December is finally here. Our snowbird friends have joined us for the winter, and we’re buckling in for various holiday celebrations and bracing ourselves for the continuance of dropping temperatures. You may have started planning out your month between finances, travel and managing the dwindling hours of sunlight in order to stay organized during the jolliest time of the year. You might also be wondering what would make a perfect gift for that one person (or people) that seem to be impossible to shop for.
Books as Gifts in December
If you’re anything like me, you try to think outside the box for holiday gifts. Whether it be uber personalized, funny, practical or something you know they would never buy for themselves, picking the right gift can be a challenge. One great idea is searching for a book to pique their interest. From adventure to suspense, or even educational, there’s a book of every genre and topic that is sure to be a terrific gift.
Lifestyles presents a book giving guide year-round, more or less. Kathy Megyeri’s monthly book reviews act as a great, in-depth guide to books for any reader. From her reviews earlier this year, including a review of Marjorie Merriweather Post’s life of philanthropy by Estella M. Chung, to even free books like, “The Nineteenth Amendment Centennial Cookbook: 100 Recipes for 100 Years,” featured just last month. Be sure to visit our website to view all of Kathy’s reviews thus far if you’re looking for gift ideas.
Creating Your Legacy
Among the joyful and comforting holidays held in December is New Year’s. Not only is New Year’s the birth of a new year (go figure, huh?), but it also allows us to view our lives with a critical eye. Many folks start thinking about their resolutions for this universal fresh start. Although there are always the classics such as losing weight, exercising more frequently or eating healthier, some folks begin their planning of creating a legacy to leave behind.
“Creating a legacy” may sound intimidating, but really it translates to, “What will people remember of me after I’m gone?” This might send some of us spiraling as we believe that we haven’t done enough to give back or make a name for themselves, but really, there’s no right or wrong answer to this question.
Leaving your own legacy behind can be as simple as volunteering at your local animal shelter, food pantry Christmas drive or getting involved with the planning of a local event. It can also mean donating or leaving behind a sum of money to an organization or cause of your choice. You don’t have to be a millionaire or Mother Teresa in order to create your own legacy, get involved and give back any way you feel most comfortable. To learn more, read Leslie Megyeri’s piece in this issue on tips and ideas about leaving behind a legacy.
So, enjoy this festive month with family and friends to make the most of the final weeks of 2020.
Have a fantastic holiday and a happy New Year!
