New Year's Drops – 6 Changes to Create a Better You

 

New Year's Drops to Add Vitality to Life

Many New Year's festivities bring crowds together to watch an object drop during the last seconds of the year, with shouts and cheers as the drop ends and another year begins. A new year is a great time to drop many things in one's own personal life as well.

Drop the Fear of Failure

Stepping out to do something new has its unexpected challenges and victories. Trying and failing often serves to make people more determined or to provide a new direction for the future. Many useful items commonly used today were failed attempts at creating something entirely different. Trying and succeeding also has its pitfalls if the success is too easy or compromises a person's character. Many of the strongest structures in the world only became recognized as such after being tested by the elements many times over. Who knows how many inventions were never created due to fear of failing...or how many life-changing designs are ready to be unveiled!

Celebrate a New You in the New Year – Photo by Steve Jurvetson on Wikimedia Commons

Drop Negative Thinking

Dr. Herbert Benson describes the nocebo effect quite well in his book entitled Timeless Healing. Although many people have heard of the placebo effect, the nocebo effect can have the opposite results that can be quite profound as negative thoughts can produce a multitude of negative physical and mental symptoms. Many people have negative thoughts that have chained them for years, and those thinking patterns may sour life around them. Learn new ways to look at life in a positive way. It doesn't have to be an unrealistic, head in the sand sort of view, but having hope can bring vitality back to one's life.

Drop Old Ways of Thinking for the New Year

Drop Bad Habits

Bad habits seem to develop so easily, but they can be broken with commitment and a plan. Recognize the habit and look at triggers. Develop specific strategies for change with plans to re-evaluate at regular intervals. Decide what to do if or when a slip occurs. Find an accountability partner and/or a support group. Seek professional help if necessary. Find healthy substitutes so that one bad habit is not used to replace another. Find folks who are willing to celebrate small victories with you in a healthy way as you seek to reach new heights above the bad habits.

How to Start the New Year – Photo by

Erik Söderström on Wikimedia Commons

Drop Time Wasters

Although many would like to have more hours in a day, 24 hours is the maximum that a person is granted. Look at one's priorities in life. The real ones. The ones that would matter if all else is gone. Look at a typical week's schedule and decide whether it is time well spent, time well invested, or time well...wasted. Being too busy with trivial activities can affect one's health and strain relationships, often leaving the person wishing for more time to devote to more important areas of life. Give yourself permission to say no and to repeat that word as often as necessary to maintain a healthy harmony with a schedule that reaps great memories rather than great remorse.

New Year's Resolutions for Life – Photo by Lerdsuwa on Wikimedia Commons

Drop the Facade

Perhaps many people are on the world stage, but being genuine can become a great gift to oneself and others. Those that are tempted constantly to please others usually discover the cost of that mentality has its toll. Nobody must be perfect. People who make goals simply in search of pleasing others are often missing a piece of themselves and may never fully experience their own full potential. Being human has a way of automatically humbling all of us at times. Humble pie is not very tasty, but it can be healthy if we don't order the exact same dish over and over. Folks who are genuine may make great discoveries of finding others who share their desire to ditch the prepared lines and speak and live from the heart.

Focus on Priorities for New Year – Photo by U.S. Army on Wikimedia Commons

Drop Unnecessary Expenses

Some settle into a lifestyle that is often fraught with over-spending, although few people recognize it as such. As people purchase and collect more and more items, they often spend large amounts of money simply moving the items from one place to another or searching for ways to store the growing stockpile around them. They may spend large amounts of time trying to keep the items clean while attempting to protect them from weather conditions, theft, and more. Money cannot purchase contentment, and wasted money often leads to more and more extravagant spending and more misery. Consider what items can be sold, given away, or recycled in order to break free from the treasure trap.

Drop Old Lifestyle for New Year – Photo by Clare Cridland on Wikimedia Commons

New Year's Eve Drops for Living and Enjoying Life More Fully

As we add a year to the calendar, we can also drop many things in our lives that are holding us back from enjoying life more fully. Whenever we drop what is unnecessary, we can then more fully enjoy what is most dear and lasting in life.

Additional articles

• Famous New Year's Drops in America Trivia Game
• Famous Centenarians Around the World Trivia Game
• How to Make a Healthy Lifestyle Plan – Tips for Success

How to Wrap a Gift When the Recipient Likes to Peek

Tips for Wrapping a Present for Someone Who Always Guesses the Gift

Some people can wrap gifts, put them under the tree, and the surprise is intact until the big day. And then there are those on the gift opening naughty list. You know the ones. They always know what they are getting. They shake the boxes, peek in the bags, and it is certainly not unheard of for them to carefully unwrap that perfect present and then re-wrap the gift when no one is looking so that they can announce their gift with certainty before opening it.

There are many ways to wrap a gift...and many ways to make the gift a surprise for even the most smug gift guessers with a little extra effort. Here are a few of my favorite ways to make sure that a surprise gift remains incognito until the special day:

Wait Until the Special Day to Present the Present

This might be easier said than done, because many peekers are also searchers. They might already know all the good hiding places around the house. I've been known to hide gifts so well that I forgot about them until long after the holiday. Be careful not to hide something like a laptop in the oven, dryer, or dishwasher.

You might resort to hiding a gift at someone else's house or perhaps waiting until the last minute to purchase the gift. Sometimes wrapping a "decoy" will keep the peeker busy wondering about a box that is beautifully wrapped but contains nothing or perhaps a note that says he or she has been caught peeking. You might also carefully wrap a decoy that contains something that would easily spill, like an cup full of water, if you want to be a little mischievous.

The peeker might resort to looking for receipts or trying to get you or others to confess if you go for this route...some people never admit defeat easily!

Use Powerful Adhesives to Stop Gift Peeking

If you really want the gift to be a surprise and don't feel like hiding it, make it difficult to open. If you can make a prom dress and tux out of duct tape, why not wrap the entire box with this awesome adhesive. Make it even more fun by placing the antidote, WD-40, in the box with the gift. Try completely sealing the top of a gift bag with strong glue. You might try wrapping a gift in cloth and sewing it together if giving a gift to someone who is needle and thread challenged.

Make it More Challenging to Guess a Present

Some gifts might be easy to guess, but wrap them in a huge box with a brick, marbles, candy that rattles, or a kids toy that squeaks when moved, and now you've given that person a challenge. Small gifts might be wrapped in multiple boxes – try placing plastic bags, packing peanuts, or bubble wrap between boxes if you don't want them to bump when being shaken.

Get Creative with Wrapping a Gift

I remember wrapping Christmas presents with the 4-H at an old Roses mall, and they had a special offer to seal a gift inside a can. The gift was placed inside an aluminum can and a lid was then sealed on top. The only way to open the gift was with a can opener. You might be able to find somewhere like a cannery that might help you out. I sealed all sorts of gifts for people with huge smiles on their faces, especially the guy who was going to propose and sealed a diamond ring for his sweetheart!

Give the Gift of a Secret

Giving gifts can be a great experience for both the giver and the recipient. Making sure that the gift is a surprise for those who like to peek can add to the excitement of the special day.

Great Low Cost Gift Ideas for Friends and Family Members

Homemade Raggedies Make Great Inexpensive Gift Idea © Katrena

Those looking for meaningful gift ideas without a high price tag might consider a variety of unusual gift ideas that may carry a world of meaning without straining an already bare bones budget.

Give the Gift of Service for the Holidays © Katrena

Gifts of Service

Those who are physically able might consider offering a gift of service. Give a specific service that would be helpful to him or her. Examples of service gift ideas include:

• Indoor cleaning
• Outdoor cleaning
• "Odd" jobs, such as changing light bulbs, cleaning the gutters, or cleaning a vehicle
• Yard work
• Child care (especially helpful before the holidays if the person is a single parent)
• Driving (especially helpful to seniors who may find night driving difficult)
• Filing (computer savvy folks might offer to file information in electronic storage devices with written instructions on how to retrieve the information)
• Organizing and labeling photographs or helping to create a scrapbook
• Offering to help decorate and take down decorations after a holiday 
• Grooming a pet or offering to keep a pet(s) while the person goes on a vacation
• Whittling down the person's "to do" list – ask about what the person may have been planning to do for a while that he or she might like for you to do

Help With Odd Jobs Can be Great Gift Idea © Katrena

Those who are caregivers might particularly find a bit of respite care to be helpful. Many caregivers have very little time for themselves and might appreciate an offer to watch a loved one. Take the time to learn the routine and get tips about specific aspects of care in order to provide a safe and smooth transition.

Heartfelt Letter Can be Great Idea for Inexpensive Gift © Katrena

Heartfelt Letter

Many people rush through the holiday season with little time for much other than a casual hello. Taking the time to write a specific letter of thanks to a person might be a great way to provide a special gift to someone else that may cheer the soul and can honor that person in a meaningful way. Writing regularly throughout the year might be a tradition to start during a holiday as well.

Ideas for information in a special letter might include:

• Words of appreciation
• Special memories that you have shared with that person
• How that person has influenced your life
• Inspiring words or an original poem
• Artwork by yourself or a child(ren)
• Recorded messages or music that you sing or play

Spending Time Together Can be a Great Low Cost Gift Idea © Katrena

Time together

While some are in a rush going from one place to the next, others in one's life may be quite alone. Setting aside a special time to enjoy that person's company might serve to strengthen ties and provide a great way to share in the life of another. Time together might be informal, which can be a great way to allow for impromptu conversations and can show that you value the other person enough to spend time with him or her.

Those who might not be able to spend time together in person might find that they can connect in other ways such as one the telephone or via the computer.

Homemade Christmas Gifts Carry Great Sentimental Value © Katrena

Handmade Gifts

Those with a hobby might have a wide variety of supplies around the house for making a special gift for another person. Scraps of cloth can be made into a crazy quilt pillow or a doll. Small pieces of wood can be transformed into beautiful ornaments or a toothpick holder. Yarn can be woven into a nice hat or scarf.

With a little imagination and time, small and simple items can become great, unique gifts for special people on your list. This can also give you the opportunity to personalize the gift to reflect the person's interests.

Make a Memory With Handmade Gifts © Katrena

I have made an ornament for each of my kids for Christmas each year. I include her name and year on each ornament and each year they enjoy putting up their own special ornaments on the tree. My mom made stockings for each of us kids, and those simple gifts carry a wealth of great Christmas memories for me and my siblings to this day.

Although giving and receiving gifts often carries a high price tag, many of the most cherished gifts are those given from the heart.

Readers may also wish to read:

• Free Books and so Much More at Your Local Library
• Fun Outdoor Winter Snow Games for a Family With Kids
• How to Enjoy a Staycation with the Kids

See Katrena's Wildflower Bouquets site map for more articles, printables, scavenger hunts, and game ideas.

Nativity Scenes Showcase Birth of Jesus for Christmas and Advent

Nativity Scene from Ecuador ©Katrena

Nativity scenes, also called manger scenes, abound during the days before Christmas, and this can be a great way to remember the birth of the Christ child. These scenes can vary widely in size and materials, but each nativity has a common thread – Jesus as a baby.

Mary Joseph and Jesus – A Simple Nativity Scene ©Katrena

The birth of Jesus is mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke in the Holy Bible. These accounts show how God positioned Himself on earth in human form as Jesus was born of a virgin named Mary. Some nativity scenes are quite simple. They may depict Mary holding the baby Jesus.

Nativity Nesting Dolls Scene from Ukraine ©Katrena

Wooden Nativity Scene with Mary Joseph and Jesus ©Katrena

Nativity scenes may include other people, such as Joseph, to whom Mary was engaged to be married. Joseph was of the lineage of David. Joseph, like others of that time, had to return to his homeland in order to be counted for a census that was decreed by Caesar Augustus. Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem for this purpose, and this became Jesus' birth place.

Cross-stitch Nativity Scene ©Katrena

Shepherds are often included in nativity scenes. They learned of the good news at night while watching their sheep and hurried to see the Christ child, who was born in a stable because the local inn was full. A manger became a makeshift bed for Jesus, the Messiah of the world.

Wooden Nativity Scene ©Katrena

Wise men, sometimes referred to as Magi, traveled from the east to see Jesus by following a special star leading them to Bethlehem. They brought gifts of gold (a gift fit for a king), frankincense (a gift fit for a priest), and myrrh (recognizing the primary purpose of the Messiah – to die for the sins of the world) to honor the newborn Messiah. Nativity scenes often depict three wise men as each carries one of the three gifts.

Painted Wooden Nativity Scene ©Katrena

Nativity Scene With Angel in Loft ©Katrena

Angels may appear in a nativity scene. An angel spoke to Mary, informing her of her role as the chosen mother of the Messiah. Joseph was also visited by an angel, who reassured him of the truth of Mary's strange story. The shepherds saw a heavenly host in the sky as they sang joyous praises announcing Jesus' birth.

Nativity Scene with People and Animals ©Katrena

Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus Nativity Scene on Pillow ©Katrena

Animals often make an appearance in a nativity scene also. Donkeys, lambs, cows, oxen, horses, camels, birds, and other animals might be included in a nativity scene. Sheep might be near the shepherds while camels might stand with wise men.

Nativity Scene Painted on Christmas Ornament ©Katrena

Painted Nativity Scene at Church ©Katrena

Nativity scenes may involve handiwork and artistry, from cross-stich to sewing, from yarn on plastic canvas to painting. Some nativity scenes are very kid-friendly and might include music and may even fold for easy storage and travel. Others may be quite fragile, with pieces made from breakable materials or that have been handed down for generations. A nativity might also be encased in an unusual material such as an egg shell or blown glass.

Unusual Nativity Scene ©Katrena

Nativity Scene from Guatemala ©Katrena

Scenes depicting the birth of Jesus often reflect local culture in choice of materials, scenery, and details of the figures.

Child Visits a Live Nativity Scene ©Katrena

Nativity Scene Acted Out in Church Program ©Katrena

Some churches, schools, individuals, or communities offer a live nativity, in which people dress up to represent the holy scene. They may act out the various events surrounding Jesus' birth or may simply stand in place as walkers or riders pass by. Hymns related to Jesus' birth may be sung at a live nativity as well, and live animals may also be included.

Beautiful Nativity Scene ©Katrena

Christmas is a time when many people reflect on the awesome and unusual thought of God humbling himself in the form of a human baby who would not only teach about love but demonstrate his own sacrificial love to all humankind by presenting himself as a perfect sacrifice for all.

Ceramic Nativity Scene ©Katrena

Advent Calendar Provides Hands-on Opportunity to Learn About Christmas

Advent Calendar Can Make Christmas Come Alive ©Katrena

Advent calendars can be a great way to prepare for Christmas, especially for visual and kinesthetic learners. Reading and talking about Advent can be informative, but adding suspense, action, and excitement to the season can make it come alive!

Find a Surprise Behind Each Drawer of Advent Calendar ©Katrena

Advent calendars traditionally contain 24 windows, drawers, pockets, sections, items, etc. One window or drawer is opened for each day of the Advent season, except for the four Sundays during the season in which the Advent wreath is lit, culminating with opening the final section on Christmas Eve. Cloth Advent calendars typically are hung on a wall and have an item that is moved from one pocket to the next. The Advent season begins four Sundays before Christmas.

Add Suspense With Advent Calendar ©Katrena

Advent calendars can be as simple as a coloring page or as elaborate as a 3-D Advent calendar in which a surprise is placed in each drawer or behind each door. The surprises might be a piece of candy, Bible verse, personal note, figure from a nativity set, an ornament, toy, or other items.

Scriptures Often Read During Advent - Photo by Trounce at Wikimedia Commons

Scriptures, stories, or devotions may be read for each day of the Advent calendar. These might be the focus in the morning, before bedtime, or at another time when everyone can be together for a few moments.

Advent Calendar Adds Excitement to Christmas Season - Photo by Marianne Schneegans at Wikimedia Commons

Some people may also call an Advent calender a countdown calendar or Christmas calendar. Those who like to do crafts may enjoy making an Advent calendar with one's own personal touch. Some Christmas or Advent-themed books contain an Advent calendar.

Advent Calendars Offer Great Diversity - Photo by Tim 'Avatar' Bartel at Wikimedia Commons

Below are a few examples of different types of Advent calendars:

• Sermons4Kids offers a very simple free coloring page with an Advent theme. Stickers may be placed on the stars instead of coloring if preferred.
• DLTK has 24 free Advent-related coloring pages with scriptures at the bottom of each.
• Gardener's Supply has a Woodland Cabin Advent calendar with small wooden animals.
• Bas Bleu has an elaborate Venice themed Advent calendar.

Advent Wreath Helps Prepare Mind and Heart for Christmas Season

Prepare for Christmas With Advent Wreath - Photo by Andrea Schaufler at Wikimedia Commons

Observing Advent can help draw one's mind and spirit toward keeping Jesus Christ at the center of the Advent and Christmas seasons. In the Christian church, Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas Day and continues the approximately four weeks before Christmas. Observing Advent through the use of an Advent wreath may be done in the church, home, or other setting and might include very simple to quite elaborate pieces.

Advent Calendar with Candles © Katrena

Advent Colors and Candles

I recall being so excited to see the purple, or violet, liturgical colors up front during Advent at my church. After all, purple was my favorite color when I was a kid! Each liturgical season features a color to help focus one's mind and recall symbols handed down for many years.

It is interesting to note that purple in the Christian church often denotes penitence and mourning while also symbolizing royalty. Some churches use blue during part or all of the Advent season. Learning more of the history and meaning of this season can deepen one's knowledge of the Scriptures and continue a tradition begun many years before.

One Advent tradition at churches I have attended is the lighting of the Advent wreath, which often four purple purple candles placed in a circle, often placed with greenery to make a wreath. Some churches and individuals may use other colors for the candles. One popular choice is to have a pink third candle. Blue, white, gold, or red candles have also been used in Advent wreaths for the outer candles.

Advent wreaths may include a white Christ candle, located in the center. This candle might be larger or taller than the four candles surrounding it. The wreath may be placed on a pedestal, suspended, or put on a table or altar.

One candle is lit on the first Sunday in Advent. On the second Sunday of Advent, the first candle and another candle is lit. On the third Sunday of Advent, the third candle, which is pink if used, is lit in addition to the other two, and all four outer candles are lit on the fourth Sunday of the Advent season. All candles, including the center Christ candle are lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Advent Wreath May be Elaborate or Simple - Photo by Immanuel Giel at Wikimedia Commons

Advent Symbols and Scriptures

Scriptures or reflections are typically read as candles are lit each Sunday during Advent. Sometimes people in the congregation are invited to participate in the lighting of the Advent wreath, and families might coordinate this into an activity that involves everyone as well.

Advent is typically a season in which people focus on the theme of return or arrival. Many churches recall the Old Testament prophecies of the coming of the Messiah and New Testament scripture verses about the birth, or arrival, of Jesus. Advent also focuses on preparations for the predicted second coming of Christ.

The wreath itself tends to be green, which typically symbolizes life. The circle shape often is used to represent no beginning and no end, something that continues, such as a love that continues despite all circumstances.

I have seen a variety of themes used for the four Advent candles, the most common focusing on themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. The candles might simply represent Christ as the light of the world. Other themes focus on prophecy, Bethlehem, shepherds, and angels as each candle is lit.

ChristianYear.net offers a detailed history of the Advent wreath with examples of scriptures and prayers for each week. The PCUSA offers children's readings for the lighting of the Advent wreath.

Unexpected Blessings of Adopting a Shelter Dog

Benefits of Adopting a Shelter Dog ©Katrena

Adopting a shelter dog was something I had considered, and decided against, for many years. My kids and I have asthma and multiple allergies. I kept thinking of my previous pets, two loving and loved guinea pigs that my allergist encouraged me over and over again to move to a different home because I would break out in hives every time I held the furry little guys. I kept picturing my kids' faces if we got a dog and then had to find a new home for the dog if everyone's allergies and asthma flared.

I grew up with a sweet little dog named Benji. He was an outdoor dog and full of a sweet and loving personality. Benji loved to go out for walks with me and hated baths as much as I did. My pet duck terrorized the poor guy, and the neighbor's cat would sashay just out of reach of Benji's chain...until the day his chain broke. You never saw a cat move faster or a dog look prouder as Benji did when he finally treed the furry feline!

My kids' health was my top priority, but the girls had been begging for a dog for weeks, actually years. I finally decided to look...just look. The Humane Society adopts animals from the shelter and prepares them for adoption in my county. We looked there first, but I think they were afraid the dogs available would not be a great fit with the allergy and asthma history at our home.

Travel down a gravel road past the Humane Society into what seems the middle of nowhere and you'll find the animal shelter in our county. The area was fenced with a phone number posted on the door in case someone needed to speak with a worker, so I walked around the perimeter and saw the faces of many potential forever friends. I won't elaborate, but I will say that it can give one a sense of gratitude to realize that you might make a world of difference to an animal. The need outweighs the resources by a long shot.

Dogs don't usually look particularly appealing in the rain, and one white dog that seemed to be a poodle mix looked especially pitiful at the dog pound. I had read from several different sources that white dogs with some poodle in them might be a good choice for people with allergies and asthma because they do not tend to shed as much. This young dog seemed playful, sweet, and healthy, so I called the number on the shelter door so that I could pay the fee and adopt our new addition to the family. She shook like a leaf all the way to her new home.

Kids and Dog Having Fun in the Snow Together ©Katrena

Dogs Can Make a Person More Humble

I will readily admit that I knew almost nothing about caring for a house dog. My childhood dog had lived outside, and I had no idea that dogs that live in the house might wake a person in the middle of the night just like a child. There's nothing like being in a deep sleep only to be jarred out of it by frenzied barking or having one's toes licked. I don't think I will ever understand why neither the dog nor the alarm ever awakens anyone in my house but me, but I also have seen some beautiful night sky displays with our pooch.

I also discovered that young dogs might enjoy chewing on anything and everything. Our newfound friend decided to chew off the hands and feet of nearly every baby doll in the house. Dog toys would be mangled in moments, and the dog quickly chewed through three leashes and three collars. Cords that connect computers and peripheral devices may also become tasty treats for a canine. I began to learn to look at the house from the dog's perspective and moved or hid items accordingly while attempting to teach our new pet to chew her more rugged toys. I also discovered that installing a baby gate and purchasing a kennel would be well worth the effort.

Apparently, our dog was not used to going into a kennel, and she would urinate all over herself if left in the kennel even for 15 minutes. I had read that dogs won't go to the bathroom if they are in a kennel. Don't believe everything you read. Things improved over time, but I quickly discovered that if it sounds better than expected, it just might be.

On quite a few occasions, I felt like simply leaving the mop out and poised in the kitchen. My youngest daughter was potty training, and when I didn't have a mess in the bathroom, I was scrubbing the carpet due to a dog deposit. I knew if I left the mop out that it would probably be shredded if I turned my back, but it was tempting. Eventually both the child and dog mastered that all-important milestone. Hurray!

After discovering that our dog had an ear infection, I thought that she would stop constantly scratching after treatment, but the veterinarian eventually determined that our dog has allergies. We bought special dog food and special soap. Whenever I made the announcement to the kids, my oldest got the biggest smile on her face and exclaimed, "Wow, even our dog has allergies...she's the perfect dog for us!" I didn't even consider that side of the coin. Amazingly, nobody's allergies or asthma was bothered by the dog, and we have had her for about two years now.

Humble pie is never a very tasty treat, but perhaps a dog can serve to strengthen the core, or at least encourage people to think of creative solutions.

Dog Adoption Success Story ©Katrena

Dogs May Serve as Great Alarm Systems

Many people pay for elaborate alarm systems to protect their homes and to alert people of visitors or prowlers on the property. Our dog quickly decided that one of her jobs would be to alert us to anything unusual that might be going on outside. If a visitor ever comes to our house, I don't think they would be able to sneak in because our furry friend loves to announce any movement on or near our property.

Our dog will gladly announce whenever someone returns to the house as well. This used to include times whenever a person might walk outside for about 30 seconds, but that time frame has increased a bit over time. According to our dog, visitors might also take the form of squirrels, cats, other dogs, leaves blowing in the wind, or anything else that might be moving outside!

Dogs Can Make Great Friends ©Katrena

Dogs May Help Communication Skills

They say that listening is one of the best communication skills to learn. Having a dog to sit attentively and simply look at you with big brown eyes may serve to open doors that one could never predict. My second oldest daughter was five at the time we adopted the dog, and she would excitedly draw pictures for and read to the dog. She still loves to read.

My youngest was three at the time, and she did not speak very much. Her two older sisters readily spoke for her. After bringing our dog home, the youngest suddenly had so much to say! She would talk and talk and talk to the dog as she would drag the poor dog around by the collar from one room to the next.

I feel sure that our canine friend probably knows many things that I only wish I knew about my kids' lives. A dog that is a little too large for a lap can also make a great foot warmer for those who enjoy writing.

Pet Ownership Responsibilities ©Katrena

Dogs Can Help People to Learn More About Responsibility

Taking care of another living being can be an awesome learning experience for children, and a dog can teach people in the home a lot about caring for another. Fresh food, water, regular exercise, bathing, and brushing can all encourage consistency in learning responsibilities.

This is something to consider before adopting any pet. I recently read of a lady who had to sign a contract agreeing to take care of a dog before her parents agreed to bring one home, and she later began to rescue animals as an adult.

My kids have also learned more about animal behavior and how to read their cues after we adopted our dog.

Dogs Can Enrich Lives of Others ©Katrena

Dogs Can Provide Companionship

Having a dog can provide the wonderful gift of companionship. A dog might lick one's tears or simply sit in a lap or run with wagging tail to greet you when you can't even stand yourself at the moment. Dogs don't tend to hold grudges...a lesson few of us learn very well. For all the care they require, they readily give back above and beyond with an amazing capacity to come close and touch humanity at the heart.

Hide and Seek – Variations for Fun Indoor Family Activities

Ready or Not...Here Comes a Fun Game of Hide & Seek! ©Katrena

Hide-and-seek, also called hide-and-go-seek, is a simple and free game that can make inside play time a world of fun together. This game has very simple directions, little or no necessary supplies, and can easily be tweaked for various age levels and may be played with small or large groups. Families and friends can find this to be a fun way to connect.

Variations of hide-and-seek may be helpful if you have kids of various ages or if the children want to play the game over and over. You may want to try some different themes and ways of playing the game to make it new and exciting again and to incorporate some educational skills; however, I have found that the tried and true basic game can be fun over and over again. My kids seem to never tire of playing hide and seek.

Step-by-step Guide for Playing Hide-and-Seek With Variations

How to Play Hide-and-Seek: the Basics

1. Determine the limits and boundaries in which players may hide before beginning to play.
2. Choose someone to be the seeker (a very young child might want to accompany the seeker each time).
3. All other players are the hiders (little ones may need to be paired with a more experienced hider).
4. The seeker goes to a designated room, also known as home or home base, closes the door, and counts to 10.
5. The hiders hide in a chosen spot.
6. When the seeker gets to 10, he shouts "Ready or not, here I come!"
7. The seeker begins to look for the hiders until everyone is found.
8. The last person to be found becomes the next seeker.

Hide-and-go-Seek Variations for Various Ages & Abilities

Fun Variations of Hide-and-Seek

Add more interest to hide-and-seek by letting all hiders have the ability to get back to home base before the seeker finds them. As the seeker begins to look, the hiders can sneak back to home base to become "safe." This works best when the home base is in a central location in the house.

The seeker may recruit help in one version of hide and seek as the found players may assist with finding other hiders. Eventually all players will be searching for a lone hider at the end.

Make hide-and-go-seek harder and quicker by placing a short time limit on each turn. As the seeker begins to look, he only has a designated number of minutes to find everyone. Another way to make the game go faster is to have all hiders to hide in the same place.

Another way to make hide-and-seek harder is to allow hiders to change hiding places while the seeker is searching. Hiders may even move to hide in home base.

Make hide-and-go-seek easier by having the seeker to say a word while the hiders respond with a word. For example, every time the hider says "Marco," the hiders must respond with "Polo." This variation can be made more difficult if the seeker is blindfolded.

Add some interest and a few school skills by having the seeker to count to ten backwards, in another language, or to skip count by 2s, 3s, 5s, 10s, etc. Fast counters might need to count to 20, 50, or 100. The game might be themed to a holiday as the seeker names reindeer or names ten items related to a holiday. Instead of counting, the seeker might have to name the books of the New Testament, identify states in a region on a map, or sing a song before looking for the others who are hiding.

Hide-and-seek after dark can loads of fun to this traditional and simple game. Turn out the lights and try the game in the dark. You may wish to turn on nightlights in a few select areas for safety purposes. The seeker may or may not carry a flashlight. Even very open places in the daytime might make great hiding places if they are in the shadows. Another option for after dark hide-and-seek is to hide glowing items, such as glow sticks, instead of people or to have each person to carry a glow stick.

Another variation of hide and seek in the dark is to give it a theme and encourage a bit of acting. I remember when my mom would pretend to be a witch and would cackle and say "Where are those little children?" in her best witchy voice. When she would scrape her fingernails along the heating ducts while searching, it would send shivers down the bravest spine!

Teach Life Skills With Hide-and-go-Seek ©Katrena

Simple Games That Encourage Learning Skills

It can be great fun to watch the kids develop their thinking skills and teamwork abilities as they grow older. They can go from giggling and saying "I'm here" to finding a hiding places that no one can readily find. Families who enjoy playing hide-and-go-seek may also like to try some scavenger hunts or find other great indoor activities. Check out the Wildflower Bouquets site map for all of my resources for enjoying life's simple pleasures – I add content on a regular basis, so visit my site again soon!