How to Bring the Movie Elf into your Home

If you want to see a great holiday movie, rent Elf. In this movie, Will Farrell plays a human raised by elves. The message? Loving life, the importance of spending time with those you love and the value in believing in goodness. How great is that?

We have watched that movie probably a hundred times. The kids are obsessed and I never seem to tire of it. One of the things Farrell’s character does is create elaborate decorations out of simple materials. He takes white paper and makes tons of paper snowflakes and white paper chains and fills rooms with them. Remember those paper chains from your childhood?

Well, the kids and I were watching that movie - again - and I thought, maybe WE could decoratelike Elf. So, we watched the movie and stapled and cut and taped. And I have to tell you. The living and dining rooms have never looked so festive. We have snowflakes hanging over doorways and white paper chains draped all around. I know, I know. Probably not so great to use so much paper. But it really wasn’t that much. A few sheets of copy paper makes a really long chain.

So, who would have thought? Something so simple, so easy, so inexpensive could be so fun to do and so beautiful to look at. I think from now on this will be one of our simpler traditions. Watching Elf and putting together some paper decorations. Oh, and by the way, we also packed up some of those snowflakes and sent them to family in their gift packages. I think grandparents will love getting some Florida snowflakes, don’t you?

Happy Holidays. Keep it simple and full of love.

For easy ways to keep it simple, check out my website at simplyputtogether.com

Doctrine of the Cat

I had to take my cat to the vet today. He was sick. And scared. He just couldn’t stop crying. History tells me not to let any of my cats out of the carrier before absolutely necessary. (Think: crawling under cabinets, leaping maniacally around the room and crawling from my ankle to my shoulder in 2 seconds flat. And, yes, that really hurts). Anyway, I couldn’t resist. I unzipped his carrier and petted him. In an instant, that loud piercing cry stopped. He was more relaxed with his head popping out of the cage and my hand rubbing his fur. I didn’t do anything else. We just sat there in silence together waiting for the doctor. But the touch did wonders, and, I think, having his head free from that cage.

Of course, this got me to thinking. When we are panicked and scared, what helps us the most? Based on this morning, I can think of two things.

Comfort

Someone there to comfort us. Someone not necessarily offering the answers, just being there with us. Touch is an amazing healer. Whether it be a hug, a massage, or a gentle pat on the shoulder. Touch is a source of universal comfort.

A Way Out

I think my cat felt better knowing there was a way out. He knew he wasn’t going anywhere in that moment. In fact, he didn’t even try. But he could see the way out. He knew, when the time was right, how he was getting out of that carrier. I am thinking that is true of us as well. When we are struggling, knowing the way out can really be a simple way to get some control back, to feel better, more centered.

If you are feeling overwhelmed at all, try these two tricks to help you get through.

1. Create a list of your comfort people. The people you can rely on to calm and comfort you. Keep that list handy. And use that list when you need it. Don’t deny yourself the support you deserve.

2. When you are feeling overwhelmed, ask yourself what you need to do to “get out” of that situation. Even if you can’t take action on it right away, having a plan will help you feel more in control, more calm.

Give it a go when you feel overwhelmed and see how much better you can feel!