9 Ways to Make Thanksgiving Work

The holidays are stressful for some people. Follow these rules and there's a good chance you won't try to strangle anyone with a chicken bone.

1 - No Politics at the Table

Yes, I know, I'm right about everything. Spewing my Libertarian dogma is not only my right - it's also a service to those around me who are not so enlightened. However, I'll keep my mouth shut during Thanksgiving. Or I'll just keep it filled with pie.

Words of wisdom: no one ever said anything stupid while shoving pumpkin filling into their face.

2 - Calm Down

It's only a meal. We're getting together to eat food - it's not as if it's a meeting of the U.N. This should be a no pressure gig. Sit down, eat, and catch up with the loved ones. Simple, right? Don't make it hard.

3 - Don't Hurt Yourself in the Kitchen

Like I said - no pressure. You don't have to have those perfect DIY mashed potato sculptures shaped like Daleks you saw on Pinterest, and the Thanksgiving police won't show when people find out there's no gluten-free gravy. Chill out. Serve everyone sandwiches if you want - you're not a restaurant.

4 - Thank the Labor Force

If you're not making food (some of us aren't allowed in the kitchen), remember that those who volunteer to spend a few days cooking to provide for thirty minutes of eating deserve a medal. Treat them like it.

5 - Bury the Hatchet (in a Turkey)

You know that family member you don't get along with? (Maybe there are few of them.) When you see them, greet them with a hearty handshake and talk like the two of you have never met. By Christmas, you'll have forgotten why you didn't like each other.

6 - Bring a Friend

One year, my roommate had nowhere to go for Thanksgiving; fortunately, my family didn't mind if he tagged along with me. It was fun having someone new who didn't know all of our stories, and he didn't have to spend the day alone. (Also, everyone will be on their best behavior for a guest.)

7 - Be Thankful

Life is rough, but remember that there's food on your table. Lots of us have very serious problems, but
let's take the time to notice what we have. When life gets tough, this helps. I've been unemployed, but I've never been without the love of a church community or my friends and family. That's not bad.

8 - Help Others.

If you're reading this, you're probably not homeless and you might know where your next meal is coming from. Not everyone is so lucky. Consider a donation to a local charity to help those in need.

When John the Baptist was asked how people should prepare for Jesus' coming, he said, "If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn’t have any. If you have food, share it with someone else."

As we prepare for the Christmas season let's look for ways to help those around us. Even a small donation of $5 is helpful to your community charities. I give something to this group each month.

9 - Make Others Thankful You Were There

Some people don't bring anything to the holidays besides their whining, and everyone else can't wait for them to leave. Don't be that person.

Tell your stories. Ask everyone how their year has gone. Bring games or movies. Think of something to add to the occasion. (It goes without saying that if you're bringing food you don't have to worry about this one.) A family is special because of the unique thing that everyone brings to the table.

That's it. Enjoy yourself and relax.

Help Those in Need

Last week, Typhoon Haiyan - possibly the largest cyclone ever recorded - devastated the Philippines. Thousands were killed and millions are homeless in the aftermath. Few events that take place in our lifetime will devastate so many people at once.

So it's time to help. World Vision has done all the work for us, we just need to make a donation. Click here to do your part.

It doesn't have to be expensive. A small amount is fine, because a lot of us giving a little will certainly add up. I know I can do without a few cups of coffee in the next week in order to get help to those in need.

A Simple, but Very Effective, Way to Help the Needy in Your Area - Right Now

It's getting colder, and everyone is telling me how charmed they are by the coolness in the air and the advent of Winter.  I enjoy the Fall, as well, but I always feel some responsibility toward others at this time of the year.  It's exciting to walk out in the cold when you know you can go inside to a fireplace and some warm food, but many of our neighbors do not have a home or anything warm, at all - that's where we come in.

I have jackets and warm shirts I never wear.  Or, maybe I don't wear them very often, in which case I can do without them.  I might lament the loss of that perfect gray flannel that I wear while watching football games and eating chili, but I'll survive.  There are people in my neighborhood who sleep in the cold each night and the clothes in my closet could help many of them get through another winter, so I'm just going to have to be happy with a few less warm clothes.

You might be the kind of person who has lots of clothes and can't imagine doing without all of them.  That's OK.  Give a bunch of the away, and then you'll have an excuse to go shopping.  See?  Everybody wins.  Do you have children's clothes that are too small for your kids?  Even better.  Yeah, you might need those clothes if you have more kids, but there are kids on the street who need those clothes, right now.  I am willing to bet that everyone reading this has got an extra jacket or sweater, and who are we to hoard what we have?  Let's share our abundance with our neighbors and make this a happy season for everyone - not just the privileged.

Please don't put this off.  It's an emergency for many people.

...John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."

Helping in Haiti

Since up to 500,000 people might be dead in the aftermath of the Earthquake in Haiti, it's time to ask ourselves what we can do - fortunately, it's easy for us to help.

I'm pretty sure my readers aren't rich, but we can all afford to give $10 to help out these people, and most of you can give plenty more than that.

My favorite charity is World Vision, and their homepage has a simple link that makes this a quick and friendly process. The Texas Baptists, renowned for their hands-on charity work, are taking up a collection as well, and you can donate to that here.

The Red Cross is already working on this problem, and you can help them out here.

These people need help, and if you donate $20 most of you won't even feel it in your finances. It's worth it, and even small donations make a big difference to these people.