Holiday Shopping Ideas

We all recognize that the holidays won’t be quite as exciting this year as they have been in the past. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy some online shopping and the ability to spread the joy to others. Obviously, it’s important to stay within a budget and to know your limitations – particularly if this has been a hard economic year for you and your family.

Here are a few of the popular lists that people seem to love for gift ideas.

Oprah’s Favorite Things List. Who doesn’t love Oprah’s list each year? And even if she is a billionaire, she actually finds some well priced finds for the rest of us.

For the readers out there, there is always a book to be had and enjoyed. Check out this November list of new releases and get your list for your favorite bookworm ready.

For the person who has everything, or perhaps just for your enjoyment, check out the Goop holiday gift guide. I’ve always wanted a watermelon carrier – and now I can have one!

Get Paid to Watch Movies

It might seem like a joke, but it’s actually not one. Reviews.org is actually going to pay one lucky person to sit at home and watch 25 movies in 25 days. They are selecting someone who wants to watch these movies and get paid $2500 to do so! The person needs to be over the age of 18 and have the ability to stream movies.

This is certainly worth checking out if you’re a coach potato – or even if you aren’t and you’d like to make great money for watching your television.

Of course, we can only imagine that the competition is going to be quite fierce for this job, particularly this year.

Reasons to Smile

There are so many reasons to be stressed today. We are all struggling with economic insecurities, social distancing from those we love, and so much more. And while social media can be an incredibly divisive and difficult place to be – it can also be a place that brings us more smiles. Here are a few fun social media accounts that will brighten your day no matter your circumstances at the moment.

There is a French bulldog making people smile this month, as he dresses up in a different costume each day to get ready for Halloween. He goes by Goodboy.toad and he’s definitely worth a glance!

Next, we’ve got an amazing grandmother who is really showing the rest of us how to have fun and how to live. Baddiewinkle will make you smile and giggle.

For the ultimate famous laugh, Jerry Seinfeld is always a sure win. He’s still got it and he’s offering it up to the rest of us.

The artists out there will love seeing the things that this guy manages to draw on coffee cups.

These are just a few of the many resources you have that can help you to have a minute of fun and light humor in your day. It’s worth the time to brighten up your day and add some smiles!

Can You Paint Upside Down?

Life is heavy and difficult for so many right now. It seems only natural to want to offer some interesting and unusual entertainment here to lighten the move and provide a distraction. If you’ve never seen the artist Boubou Dakar paint, then you’re about to enjoy an amazing 45 seconds; or it might be a few hours as you go from video to video. He’s better than any magician out there – and his art is as fabulous as his technique. Enjoy!

3 Anxiety-Reducing Techniques

It’s a stressful time for people around the world. While we can all acknowledge the external stressors in our lives, we can still work to create internal stress-relief and to focus on our own peace of mind. Here are three ways that you may find stress relief in a supercharged environment.

  1. Yoga. Yoga is a great way to help you to relax. It is beneficial both for the physical body and for the mind. As explained in this article from CNN, even five minutes of yoga a day can help you to release some of the stress that you feel and to unwind before going to bed.
  2. Acupuncture. The benefits of acupuncture are extensive and it’s a form of therapy that has been used for thousands of years. While some people may be nervous about the idea of having someone use needles on them, acupuncture is really a very soothing activity and one that has many benefits.
  3. Meditation. There are many different ways to meditate and you can find a great deal of information online about how to start meditating. The idea here, similar to yoga, is that it allows you to clear your mind and to focus on something besides your worries.

Both yoga and meditation can be done from the comfort of your home for free. Of course, you can also go to a studio or join a group that will help you to do yoga or to meditate in a group. Acupuncture requires a bit more time and expense, but the benefits are well worth it for many people.

Night Exploration with your Kids

So many of us will be starting the school year (or have already started it) with at-home learning or a hybrid of at-home and school time. It’s more important now, than ever, to think of ways to keep the kids stimulated (and safe!) at home. In this article, freelance writer Terry Ward offers some interesting suggestions for taking a walk with your child at night.

While most of us tend to enjoy the quiet of the evening, and the chance to get the kids to bed early, nighttime may be the best time to explore your surroundings with your inquisitive child. This is a way to get outside and to listen to what the natural surroundings have to offer.

Ward is very careful to explain that this type of adventure has to be conducted with very little expectation – this is an opportunity to explore with your child without a goal in mind. Read the article and see if this might be an interesting addition to your new routine with your kid or kids. Just remember to bring bug spray and a light jacket along!