Issue Extras: January 2009

Additional tips from readers on handling post-holiday tips

Make decorations for next Christmas by recycling all of those holiday cards, gift bags, wrapping paper and bows.

You can make ornaments, wall hangings . . . pretty much anything that can use some glue, glitter and a little bit of creativity.

People tend to get into the giving spirit around the holidays, but it's important to remember to do this all year long.

Perhaps finding a place to volunteer that is family-friendly and to keep the spirit of giving beyond Christmas. — Michelle Pasquerello Amodio

Planning family nights such as bowling, board games etc, translates into wonderful family time. Other family activities: Sunday Mass, Prayer, vacations, visiting other distant family members, simply doing a simple project as helping the homeless, or having having family discussions about how everyone's day has been. — Mary Beth Kravatz Ricci

For me personally, I go to Eucharistic Adoration every week. No matter what season we seem to be going into or out of that is a nice way to center my thoughts and refocus my efforts. I always ask God to help me embrace things that are important in my life and let go of the things that aren’t. I also consistently work out. Right after the holidays, though, I seem to increase the intensity a bit to work off an extra holiday pound or two, and continue to keep the energy flowing to combat the winter “blahs.” — Kevin Sorg

Calendar of feasts

Click here for the 2009 Calendar of Feasts»

Christmas quotes

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. -- Norman Vincent Peale

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. -- Roy L. Smith

There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries. -- W.J. Cameron

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall. -- Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas