INDIANAPOLIS — (WISH) The holidays are HERE at the City of Carmel! They are launching Holiday at Carter Green on Saturday, Nov. 20. The event will feature music for the season, tree lighting, Santa with his live reindeer and the grand opening of the Christkindlmarkt and The Ice at Carter Green.
Dan McFeely from the Economic Development & Community Relations at City of Carmel and Santa Claus joined us today on Indy Style to let us know more! McFeely told us this event has been going on for about 20 years. Santa will be arriving around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, and it is also the opening day of the Christkindlmarkt!
This event is fun for the entire family. Kids can look forward to meeting the big man himself, petting his reindeer, and Allied Solutions goodie bags. The tree lighting will happen at 5:30 p.m.
You can find more information about events in the City of Carmel here.
THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY CITY OF CARMEL.
Now that they holidays are over, it is sad to see the decorations be put away. Sometimes it can be difficult to find closet space to do so. Sherri French, lifestyle and parenting expert, shows us how we can pack smarter and utilize or space.
Wrapping paper
There is no need to but a ‘special’ wrapping paper holder. Find a plastic garment bag and place all of your wrapping paper inside and together. Add a hanger to store in your closet .
Lights
Don’t just place your lights in a heap into a plastic storage bin. Cut a piece of cardboard box and wrap your lights around it to keep them tangle free.
Beaded Garland
Use an empty water bottle and place any beaded garlands you have right into the bottle for easy storage.
Ribbon
Find a pant hanger and add any holiday ribbon you have right onto the hanger for storage.
Ornaments
A quick and easy way to store your ornaments is to use a plastic bin, cardboard, Solo cups and some glue. Cut carboard to fit your plastic bin, glue the solo cups onto the cardboard, place your ornaments into the cups and store. You can create a second level depending on how large your storage bin is.
To find all of these ‘hints’ head over to Sherri’s Instagram, @momhint and website.
This year, more so than ever, we’re craving happiness for the holidays, and while our holidays may not look like they have in years past, that doesn’t mean they have to be less enjoyable or meaningful. 2020 could be one of the happiest holiday seasons yet. With a little creativity and a lot of heart, you can take the best parts of this season and create happiness for yourself and others.
Alex Perry from Practically Speaking shares five ways, giving creates happiness for all.
1. Giving makes us feel happy
You know the feeling of doing something wonderful and unexpected for someone. It feels fantastic! That’s why we love Christmas so much. Research from Harvard Business School professor Michael Norton shows that students felt happier when they gave money vs. keeping money for themselves, even though they predicted they’d feel happier with the money. Giving creates an instant boost of happiness! And you don’t have to give money to experience the benefit-you can give time, skills, help, appreciation, or advice and feel the same effect.
2. Giving promotes social connection
When we give, it prompts others to do the same. It’s called the reciprocity rule, we tend to pay back what’s been given to us by others. This creates a feeling of being socially connected, which makes us feel happy. You can create this feeling in lots of safe ways this year, like paying it forward by buying the coffee for the person in line behind you, starting a card exchange in your neighborhood, or sending notes of appreciation to the staff at your children’s school.
3. Giving is good for our health
The healthier we are, the happier we are! Research suggests that giving increases our health by reducing our stress, contributing to many major health problems. Staying healthy in 2020 is a top priority, so finding ways to give of yourself while still maintaining social distancing is key. Sending a meal to someone who is shut-in, donating to a local charity, or providing assistance to a local animal shelter is a great way to give and stay safe.
4. Giving boosts gratitude
Gratitude is one of the key ingredients for happiness. Barbara Fredrickson, a pioneering happiness researcher, suggests cultivating gratitude in everyday life is essential for increasing personal happiness. This year try keeping a gratitude journal or start a gratitude jar with your kids to boost your feelings of happiness.
5. Giving is contagious
Giving doesn’t just impact the recipient; it sends a ripple throughout our communities and our lives. When we watch others give, it inspires and encourages others to do the same. Giving is one thing we definitely can’t spread enough of this year and in 2021. Happiness for the holidays is within your reach; you just need to give a little to get started.
Connect with Alex at www.pswithalex.com.
As with most things in 2020, the upcoming holidays are sure to look a little different. In a time when keeping family members safe and healthy is a priority, how you communicate about your holiday plans may take a little extra thoughtfulness and clarity this year. Lisa Mitchell, Communications Expert & Founder of Power Body Language joined us today to help with that.
1. Start Your Planning Conversations Early
Even with long-standing family traditions, how you celebrate the holidays this year is going to require a little extra planning and the sooner you start communicating about your plans, your schedules, and even your concerns, the sooner you can start finding good solutions that can keep your family feeling connected and in the loop. Thanksgiving is a little over two weeks ahead, there’s no time like the present to start these conversations with your family.
2. Be Clear About What You’re Comfortable With This Year
Nobody wants to feel like they’re disappointing their family, but in this time where keeping family members safe and healthy is priority and a real concern, you need to be clear and firm on what you’re comfortable with in regards to gathering for celebrations. You also need to be willing to accept and adapt to what other family members are comfortable with as well, especially if they are being strict about limiting exposure and keeping their circle small this year.
3. Be Flexible And Get Creative!
Just because it might not look exactly like every holiday gathering of years passed doesn’t mean that this holiday season can’t still be meaningful and help you connect with your family in a fun way.
Maybe it’s enjoying Thanksgiving meals together over FaceTime or streaming in a Facebook Live room together while each family is at their own home. Maybe it’s agreeing to all watch the same favorite holiday movie at the same time and text or call each other at your favorite parts. Maybe it’s playing a game online together instead of being able to sit around a table to play together. Who knows, maybe you’ll discover a fun new holiday tradition to add by getting creative and putting extra effort in to new ways to stay connected, even if you have to be apart this year.
It’s not unusual for different family households to have different opinions and levels of comfort about gathering for holiday celebrations and it’s going to take a lot of patience, creativity and understanding on everyone’s part to make the holidays feel good to everyone.
For more from Mitchell, visit her website.