As we move into the holiday season, it’s a wonderful time to reflect on the qualities that define our lives as followers of Christ. In Galatians 5:22-23, the Apostle Paul reminds us of the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These characteristics don’t just shape our personal faith—they are the qualities by which others see Christ in us. “They will know we follow Jesus by our fruit.” Matthew 7:16  

The holiday season is a joyful time filled with gatherings, treats, and festive cheer. But as the season winds down, it’s common to feel a bit of a slump. Instead of letting the end-of-holiday blues sneak up on you, try these proactive tips to maintain your wellness and set yourself up for a positive start to the new year. Here’s how to enjoy every bit of the holiday season while preparing to keep your spirits high into 2025. 

It’s that time of year when our thoughts turn to succulent turkey, cranberry dressing, and fluffy yeast rolls. When we need stretchy pants because we fully intend to eat two slices of pie and seconds -or thirds- of three kinds of potatoes. But in the midst of all the feasting, it’s easy to forget what this day is truly about—gratitude.

The holiday season brings family and friends together, making it the perfect time to reconnect—even with those hard-to-reach teenagers. Anyone who’s spent time with teens knows that keeping their attention can be a challenge. Between the constant pull of screens, plans with friends, and their unusual sleep schedule, it’s easy for them to drift away. It’s normal for teenagers to pull away a bit from family as they start to explore their own identities and independence. Developmentally, they’re focused on figuring out who they are and may feel more connected to their peers.

Involving children in gift-giving from an early age helps them develop empathy, generosity, and a love for spreading joy. If you’re looking for easy, homemade gift ideas, these treats are perfect for neighbors, teachers, hostess gifts, or just to keep on hand for when friends stop by. Get the kids scooping, measuring, and dipping to create beautiful, tasty gifts that are fun to make and share!

Did you know that National Cookie Day is celebrated every year on December 4th? This delicious day was created in 1987 by Matt Nader, founder of the Blue Chip Cookie Company, who wanted to honor the beloved cookie during the holiday season—a time when many of us indulge in sweet treats. Even the Cookie Monster from Sesame Street has been a big supporter of this tasty holiday!

Visiting a farmers market is more than just a shopping trip—it’s an experience that brings you closer to fresh, local food and your community. Farmers markets offer a wide variety of activities and benefits, making them the perfect family outing. From locally grown produce to handmade crafts, here’s what you might experience at a farmers market, along with the benefits of enjoying fresh, farm-to-table produce.

Fall is a season full of exciting activities—festivals, carnivals, and seasonal celebrations—but for children with sensory sensitivities or those impacted by trauma, these events can be overwhelming. The decorations, costumes, loud mechanical displays, and sudden noises or lights may create discomfort or fear. With thoughtful strategies, you can help your child enjoy the season while avoiding stressful situations. Here are our Top 7 Tips:

At the risk of sounding like a slowing down old geezer, I will admit that one of my favorite things to do this time of year is sit on the front porch with my wife and watch the sparrows, finches, doves, cowbirds, and various other warblers visit our feeders and poke around in the yard. It is an opportunity to leave the phones in the house and chat while listening to avian choirs. Spring and early Summer are just fantastic with the warmer/hot days and cool nights. This year has been really unusual with warmer afternoons followed by lightning shows, heavy rains and then cool air.

There’s no doubt that Christmas cheer can feel more like seasonal stress when you’re hustlin’ and bustlin’ throughout December. However before you settle on plans for you and family, consider these 4 easy tips below.