This Christmas, Think Differently

I have worked in retail for many years and I have seen the best and the worst in people, but that is indicative of society in general. Please do not go to a store on Christmas eve, especially the toy department, and yell at the staff if they have sold out of what you wanted. Your child will be fine with something else. I only received one toy each year and that taught me a lot. Thank you mum for saying no, no matter how I tried to "negotiate".

I give the gift of me. I don't mean that I am a gift to the world, more that I give friends my time just for me to show my appreciation for the year that has nearly ended. Too many lives were lost this year, including my friends friends, and I know the value of just being present with someone. That can be your present.
Go to a local park or restaurant or a place where you first met your friend and just be with them.
I'm not a scrooge, watching my money heavily, but I would rather buy small gifts for people throughout the year when I think of them rather than forcing myself to think hard of what they would like in December. But for others it works, so please continue doing what works best for you.

I like to buy small gifts for people who get surprised by it for example my laundrette or spare a thought for the chemist who has put up with looking at all of your bumps and bruises throughout the year.

Christmas cards are great for catching those friends who are far away. No, an e-card will not suffice. Pen to card.

Family owned businesses are great as well as they pass on valuable knowledge to relatives within the business as long as they keep an open mind to external influences and suggestions as a business should always be evolving.
Now that the warmer weather is upon us, what better time spent than outdoors in your own private sanctuary created for you by the family business The Urban Balcony, if you are in Australia, or Jardin Outdoor for New Zealand.

The Urban Balcony

Jardin Outdoor

This is the one time of the year when the larger stores show a profit. It sets them up for the rest of the year as the other months they can be struggling to break even. Keep that in mind when you visit local businesses who don't have the budget to advertise year round.

Make your own hampers if you can. No it doesn't take up too much time as you don't need to have Peruvian marmalade jam to make an impact. How about an empty hamper bought from a local store or $2 shop, and you fill it with Dick Smith Food (Google your own local hero's if you are not in Australia) where 100% of the profit goes to charity. Of course, for extra impact, remember to say that when giving your hand made hamper to the recipient.

Of course I want you to go shopping in the larger department stores, but even a few dollars here and there can make a big difference if you go shopping locally. Eg. 700 viewers to my blog x $5 spent locally = $3500. That is a couple of months wages for them to pay their staff.

"I Bought A Dickie" facebook page

Dick Smith Foods Website