Toys are strewn all over the house, dirty dishes are stacked in the sink and the garbage can is filled to overflowing.  The boys are playing quietly upstairs with new toys and watching new movies. (Yes, even the “big” boy is playing with his new toys, too.)  Sigh.  It’s the day after Christmas. And my house could be declared a disaster area.

We all planned for the festivities of Christmas day, but did we plan for the days after?

I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that the day after Christmas is a letdown like no other.  Family is gone, presents are opened and I’m sitting here wondering what to do next.  However, instead of dwelling on disappointment of the ‘day after’, I’m gearing up to celebrate the gift of Christmas all year long  in 2012!

As with everything else in my life, I figure if I don’t plan it, it won’t happen!! (Obviously, I’m speaking from personal experience!)

So, just for you, my beloved readers, I have racked my brain and came up with the following ideas for keeping the spirit of Christmas alive in 2012:

1. Send notes of appreciation in the mail – I LOVE all the cards, pictures and sweet messages throughout the season that I send to and get from my friends and family…why not do it more often?  This is a great way to put a smile on someone else’s face amid the advertisements and bills they receive!
2. Pick up a sweet treat at the store or bake one for a neighbor or friend – I want my friends and neighbors to know how much I love and adore them!
3. Visit and/or sing at the nursing home – These dear people get most of their visitors during the holidays, but must be lonely during the rest of the year.  We can help change that!
4. Choose a mission to participate in throughout the year – Giving money is great, but giving of your time is very valuable.  For me it’s necessary for my boys to see me giving back to society so that they can have a good example for them in their adult lives. (Suggestions:  volunteer an hour a week to teach a child to read, teach a bible study at the local halfway house , serve food once a week at the local rescue mission, just to name a few).
5. Make a kindness chain – I’m going to continue the Kindness Countdown that Jake’s teacher started.  Each child will have a color and when they do a random act of kindness we will write it down and add a link to the chain.  I’m planning to hang the chain in their room so they will be reminded of how good it feels to bless others! Hopefully at the end of the year they will see how easy it is to be thoughtful to others!

I have had a wonderful Christmas and have been blessed abundantly!  I pray that I can bless others through the gifts that God has given me…and actually do it all year long.  I hope you can, too.

Some Wisdom for Today:  Proverbs 17:22 – A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.