I was five years old the first time it happened. I remember exactly what I was wearing: it was a pretty yellow swiss-dot dress. I was at Sunday School at our new church in our new town. I was supposed to be doing a craft, something with cotton balls and gluing them onto a paperContinue reading “Redirecting Self-Destructive Social Anxiety”
Tag Archives: Gifts
The Ideal Life Round-Up: Parenting
Here we were, 5:00 on Christmas morning, and I was almost 100% sure I knew how this was going to go down. I knew for a fact that my boys would see all the bounty under the tree, and that even before they would start opening their presents, that my eldest would cry about somethingContinue reading “The Ideal Life Round-Up: Parenting”
Thankfulness Week, Day Two: Unexpected Outcomes
“Hey now, Lil!” you might be saying. “I thought you hated surprises! What is this about being thankful for the unexpected?” I know, I know. But where would the fun be if there wasn’t a little contradiction now and then to keep life interesting? But let me explain: Anticipation is fantastic. I swear by anticipation.Continue reading “Thankfulness Week, Day Two: Unexpected Outcomes”
Furoshiki and me
In my attempts to do something a little bit differently and a little bit more sustainably this year, I have decided to try my hand at furoshiki, that is, the Japanese art of wrapping gifts in reusable or recycled textile wrappings. My interest in the subject was sparked by Marie Kondo, who last year hadContinue reading “Furoshiki and me”
The Sticky Issues of Gift Giving: Staying Emotionally Detached
This is, mercifully for you, going to be my last word on the sticky issues of Gift Giving. (Ah, never fear: the promised furoshiki crafting episode is to follow. I would never leave you hanging like that!) My last word is this: sometimes, there is simply no way to please someone. Sometimes, no matter howContinue reading “The Sticky Issues of Gift Giving: Staying Emotionally Detached”
The Sticky Issues of Gift Giving Part Two: Wrapping
My favorite part about Christmas Do you know what my favorite part of Christmas is? Wrapping gifts. There, I said it. Your opinion of me, over the last 330 articles has been forged through subtle hints at my insanity. Now, I have come out and admitted it: I am verifiably nuts. That’s right, my favoriteContinue reading “The Sticky Issues of Gift Giving Part Two: Wrapping”
The Sticky Issues of Gift Giving Part One: Cash and Gift Cards
Salary negotiations, calculating who owes what on a group check at a restaurant, paying a babysitter, price haggling. If you are anything like me–and if you have found Lily Fields Challenge, it’s probably because you are!–you do not love talking about money either. It’s a horribly uncomfortable topic, and I really wish I could putContinue reading “The Sticky Issues of Gift Giving Part One: Cash and Gift Cards”
The Gift-Receiver Templates Part Four: Surprise or Anticipation
This template is less about the gift itself as it is about how the receiver perceives the importance of knowing. Some people love to percolate in the mystery and magic of wondering what is going to be under the tree. These people are the ones who will not try, even once they have a giftContinue reading “The Gift-Receiver Templates Part Four: Surprise or Anticipation”
The Gift-Receiver Templates Part Three: Sentimental and Practical
While these may seem like obvious distinctions, I still want us to do the exercise of thinking about the experience the sentimental and practical people on our lists most enjoy. Remember, we are wanting to become students of the people we love, so we can better speak their love languages. By identifying their specific way–orContinue reading “The Gift-Receiver Templates Part Three: Sentimental and Practical”
The Gift-Receiver Templates Part Two: Quantity vs. Quality
I want you to imagine something for a second: You are ten years old. It’s Christmas morning. You tiptoe out of your room to check out what magic happened over night (even though you don’t really still believe in all that hocus-pocus, you are still hedging your bets.) In scenario one, there are dozens ofContinue reading “The Gift-Receiver Templates Part Two: Quantity vs. Quality”
Sing With Your Feet 