REUSE AND RECYCLE: This holiday season, try using reusable cloth bags or gift bags that can be used time and time again instead of wasting.

“Let this be the November you always remember. The November you chose to believe there was more to your future than you were able to see. The November where you learned to trust that after everything happened, in time, you would grow in the courage to open up again. and you could look forward to these new unknowns, believing that no matter what would happen, you would still grow. You would still be worthy of love, even though you were made to feel you were not good enough. Let this be the November you chose to rise above. Let this be the November where everything changed, and you decided you were free to heal and never be the same.” — Morgan Harper Nichols.

Giving thanks should be a daily activity with sincerity and love. This is the month that we celebrate Thanksgiving – a time when families and friends come together and share blessings. In reality, we should be giving thanks and sharing blessings each day and each month of the year.

As you count your blessings and extend a helping hand to those in need, make an effort to be more loving and kind to others. A smile is something that you can never give away, because each time you give it, it is returned right back to you. Make great choices this time of the year!

Seasonal tips that will help you make great your holiday choices are as follows. Select real trees rather than artificial ones to decorate your home for Christmas. Both have positives and negatives under the banner of environmental awareness and good stewardship. Real trees do contribute to helping produce the oxygen we breathe while artificial trees impact the environment through resource depletion which is much more than using real trees. If you’re choosing a real tree, buy local.

Approximately 60 million rolls of gift wrap paper are used at this time each year with much of it from non-recycled sources. Consider being more artistic and environmental-friendly by using reusable cloth bags and recycled paper. Gift bags that can be reused time and again are a good choice too. What do you use to wrap your holiday gifts?

Use LED lights throughout your home, both in decorations and function. If you’re still using that classic string of lights from “way back when,” you need to update and upgrade. The newer LED lights use much less power (up to 90 percent more energy efficient) while offering both function and aesthetics.

Many of the toys, gadgets and devices found under the tree on Christmas morning may require many batteries which are filled with toxic chemicals and ultimately end up in landfills. Rather than buying multiple huge packs of standard alkaline batteries, consider buying rechargeable batteries, especially the ones that can be recharged in a USB port.

Enter into an agreement with friends and family to ban unnecessary Christmas presents. Gift them your time and conversation instead. Use that funding and more to buy food and clothing for the homeless and needy. Choose a charity to help support.

Don’t borrow money to buy for Christmas. However, if you must, then get a zero percent credit card that offers a small credit line. Plan to repay immediately after the holidays. Some grocery stores offer gas cards at a bargain (20% discount, ie. $50 for $40). and yes, there are strings attached, meaning you have to buy a certain amount of groceries to be eligible to buy the cards.

Do your homework and check out vendors before buying on-line (read customer reviews). What is more important to you, shopping locally or searching the web for real deals? Minimize impulse buying. When buying gifts, be sure the retailer provides you a gift receipt which will allow the recipient to make exchanges, get refunds, etc. when an item doesn’t fit or accommodate them. Don’t buy anything that is not needed. This will help you better manage your holiday budget.

Consider after-the-holiday sales. Many seasonal items (giftwrap, Christmas cards, decorations, etc.) are marked down after Christmas, sometimes up to 90% off. Also, you should consider a gift card as your Christmas gift to friends and family so they can find a bargain in clothes, electronics, etc. after the holiday has passed. Don’t overbuy your food items at the grocery store since many bargains will be BOGO (buy one get one free) – only buy what you need during a specific window of time.

To help in energy savings during the Christmas season use candles, LED Christmas lights and permanent fixtures, as well as placing time limits on the burning of all lights. Don’t burn your Christmas lights 24/7 – choose specific times during the day or night that will give you and your guests greatest enjoyment. Turn them off when you retire for the evening. With permanent fixtures, don’t burn every light in house simultaneously. When you leave a room, turn those lights out, as well as electronic equipment. Unplug phone chargers when not in use. If you have a fireplace, use it and save on heating costs. Use flannel sheets and heavier blankets on your beds and let your body generate heat under the covers to keep you warm so you can have another opportunity to turn down the thermostat at night. In your holiday cooking, selectively use the microwave and toaster ovens for smaller tasks and use your main oven for larger cooking tasks. While cooking on the stove, keep the lids on your pots so your food will cook in less time.

Thanksgiving is about giving thanks and sharing blessings and Christmas is about Jesus and His love. Take a moment each day of this month to offer up thanks for each of your blessings which will help better prepare you for the coming holidays.

Remember to read the Book of Luke (24 chapters) in the Bible beginning on Dec 1 and reading a chapter a night through Dec 24. All this to better learn and understand Who and why we celebrate Christmas. CHRISTmas is about Jesus and His love and in these chapters you will read an entire account of Jesus’ life. Love others and help the homeless every chance you get. As you receive His blessings, always pay them forward. Enjoy November!

“The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3. “I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:2-3. “If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. “For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:10. “But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your forefathers, as it is today.” Deuteronomy 8:18.