Spotlight on: Thanksgiving

Rexanne's Web Review
Web Sites & Insights

Issue # 104 - December 1, 2006

Brought to You By: Rexanne.com

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Welcome all newcomers and faithful readers!

Are you all prepared for the big holiday? Yikes ... Christmas is upon us once again, with all the decorations, excitement and fun of the season. I love Christmas even though it makes me crazy. :-) Enjoy the holidays everyone. Know that the little ones are flipped beyond comprehension anticipating Santa Claus and the orgy of gifts that awaits. I hope you all get a little excited too ... being among family, good friends and those we love the most is a very special time. Cherish every moment!

I wish everyone the very best Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza or whatever you're celebrating ...

As we say good-bye to 2006, remember the good things and events that made it special and leave any sadness behind.

If I could hug you all, I would, so consider yourselves hugged. :-)

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Reader's Comments:


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Andrea wrote:

"Thank you for your newsletter and wonderful web site and especially for reminding me to be grateful! It put me in a positive frame of mind for Thanksgiving. Instead of complaining to my husband about having to cook, I felt good about being able to!"

And therein lies the solution, Andrea. :-) I'm so happy you had a good holiday and that your heart was in a good place!

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Connie wrote:

"The thanksgiving place card holders you linked as the freebie of the month were a big hit with my family. My kids spent half the morning cutting them out and decorating them and they were really cute on the table."

It's always my pleasure to pass on good things I find, Connie. Happy to know you liked them. I love them, too!

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OK, here's the scoop:

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Quote of the Month: When you get to be a certain age, you come to realize that the real Santa Claus is not the guy who comes down the chimney on Christmas Eve. The real spirit of Santa becomes what you can give rather than what you get. The magic comes from you when Santa lives in your heart. - Patty Hansen

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Supporting the sponsors and advertisers in Rexanne's Web Review keeps this newsletter alive and a portion of revenue is donated to various charities and each advertiser has Rexanne's Seal of Approval. Please visit them today.

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This Month's Web Review Sponsored By: Uncommon Goods

There's still time to order great holiday gifts online from Uncommon Goods! Find something perfect for everyone left on your list and a few additional goodies for those extra special ones you love the most:

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Parenting & Family Topic of the Month: The Magic of Giving

Last year, I filled this space with my thoughts about the magic of Santa Claus. This year, let's take it a step farther and consider the magic of giving in general, without hiding behind the image of Santa.

While giving can be rewarding, the great reward is being able to give. We don't have to be wealthy to offer a token of appreciation to those who have served us throughout the year, to visit an elderly relative who can't get around easily on his/her own or to unceremoniously offer a dollar or even ten dollars to a homeless person you happen to encounter. Relish the feeling of generosity and appreciate that you are in a position to give of either your resources or time, knowing that what you give can mean so much to someone or even a group of people.

The holidays tend to make everyone feel this spirit of generosity to a stronger degree. Holding this feeling of generosity in your heart year round will do wonders for your life and your attitude. A generous spirit is a beautiful spirit and giving of yourself or your resources freely just feels good.

Being generous with our children can take many forms. Some parents indulge their kids with pricey gifts and possessions; others fill their child's heart with the
gift of attention and time, while still others can be generous with hugs, kisses and love. I believe these are all equally valid as demonstrations of affection. If parents are working 24/7 to create wealth for their family, gifts of possessions can be a type of replacement for the gift of their time or attention but the gift of hugs, kisses and love is always appropriate and so very necessary. If our children know they are loved, honored and respected, we will be giving them the vital gift of support and a sense of feeling loved and lovable. They will feel worthy of the love of others and believe they deserve to be respected and loved. What greater gift could we offer our children than a strong foundation of love which will support their hearts throughout their lives and offer a pillar of strength to sustain their souls? Presents are cool ... a coveted new toy or wardrobe is great ... love and hugs are just as great, as is being available in body, spirit and mind for our kids.

I don't think we can support our children enough in this world. No matter how old they or we become, I believe our obligation to them will always be to honor who they are, no matter what they do or become and to love them with all our hearts so they know how important and worthwhile they are to us and to the world. With a foundation of love and respect, children will have the most important structure for coping with all they will encounter and they will have the tools to endure and be secure in their ability to give back to others with generous hearts.

Join the discussion on our community message boards: "What Do We Give Our Children?"


Know of a good parenting or family site your fellow readers might enjoy or do you have a topic you'd like to see covered in this section? Please send your ideas in for possible publication in an upcoming issue.  Parenting Site

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Food & Cooking Site of the Month: Carol's Christmas Cookbook

Wow ... Carol has it all going on ... beautifully categorized holiday recipes, from appetizers to candy. You're sure to find inspiration at Carol's!

Bon Appetit!

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Advertisement: Rexanne's Christmas Mall

Last minute shoppers, this is it! Time to get it done or forever beat yourselves up over not having the perfect gift for the special people in your life. My Christmas gift guides will help you find a great present for everyone on your list.

Shopping and placing your orders the first few weeks of December will ensure your gifts arrive on time, either to yourself or to those you're sending gifts to this year:

As always, if you have an irresolvable issue with any merchant found on my site, I can help you resolve it usually much easier than not and I absolutely want to know if you are not completely satisfied with any online transaction made through my pages.

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Kid's Site of the Month: Christmas for Kids

This is the big Christmas fun page for the kids ... crafts, coloring, activities, games, links and lots more. Give the kids a shot at the computer after you've burned through your online holiday shopping. :-)

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Freebie of the Month: Christmas Stencils

Print, cut out and use these terrific stencils for window decorations, custom wrapping paper, with powdered sugar as cake toppers, crafts, etc.

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Advertisement: Letters From Santa

Little children are thrilled when they receive a personalized letter from Santa Claus. These beautifully written and decorated letters are created for each child, with their names, locations and names of friends and siblings to make the experience so real and magical. Letters bring the anticipation of Santa's visit to a child with a special message of joy and delight for the season. Make a child's eyes and heart light up with a personalized  letter from Santa today.


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Tip or Trick of the Month: Salt Kills Flames

This is a good one to remember ... Never use water to kill grease fires as it will splatter the hot grease. A good amount of regular table salt instantly smothers stove top or oven grease flames. I keep a container of salt by the stove for just such emergencies.

Have a tip or trick your fellow readers would enjoy or could use? Please send it in for possible publication in one of the next issues: Tips

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Time Waster of the Month: The New 7 Wonders of the World
(Because life is supposed to be fun!)

You can help choose the new seven wonders of the world on this site. Vote for the structure you feel is the most awe inspiring and watch history being made as we, the people, decide what the most amazing wonders in the world are today.

Feed the kids first ...

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Featured Site of the Month: An Amazing Father

Rexanna sent this OMG breathtaking site and warned me to have tissues handy before I clicked ... good thing because I cried rivers! This is the story and a video of the great love and giving of a father who made such a huge difference in his disabled son's life and at the same time, touched the lives of so many others with his dedication and passion. Thank you Rexanna - this is truly something to see.
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Advertisement: Rexanne's Party Store

All things party - decorations, table ware, party supplies for any type of party or celebration you're giving. Holiday party specials, party favors and more.

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