Christmas

Grieving Through the Holidays

Posted on 12/24/2012 by Amy Goyer | Aging, Home & Family Expert | Comments

Caregiving | Home & Family | Relationships Christmas is upon us and I am both relieved and apprehensive. The holidays this year are especially difficult for my family because they are the culmination of our first year of grief. My niece, Shaelee, lost her life to suicide on Jan. 4 at the age of 19. She suffered from bipolar disorder for much of her life. It has been a rough year – to say we miss her terribly is such an understatement.We also have the challenge of ongoing grief and loss as my …

28 Ways to Heal From Tragedy

Posted on 12/20/2012 by Amy Goyer | Aging, Home & Family Expert | Comments

Home & Family | Relationships | Your LifeMany of us are experiencing grief and sorrow after the shock of the deaths in Newtown, Conn., on Friday. The tragic shootings have brought many issues to the forefront: gun control, school safety, mental illness and the daily tragedy of thousands of children around the world who die every day from violence, child abuse, neglect and hunger. How can we lift ourselves up from the fear, sadness and negativity? What can we, as individuals, do to make a difference? At …

How to Survive Busy Airports During the Christmas Season

Posted on 12/20/2012 by David Porter | AARP Blog Author | Comments

TravelTis the season for chaos, conniption fits, and cancellations in our nation’s airports. To help you arrive at your destination with your sanity intact, here are a few holiday travel tips to follow: Arrive at the airport earlier than normal. Seriously. A great deal of the stress found at our nation’s airports during very busy times is caused by late travelers. The airports are certain to be busy, and arriving an hour earlier than normal is certain to alleviate the potential of …

Use ‘Slice’ to Keep Track of Online Shopping

Posted on 12/6/2012 by Suzie Mitchell | Technology | Comments

TechnologyI love discount online shopping. In fact, some days I worry I’m addicted to it. I’m a member of the popular deep discount “members only” clothing and home goods websites Gilt Groupe, Rue La La, Haute Look and One Kings Lane. I say “members only” with a smile, because anyone who signs up becomes a member. Every day, and twice a day during the holiday shopping season, these sites send me emails highlighting items that are discounted 50 percent or more. …

I’ll Be at the Hospital for Christmas

Posted on 12/25/2011 by Amy Goyer | Aging, Home & Family Expert | Comments

Caregiving | Relationships | Your LifeThe brilliant red Poinsettia is on the table, Christmas card beside it. Visitors come and go bringing hugs and Christmas cheer. There is turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie in the dining room. In the background, I hear the sound of vintage 1949 Bing Crosby filling the air with “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and with all my heart I wish we were. But we’re not – we’re at the hospital for Christmas. The table decorated with Poinsettia and Christmas cards …

Holiday Tip: Think Outside the Shirt Box and Give the Gift of Service

Posted on 12/20/2011 by Leigh Anne Tuohy | Volunteering | Comments

VolunteeringDo you remember when you were a child and the Sears catalog would arrive right before the holidays and you, or at least I would, go through and circle everything you wanted for Christmas? It had all the presents you could want in one place. I can hear my father right now saying, “Did you leave anything for anyone else?” I would always have a split second of guilt, but it quickly passed. The holidays can be like a juggling act, …