The First 5 Holiday Tips and Traditions

As many of you have probably noticed, the holiday tips are back again for 2012, and our hopes this year was to make them better than ever!

In an effort to bring you new tips, traditions, and advice we reached out to some of the best people we know; we reached out to all of our coalition members.  The tips and traditions that we have been sharing, and will continue to share with you right through the New Year are coming directly from the people who work hard to make DanversCARES what it is.

Did you know that the DanversCARES coalition has over 30 active members who not only regularly attend coalition meetings, but are actively working in the community to educate our youth, keep our community safe, healthy, and thriving today and for generations to come?

Here is where you come in…

First, we hope that you enjoy the holiday tips and traditions, and they bring you and your family some fun and thoughtful new ideas this holiday season.

Second, we want to know what you and your family do during the holiday season! You can be a part of our holiday tips project in any way that works for you!

1)     Leave your holiday tip or tradition as a comment to this post.

2)     Visit our Facebook page, and post your tip or tradition to our wall.

3)     Tweet us your favorite holiday tip or tradition in 140 characters or less.

4)     Email us your holiday tip or tradition to jasonverhoosky@danvers.org

5)     Make a video, sing a song, take a picture or any other form of media of you celebrating one of your favorite holiday traditions and send it along as well.

 

We want your help in keeping Danvers safe, healthy, and festive this holiday season, and for the future!
Thanks,

 

Jason

Holiday Tips Volume #1

Okay…we know its only Wednesday, but tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and we here at DanversCARES fully intend on relaxing with friends and family on Friday, and maybe even taking advantage of some Black Friday shopping deals.

So as promised here is the first recap of our Holiday Tips, with a little bit of extended thoughts and insight around staying safe this holiday season.

1) Holiday Tip #1: During the holiday season, always make sure to have plenty of non-alcoholic drinks available to your guests.

It is always good to have options, and to give your guests the ability to have a drink without alcohol. With holiday parties coming up any day, we all begin traveling more and more to see friends and family. During this festive time (and all other times as well), it is important to make healthy decisions around drinking, and drinking and driving.

2) Holiday Tip #2: Parents, talk with your children and set clear guidelines and expectations around drinking. You have more influence on your child then you might think.

It is shown that consistent expectations, clear boundaries, and regular conversation does set it, and makes a big difference. Even if you think your teen is ignoring you, tuning you out, and otherwise unwilling to listen…the message is still getting through. Make sure that you know your teens plans, they know your rules, and that everyone has a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season!

3) Holiday Tip #3: Always serve plenty of food at a party, when you plan on having alcohol available.

We are not against alcohol at DanversCARES, we just want you to make healthy and informed decisions. If you are going to serve alcohol at your holiday party (or any time) make sure that you offer your guests plenty of food and snacks. Eating before drinking helps your body process alcohol, and having food options at a party will often reduce the rate your guests will drink.

Have a safe, healthy and happy thanksgiving, and we will see you next week!