Meijer Good School Awards
This year Meijer awarded over $90,000 to three great schools in Grand Rapids.
December, 2010
Caring for Kids at Orchard View
The secretaries at Orchard View Elementary in Forest Hills are caring for a special group of students on a daily basis.
Gifts & Abundance
I’ve had a lot of conversations with people lately about Christmas gifts—how they choose which presents to give, how many presents they give their children, how much they spend (budgeted or not) on Christmas. What is usually associated with these conversations is fatigue and frustration. The themes of stress and feeling overspent—both emotionally and financially—are frequent.
I wonder if it has to be this way—if giving needs to get “bigger and better” every year. I know that the media definitely props up this idea and advertisers grip on pretty tightly to it as well. But, does that mean we have to?
My children attended my neighbor’s 3rd birthday party today. It was a princess themed party, so there were lots of tiaras and gowns, purples and pinks. At the gift opening, it was clear to see which gift most enamored my neighbor girl —a card that played music. She laughed and laughed each time she opened it with the other little ones gathered around her watching, while the fancy princess gifts sat on a table nearby, not getting much attention. It was amusing, but also thought provoking. Children, especially when very young, can teach us a lot about finding joy in the simple things.
What are we teaching our children when it comes to gifts—both giving and receiving? Are they getting the message that bigger is better, that more and more brings happiness, is “enough” part of their vocabulary? If they don’t learn this from parents and important adults in their lives, I think it will be difficult for them learn it elsewhere.
Helpful resources for creative and intentional giving at Christmas include:
Eco Friendly, Budget Friendly Giving
Unplug the Christmas Machine: A Complete Guide to Putting Love and Joy Back into the Season
For more information on behavioral health issues, or to seek assistance, go to www.pinerest.org
Christmas Suprises from the North Pole
At our house, Sophia has been counting down the days until Christmas. Over the past few weeks we’ve hung the garland and lights outside, got the tree decorated and are in full Christmas mode.
One of the things that I did this year was purchase an “Elf on a Shelf.” If you haven’t heard of this before it is something I totally recommend! It was recommended to me by a couple of friends as a behavior modification tool and a fun tradition to start with your kids. You can find them at Barnes and Noble or at most Hallmark stores for about $25. The idea is that he’s sent from Santa and watches your kids each day. Then at night he flies back to the North Pole and reports back to Santa. Parents hide the elf in new places around the house each night and then in the morning, your child has to find where the elf landed upon returning. “Red” the elf came the day after Thanksgiving and has been a huge hit with Sophia. She hunts for “Red” each day, tells him what she wants for Christmas, and is convinced that he is reporting back to Santa every night at the North Pole.
This morning a friend of mine forwarded me a link on Facebook that is the perfect compliment to our Elf on a Shelf. It’s a way to send a personalized message from Santa to your kids. No lie, this took me less than five minutes to do and is adorable! I just wanted to share this because if you have young kids they will think this is so cool, plus, it keeps the magic of Santa alive!
I’d love to know what Christmas traditions you do with your kids? Or, any fun things that bring the holidays alive at your house? Have a Merry Christmas and let me know what you think of the Elf on a Shelf or Santa video if you decide to give it a try.
Whitecaps Holiday Art Contest
Now that snow is on the ground, I cannot help but think about the green grass in the summer. . .and baseball! In the winter I have more time to catch-up on reading, and sometimes I go through old mail. Sometimes kids draw pictures about the ballpark and they send them to me. They are awesome!
I love looking at the different pictures. Sometimes they draw me, the field, the players, or baseballs and bats. While I was looking at them, I started to get an idea. I love baseball, I love the holidays, I love food, I love reading, I love fans, I love fans’ artwork. . .so how could I put together all of these things?
With the help of the front office staff, we decided to create the Whitecaps Holiday Art Contest. Students enter as a classroom and they have to create a piece of art about the Whitecaps and the spirit of the holidays. Good thing the staff is helping judge the artwork, because I don’t think I could choose a winner!
Anyway, the winning classroom will have a visit from me. We will read “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and I will bring popcorn for the class to eat while we read. You can go here to see how you can enter.
Happy holidays!
Taste of the Holidays
Is anybody looking for a little help around the kitchen during this busy holiday season?
Whether you have family visiting or are entertaining friends we sometimes need a little inspiration and some new ideas. Well just in nick of time, Meijer will be hosting a Taste of the Holidays event at all stores. You will find many products to sample and can take home recipe ideas that range from appetizers to desserts.
Stop in Saturday, December 11th from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. or Sunday, December 12th from Noon to 5 p.m. and pick up your Taste of Meijer booklet full of holiday food solutions to make your celebrations a little easier.
Here is one of my favorite recipes from the booklet. Prepare is as an easy and delicious appetizer:
Caramel Apple Baked Brie
Serves 8
2 (8-ounce) whole Brie cheese with rind left on
1 tbsp. Meijer butter
1/2 cup chopped and peeled gala or granny smith apple
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 Tbsp. chopped pecans
2 Tbsp. brandy or Meijer apple juice
1/4 cup Meijer packed brown sugar
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a saucepan, heat the butter, apples, cranberries, pecans, brandy or apple juice and sugar in a small saucepan until thick and bubbly, approximately 3 minutes.
- Cut both of the Brie in half and place bottom halves in a ungreased 9-inch pie plate. Spoon half of the topping over the cheese. Place other halves of Brie on top. Secure with toothpicks and pour remaining sauce on top. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes and serve with Meijer Wheat Entertainment crackers or toasted whole grain baguettes.
Enjoy!
Blogs
Maranda's Blog
Keep in step with Maranda as she explores issues affecting your family.
Maranda's Go-To Gal
Insights from the mom who helps Maranda get it all done.
Whitecaps Blog
Whitecaps mascot Crash takes you inside the ballpark.
Cruiser's Blog
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