Blog — Christmas

It happens every year. No matter how much planning you do, something goes awry. The gift is delayed, the store didn’t have that one ingredient you need, the dog used the bathroom in the house or the kids somehow ruined that perfect Christmas outfit you picked out. 

What if the holidays didn’t have to be perfect? Hear me out. I know, I know, you’ve had the exact same traditions every year and who am I to suggest that every detail doesn’t have to be perfectly planned as usual. I would be a hypocrite myself if I didn’t say I do the same thing. Or did the same thing until now. If I have learned one thing over the last two years, it would be to step back and appreciate the opportunity to make new memories. Even if it means those memories are different than the ones we usually make. 

In a world that seems to have pressures from every angle. Don’t add more pressure to yourself during what is supposed to be the “Most wonderful time of the year”. I have come up with 4 ways to help you take some pressure off this week. Maybe you will even take a few of these tips into 2022!

Don’t Over Clean
I am not saying to have the world's dirtiest house that will make people question the food you cooked them. I am saying don’t worry if there's a few socks on the bedroom floor or toys out in your living room. Your home is lived in. If people are at your house to celebrate this week, they are most likely close friends and family. They appreciate that the little bit of toothpaste on the bathroom sink means you have fresh breath for them. Trust me, they get it.

Don’t Overspend
Your family does not need you to come up with the most expensive gift. Instead of buying your sister the new headphones that just came out, make her a gift or buy from a small local business. Has she been stressed lately? Make her a relaxing gift set with a candle, facemask, chapstick, a  journal and a card telling her how much she means to you. It might sound cliche, but she is going to appreciate the thoughtfulness. As we get older, we really do learn it is the thought that is put into the gift that counts.

Down Time

Make sure that you have a little time to yourself during the hectic holiday season. When I am feeling a little overwhelmed, I like to take a drive, grab my favorite drink, park my car in a parking lot and watch a show on my phone. Even if it is for 15 minutes, it gives me a second to stop moving and relax. 

Take the photo

It doesn’t matter if your hair is a mess, you don’t have make-up on and you’ve worn that shirt for more days than you want to admit. Take the photo. I can’t stress this enough. Looking back on photos will mean so much to your kids. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself to look picture perfect. They don’t care how you look, trust me. Phone cameras come with a timer so that everyone can be in the photo. I care so much I added a link HERE in case you don’t know how to set a timer on your camera. 

The holidays are a time to enjoy the company of your family and friends. Adding so much stress and pressure to the mix takes the fun out. I hope these few tips are able to help you take the pressure off the next few days and live in the moment. There are so many moments we miss when we rush through it all. We wish you and yours a Merry Christmas!

'Tis the season for gift giving. I personally love giving gifts! Picking out a thoughtful gift, wrapping it, and later watching someone open it is the best. We put together a guide with fun ideas for everyone on your list. A few of these businesses are local, but most of them are available to shop online, if you aren’t local. We've included some for the health conscious people in your life, as well as nontoxic products, and one of our favorite local clothing and jewelry shops.

Gift Card to Him & Her Boutique - Him & Her Boutique is a local boutique selling stylish and comfortable men and women’s clothing. Currently, you can shop the men’s boutique online and the women’s online shop will be launching soon.

Paper Luxe - What I love about Paper Luxe is all the unique gift options they offer. They also have curated gift bundles with so many cute options depending on how much you want to spend and who you’re buying it for.

Gift Card or Plants from Cultivator Coffee - Cultivator is a new local coffee and plant shop that we love. If you’re local, let’s send them some love and support. They sell coffee and plants, what’s not to love? Perfect for the plant and coffee lovers in your life. They are located at 1415 E Spring St, New Albany, IN. Click here to go to their Instagram.

Always Pan - This pan is a dream for anyone with a cluttered kitchen. It replaces eight pieces of traditional cookware, and the ceramic nonstick coating is free of PFOAs and PTFEs for nontoxic home cooking.

Toys from The Tot -  The Tot sells safe, quality toys and products tested by experts made with nontoxic materials that are child safe and responsibly made.

LARQ Water Bottle - The LARQ Bottle is the world's first self-cleaning water bottle and water purification system. It uses UV-C LED light to eliminate up to 99.9999% of bio-contaminants from your water and bottle.

The Elderberry Co. Holiday Gift Set - Our Holiday Gift Set is the perfect combo for a cold winter night. Our delicious caffeine-free Elderberry Wellness Tea matches well when paired with our Vanilla Infused Raw Honey. The Stainless Steel Steeper holds just the right amount and keeps the loose tea secure. 

Clean Makeup or Skincare from Sunfolk Shop - Sunfolk Shop sells high quality, clean, and beautiful products including makeup, skincare, candles, home goods and much more that are safe for everyone in your family. The products are handcrafted or sourced with botanicals and truly organic, natural ingredients.

Jewelry from True Bird Co. - True Bird Co. is a local woman owned business. They make pretty handmade necklaces and bracelets here in Louisville, Ky. The perfect gift for a mama or friend.

We hope this is helpful and that you’re able to buy of few of these great products for your loved ones this year! Let us know in the comments of an awesome company that you love to buy gifts from, that we didn’t mention above.

Are you a family who has had experience in the NICU? Whether you have or you have walked alongside a family in the NICU, you know that it can be a scary place to be, especially during months where sickness and germs are spreading easily. You desperately need to keep your friends and family healthy as you care for your little one, even in the days after you come home. For the past couple years, we have offered our Elderberry Syrup free to NICU families, as a simple way to support them during a difficult season. We have countless stories from our NICU customers about the courage, strength and miracles their families have experienced. It’s a blessing to hear the stories and to be a small part of it!

We are excited to announce that we are relaunching our NICU Family Program! This is a way that NICU families can receive our products FREE in the first year of their baby’s life. Here’s how you can participate:

1. Email us at info@theelderberryco.com with the subject “NICU Family Program”. In the email, tell us a little about your story, including your first name, last name, email, phone number and the date your baby was born.
2. We will send you a gift card for $100 to use throughout the first year of your baby’s life on any of our products in store or online at theelderberryco.com. You can choose from our best selling Elderberry Syrup, Elderberry Gummies, Wellness Tea and more! These products aren’t for baby, but can be used by your immediate family and friends to keep them healthy for lots of baby snuggles. 

Community is so important when you are going through a difficult season and while we may not be in your inner circles to walk with you through your NICU experience, we are blessed to be able to support you through Elderberry Syrup! The peace of mind it gives me as a mom in keeping my family healthy is why I started this small business and why we have our NICU Family Program. We hope it blesses you and your family!

Please share our NICU Family Program with anyone you know who could benefit from it! If you have any questions, please email us at info@theelderberryco.com.

Merry Christmas from The Elderberry Co Team!

“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” -Calvin Coolidge

Miles for Merry Miracles (M4MM) is a youth-led and youth-driven organization that partners with the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program and many other local organizations to provide gifts and food for Angel Tree children during the holiday season. After starting as an Eagle Scout project in 2008, M4MM has assisted in sponsoring over 2,000 Angels.

Being able to bless these young kids is a true gift! Knowing that we can help in what seems a small way to us, means something so much bigger for them. To be able to serve in someone’s life that may not be able to receive the everyday things they need, can make a heart so full. 

The mission of Miles of Merry Miracles is to improve and enhance the communities through youth development and wellness initiatives. This is their 14th year of helping out our community! The Elderberry Co. is very honored and excited to be a part of this wonderful organization this holiday season.

We have an Angel Tree right here in our shop, located downtown New Albany Indiana. 

We will have plenty of little angels on the tree. So to our locals, feel free to stop in starting on Friday, November 12th to get yours. All of the information will be provided on each angel which represents one child. This specific organization is asking for clothes and accessories only this season. The local Wal-mart has kindly set a specific day for anyone to come in and do their shopping for their child. 

That date is set for November 20th, which is Global Family Volunteer Day! 

The time to shop that day is 9am-6pm. 

If you are not local to us, feel free to check out any Wal-mart or Sam’s Club near you. They have an angel tree every year. You can also shop online for an angel https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/walmart-angel-tree/ Or donate directly to https://give-do.salvationarmy.org/give/372005/#!/donation/checkout

How are you and your family spreading joy this Holiday season? We would love to hear in the comments.