wish I Could Say I Did It On My Own
Community Voices for Health 