Relationship
…Tips for Christmas activities
THE holidays are upon us and in between wrapping presents and singing holiday songs, you will want to throw some fun Christmas activities into the mix.
These are a great way to not only pass the time but bring family and friends together in an exciting way.
Whether you are looking to decorate houses or play holiday charades, there are fun Christmas activities that everyone will enjoy no matter how young or old. Here are some tips:
1. Go on a holiday lights scavenger hunt
Going to look at lights on other people’s homes is a fun Christmas activity for all ages. Grab the family, get some cups of hot chocolate and make your way to the neighborhoods that go all out for the holidays and stroll around. Make sure to bring your camera to capture the houses that make your jaw drop so you can post them on social media to show your friends.
2. Enjoy a hot chocolate bar
For those with a sweet tooth, a hot chocolate bar is a must-do activity during the holiday season. Get your favorite hot chocolate from Swiss Miss or Williams-Sonoma alongside your favorite mug and enjoy! Don’t forget the marshmallows and decorative festive sprinkles for more festive fun.
3. Make a holiday time capsule
Time capsules are a great way to reflect on the year that’s gone by and cherish items to be opened in the following year. You can either place a special item inside or write down a prediction for next year and when it rolls around you can see if it has come to fruition.
4. Create a holiday playlist
You may already have some Christmas carols on repeat for the holidays, however, you can spend some time creating festive playlists for family dinners and holiday parties. You can even come up with one for the kids, adults and the entire clan. Kids will love getting to pick what songs to add from their favorite artists too.
5. Recreate a cherished recipe
Some recipes are handed down from generation to generation, and while the people who wrote them may be gone, their memories live on. Food brings people together, and that’s truly a reason to celebrate the holiday season.
6. Host a gift swap
Host a gift exchange with friends or coworkers. Put a price limit on the gifts, or set another theme: All the gifts have to be something funny, something from a thrift store, only food items, etc.
7. Do a good deed
Christmas is a good time to be thankful for your blessings and help those who are less fortunate. It can be as simple as giving a genuine compliment or more involved like a full day of volunteering at the soup kitchen. Either way, it will bring more joy into the world and make you feel good, too.
8. Sing Christmas karaoke
You already know all the words to your favorite Christmas songs, so why not belt them out? You can even turn it into a game, where singers have to skip certain words like Santa or tree. If they mess up, they are out.
9. Gift a teacher or other cherished friend
Is there somebody who does a lot for you who you don’t typically buy a present for? Try getting them a heartfelt gift to show your gratitude, or even hand make them something. There’s no better way to show your appreciation.
10. Attend a Christmas service
Even if your family does not usually attend church services, Christmas is a great opportunity to put on your Sunday finery and visit a nearby place of worship. It will also help everyone remember the reason for the season.
Source: goodhousekeeping.com
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A good relationship with your boss is critical for job success and career development. Supervisors have a great influence on your stress level, your team and company culture, and ultimately, whether you succeed or fail in a role.
They are also your best resource for support, problem-solving, and personal development. Building a strong relationship with them can be transformative for your work experience and professional growth, but navigating this connection can be complex.
Here are the remainder of some key values and characteristics that will help you along the way.
Be an excellent communicator
Establishing clear communication with a manager is absolutely critical to learning to work together. Everyone has preferred methods, styles, and frequency of communication, and it will benefit you to learn your boss’s preferences. Some people want minimal, direct communication, while others prefer detailed and frequent updates about projects. By catering to your supervisor’s unique communication style, you demonstrate thoughtful awareness and respect.
Additionally, be sure to clearly communicate difficulties before they pile up. Avoid unwanted surprises by giving your boss a heads-up about mistakes and confusion. Challenges and errors are a natural part of working on any team, so don’t feel the need to hide from that reality. Good communication around negative experiences will go a long way toward building trust.
Ask for advice and feedback
Your boss is your best resource. Be sure to understand what issues are worth getting their input on, to avoid running to them with every pain point every day. Asking for their opinion shows you value their expertise and goes a long way to developing a cooperative approach to strategy, process, and decision-making.
Asking for feedback is equally valuable. Many people are intimidated to ask for feedback, but also frustrated by a lack of attention and acknowledgment. Requesting feedback shows initiative and an interest in improving your performance.
Lastly, consider asking for coaching or mentorship. Managers are in a prime position to support your career development and are often enthusiastic about contributing in this way.
Marriage is meant to be a sanctuary — a place where two people feel safe, seen, and supported. But what happens when the person who promised “forever” slowly becomes the source of your deepest emotional wounds?
As a marriage counsellor and mental health professional in Accra, I sit with men who whisper, “I feel invisible in my own home,” or “I’m constantly blamed for things I didn’t do.” Often, these men are not describing a “difficult wife.” They are describing years of living with narcissistic patterns — patterns that don’t bruise the skin, but shatter the soul.
Let me be clear: Narcissism exists on a spectrum. Confidence is healthy. Pride is human. But narcissistic personality traits become destructive when they are consistent, rigid, and designed to control, manipulate, or diminish the other partner. Research from the American Psychological Association shows that emotional abuse from narcissistic partners can cause anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and even trauma symptoms similar to PTSD.
This article is not about demonising women. It is about naming pain so healing can begin. If you see yourself in these 7 red flags, know this: You are not weak, you are not crazy, and you are not alone.
