Giveaway: Signed Copy of Prudent Advice!


I’ve got a copy of Prudent Advice here with your name on it! Or the name of your daughter, or friend, or mom – it’s up to you.

Yes, that’s my baby daughter!  Isn’t she the cutest? Maybe she can sign it too.

To enter this giveaway, just leave a comment on this post with your best piece of holiday advice. Mine is for those of us who can’t be with our families on the holidays:

#213 Create a sense of family wherever you are.
Find people to love, and love them unconditionally.

But I still firmly believe in this, this, this piece of advice from Jacinda, and especially this. We are looking forward to your advice, whether it be about preparing a meal, buying gifts, the holiday spirit, or just staying sane.

Leave your comment anytime between now and midnight next Tuesday, December 21st. Tweet, stumble, or facebook the giveaway and leave us another comment letting us know each time for an additional entry. Become a fan of Prudent Advice on Facebook here and leave a comment letting us know for another entry. Come back every day for new entries. I will send the book anywhere in the world so international readers, this one is for you too! We will select a winner via random.org and announce next week here on PB.

XOXO!

by

152 Comments

Amanda

Remember that it is all about love, and not "stuff." Make sure your children know this too, not just by words, but by deeds. =)

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Cherish

In the whirlwind of busy holiday shoppers, finishing up last minute gifts, remember to stop and "count it all joy" (JAMES 1:2). Count your family, your friends and all loved ones as joy.

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Olivia

Don't stress so much! Slow down and enjoy the season. Take the time to ride around looking at Christmas lights, sit by a bonfire with a mug of hot chocolate talking, watch your favorite holiday movies under huge comforters and mountains of pillows! The memories are what last and what truly matter. Not the "stuff".

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Janel

In the midst of dealing with the holiday traffic, shoppers and also buying the last minute gift, remember to "count it all joy" (JAMES 1:2). Count your family, friends and loved ones as joy.

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Meg

Enjoy the little things, don't let the chaos of the holidays get in the way of what really matters and what Christmas is all about!

Meg

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:Brittany:

Even if you don't have the money to get those expensive gifts. The homemade ones are from the heart. They mean more than anything to the person you are giving them to.

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Kelly

We make a paper chain counting down to Christmas. Inside each link is a Christmasy activity for the whole family. Makes me stop and spend QT with my girls each day during this busy time of year.

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Ashley L

Don't make it all about the gifts. Make the holidays about spending time with the people you love, family and friends. And make sure you make it clear to your children it isn't about the gifts.

ashleypelaski at gmail d0t com

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Alex

Don't gift something from your house without making sure to rid all of the "this is an old ______ that I don't use" evidence. I received a charging station from my uncle and discovered anvils check book of his when opening one of the drawers!

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Andrea

Find a quiet place away from everyone where you can get away, if you need to, later. (No, this is NOT from experience why do you ask?!)

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Melafwife

We love watching Christmas movies on Christmas Eve after attending Mass. So much wisdom can be found by watching them: Leg Lamps and official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle guns do NOT make great gifts, always check the tree for squirrels and have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny Kaye.

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Luch

Exercise regularly…not just to stay fit but for mental health. (I find as a mom, the days/weeks when I don't exercise are by far the most frustrating/crazy and mentally chaotic.)

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Emily

I'd love to have your daughter's autograph. 🙂 My best piece of advice is to take time to enjoy the season. It's so easy to get way too busy and too overcommited.

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Jessica Lynn

My advice would be to relax and enjoy.

Last Christmas was my husband's and my first Christmas as a married couple and we also had our son a month before Christmas, so it was a first and very important Christmas for all of us! Due to some medical issues that came up I was in the hospital on Christmas.. I was really bummed about it because I wanted to start traditions. But looking back now, it's just part of our story and it makes me smile =)

So don't let the unexpected ruin your Christmas spirit =)

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Em

Start your own holiday traditions, as well as honouring the ones you grew up with.

Oh, and if you want to make all your Christmas gifts, start in July.

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Steph

Enjoy every minute of the season. Watch the Christmas movies, listen to Christmas songs, and eat Christmas foods. It only comes around once a year.

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Kate

It's easy to get caught up in spending money, and trying to buy the biggest best present you can. Don't lose sight of what Christmas is really all about, whether you are Christian or not. It's about family and love, and no amount of spending will ever equal a genuine, heartfelt gift and a specially cooked meal shared with your loved ones.

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Vanessa Cochran

Yes, try to enjoy the holidays, but it's OK to feel sad, too. Sometimes this time of year is hard, especially if you've lost someone. Don't feel compelled to be cheery ALL the time. Relish your tears, then bake some cookies.

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MD

Plan something for a day or two after the holidays. Just a little something to look forward to. A play date, a real date (gosh can you imagine?), a drink with a friend. After the build-up and business of the Christmas season, sometimes I develop a bit of post-Christmas pout after the big day. It's great to have something else fun to look forward to to bring me out of the funk. Oh, and "Joy to the World" by Mariah Carey is energizing, seasonal and will absolutely help if you're starting to feel a bit overwhelmed!

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Krista Vossler

When in doubt, go with a handmade gift. Not only is it usually more cost effective, it is without a doubt a labour of love. (My labours of love are made with blood, sweat and tears as I'm a beginner seamstress!)

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Amanda

Simplicity and gratefulness are key to truly having a blessed Christmas. Charlie Brown had it right…commericalism ruins the meaning of Christmas. Family and love and being together are all we need…

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April

my parents divorced when i was 23 so there were many 'traditions' that i couldn't bare continue with because of the heart break. But the one thing that my family did do often was travel particularly during Christmas.

So now that I'm married my husband and I travel somewhere in the world during the christmas holiday so i feel that we are continuing a 'family tradition'. We meet so many great people and create so many lasting memories that is fills our void of family during that time. We don't have children yet but I plan to continue this 'tradition' with them so that one day when I'm not with them they will not be sad during the holidays thinking about "mom used to do this …" because they will hopefully continue traveling and meeting new people and seeing the world!

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Melissa

I had a miscarriage 5 days ago at 9 weeks pregnant. I would say to create a sense of family with whomever is around you. Try not to waste this holiday season living in a "what if" world. Treasure everything you have in this moment that you have it. There are no guarentees for tomorrow…so truly hold dear what you have today.

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Cath

Love, Laugh, Give and Forgive.
Love someone who feels dispare.
Laugh a belly laugh, it is contagious.
Give of yourself in some way everyday.
Forgive others and yourself it is very healing.

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Mouse

You can try your hardest to create magical christmas traditions but in the end they will probably remember the silly things you didn't even realize you did.

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Marci

I work in retail and my most prudent piece of advice for this time of year (or anytime of year for that matter) is to treat people the way you want to be treated. Have patience, kindness, consideration and forgiveness at the top of your list.

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TMCPhoto

The best gifts are those that are either made by your hand or by someone else. Anyone can hit the big box store and get the same old gizmo and doodad that are being sold by the 100s. Making a gift or choosing a handmade gift with your loved one in mind has that much more meaning.

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Tiffany

My word of advise would be . . . be thankful for what you currently have, because it can be gone quicker than you received it. And always treat others better than you want to be treated.

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other-option

Set aside your differences for the holidays. There will come a day where they will seem petty and you will realize all the time you wasted.
– Danielle
other-option AT hotmail DOT com

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Lori and Dave

burn a great smelling candle to help fill your home with joy. even if your candle smells like the beach and not like a pine tree, your home will make you smile because it has brought you joy.

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charlotte h.

take the time to ENJOY being with your family on christmas eve/day… we tend to get so caught up in everything we have to do that we forget the importance of just being with the ones we love.

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Amy Kirchhoff

Taking the handmade Christmas gift pledge doesn't mean YOU have to be the one handmaking them. I found a loophole when I realized I was over my head and bought a few off of Etsy. Don't judge. 😛

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Shirley

I always remind my children (and hopefully it will sink in someday) that gifts we receive aren't what make us the happiest – what makes us the happiest are the gifts we give.

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Cody and Lindsay

Spend your money on creating memories and moments. The stuff breaks, goes out of style, and loses value. We forget who it is from and why we wanted it. Memories patina and grow more valuable with age. They can also be shared, and are enjoyed not only by those who were in the moment, but by those with whom the moment is shared through countless retellings.

Also, make homemade marshmallows at least once a season. They are worth it!

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Juliana

Experience something new with your family!

Everyone in the family takes turn each year to do the thing he/she want to do and do it together.

Make this a family tradition to spend family time together. It’s also something for everybody in the family to look forward to each year.

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Jmom

I don't know if my advice will be earth shattering but if you are traveling, don't put on the bows/ribbons until you get where you are going. Especially with a child who needs a pack and play and stroller, etc., you need all the room you can get in your trunk!

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Amanda

It's taken me 5 years but this year my son will just be getting a few gifts (7-8). Every year I would load up on Christmas gifts buying things that I thought were cool and hoped he would play with but really knew…chances are they would be thrown in the closet. Christmas isn't about making sure you have lots of gifts to open!!

Amanda
amandaandandy@yahoo.com

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Amanda

With the birth of our first daughter this past July, my husband and I are excited to begin building family traditions that our children will remember, we hope, with fondness and love in years to come. I glow with joy at making Christmas meaningful and full of the message of God's love for us; I'm so grateful to be a mommy and a wife.

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Heidi

If you don't finish everything on your to do list, it is okay, just stop and spend time with your loved ones, that is what you are going to remember

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Crafter's Refinery

Really enjoy the time that you've been given. REALLY…stop and smell the flowers. It's easy to get caught up in the typical family drama and gossip without appreciating the fact that (HEY) at least you've got Aunt Helen's ghetto wig to gossip about.

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Mary

Enjoy the Holidays! Have fun buying or making presents for the people you love, admire the pretty decorations, listen to fun holiday music, eat lots of yummy food and most importantly don't let yourself get stressed!

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eireann

Crafting holiday gifts is the best way to de-stress during the holidays and a great money-saver. Come to think of it, that's good advice for the rest of the year too. 🙂

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Ashley

Make traditions as a couple pre-babies that can be your special "adult" traditions. My husband and I crack a bottle of champagne (sparkling wine this year with the little one on the way) and make an event out of tree decorating.

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courtney

start shopping in july so you can be crafty in november and december.

if i win, will you trace scarlet's hand on the inside, too? 🙂

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SweDaisy

My advice is forget all the pressure of the gifts and decor and embrace the expressions on your kids faces. The joy and excitement is wonderful and warms the heart.

Take care,
Lisa

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Amanda

Take a moment each day during the season to find something new to cherish. Last year was our first Christmas together as a married couple, and we spent our Christmas Eve snuggled on the couch, wrapped in fluffy blankets, watching a Christmas movie. It was my favorite memory of the season.

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Karin

Enjoy Christmas music with your family and friends. If you can't play instruments or sing, at least listen some great Christmas music. It's the soundtrack to your memories!

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Karen

Remember for those of us who want a "perfect" Christmas there is no such thing and to just relax and enjoy your holiday!!

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Meadowlark

Lower the bar. That's the best advice I can offer. Don't let friends and family expect "perfect". Let them expect "good enough" and if you luck into perfect, great. If not, no problem, the bar was set fairly low.

Besides, people who set the bar really high make it hard for the rest of us "normal" people.

Happy Holidays

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Mindee

to quote Christmas Vacation (a must watch movie of the season along with Elf): "i dont' know what to tell you, Aubrey. It's Christmas and we are all miserable!"

but seriously, its family. they will drive you nuts, make you cry, make you laugh, and be there for you whenever you need them. Cherish them. And go for a walk when that feeling fades and hopefully that helps 🙂 Nothing will ever go as planned, so be OK with that, too.

And cookies. lots and lots of cookies to eat 🙂 (and maybe wine, too)

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Suzannah

My advice is to not only to be generous and loving during the holiday season, but to remember what Jesus Christ did for us every single day, and to try to be more like Him in every way, and to make sure we teach this to our children. 🙂

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Leah

Sleep in when you can and listen to and sing along with Christmas music. It'll do wonders for your approach to the holidays. 🙂

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Karen

Christmas shop throughout the year, instead of just in December. By the time Christmas rolls around, all that's left is the wrapping, baking and eggnog sipping.

One year, I will heed this advice 🙂

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Krista

My holiday advice: At some point, between the baking, shopping, wrapping and stress, lay down in the snow, forget about it all for a moment and make a killer snow angel.

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lag123

Take time to breathe and enjoy each magical moment. No matter where you are, or what you are doing, each moment is special.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

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Amanda

If the mess brings stress, skip the mess and don't feel guilty if you buy cakes, pies, or dinners already made…if you love baking and cooking, go for it…if it's just too much, your family will still love you if you buy foods from the store. Promise. 🙂 It's more important to love the time you spend with your family, not cleaning all the time.

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Adrienne

The best advise I can give…don't get wrapped up in the details of the holidays. Your guests (unless they are my mother, haha) won't notice if you bleach every counter in your kitchen, or if every corner was swabbed for webs. Also, for those young parents out there…your child is likely not to remember every toy or gift they got on the Christmas that they were 6…yet, they will remember the time you donned on matching aprons and made some perfect or sometimes not so perfect Christmas cookies, forgetting the growing mound of laundry in the laundry room and grabbed a sled on the first snow day of the year, making hot cocoa and reading your favorite Christmas story (or snuggling up to watch a classic Christmas movie)…they'll remember the times you spent much longer than they'll remember what was wrapped under the tree!

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practicalpeaces

Embrace the season and everything that goes with it – the stress, the family occasions, the expensive photos with Santa, the mess, the last minute shopping, the raw cookie dough, the late night projects, the looks on your children's faces on Christmas morning, the traditions, and the memories. You can sleep in January.

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AngelaS

If you are a last minute crafter and can't quite finish, then make pretty 'IOU' cards with or without a hint. I think I'm in favor of New Year's presents this year! 🙂

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Stacy

Enjoy the simple things that go along with the holiday season: Snuggle by the fire with the ones you love. Eat LOTS of sweets and don't worry about the excess calories. Watch the snow fall from the window while snuggled up in a blanket. Write next to the beautifully lit Christmas tree. Share your favorite Christmas songs with friends and family.

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practicalpeaces

Your attitude affects your children's perception of events. If you're stressed or grouchy, then they will be, too. If you relax and enjoy the holidays, and laugh when things go wrong, then everyone will have fun.

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Amanda

Take an example from the classics: "It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?" Enjoy the love, this season!

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christina

My advice to my children: The holidays are a time for family, love, and keeping up tradition. When possible take the day off, stay home with your family, and instead of stressing out about shopping, prepping, and decorating; enjoy the people who love you the most. They won't be around forever, but, if you are lucky, their impact on you and future generations will be. Happy Holidays!

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Heather at That Little Boutique

It is never to late to make up for mistakes. The holidays are the perfect time to remember that. I try to do something extra special for a person whom I didn't give the best of myself to throughout the year. I don't necessarily buy something. More often I try to make something that would really mean something to them alone and enclose a note about friendship, God, and the reason for the season!

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Katie

My best advice for this time of year is to Relax and try to remember what is really important in life. Love your blog…so happy I stumbled upon it awhile back. It inspires me!

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Amanda

Find a moment to hug everyone in your family that you see this Christmas. Make a moment for everyone, just you and them, and let them know how special they are. That's such a special gift. 🙂 Merry Christmas everyone!

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megan

My mom, who is the saintliest person ever gave me this advice when I was a sophomore in high school, "Get involved in something and you will have more fun"

I have stuck with that advice ever since and it is so true. You can't depend on other people to involve you and it certainly isn't fun watching others have fun from afar. In high school I joined student council. As an adult and mother I make sure to introduce myself to new people at church, attend weekly play groups, compliment everyone I see.

Getting involved gives you a feeling of self worth and accomplishment. I will be forever grateful to my mother who is so wise

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lanamledin

This is my first time on this site, and I feel alive again. I have been on disability for 9 to 10 years and X-mas has been up because we learned family is the most important thing. This year I have been feeling better, therefore x-mas is going to be the best in a long time. I know I shouldn't feel this way, cause it's not about the gift but when you haven't been able to get your kids gifts for years, It feel damn goooooood to make gifts and be able the decorate again. X-mas has always been about birthdays in our house, the birth of Christ and one of my boys. Yes god let me have one on this day. Anyway when I wish good health and happy family, I REALLY MEAN IT. So best wishes to you and yours. Happy Holidays
Lana

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PaperBella

The best holiday advice I've ever gotten was from my aunt Lori. She said, Isabella when you grow up NEVER volunteer to cook the turkey. lol She was a very smart lady. 😉 Happy Holidays!

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Jessica

Be the family for those around you who may not have one! This simple gesture can make all the difference in someone's holiday.

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