Help take down decorations

Organize friends to take down the outdoor holiday decorations, as well as the indoor. Keep in mind that particularly with indoor decorations, a little light dusting might be helpful, as the 'regular' things need to be put back in place.

January is National Hobby Month

If your friend has a hobby, engage him or her in a conversation about the hobby.  Or offer to pick up supplies if your friend might want to spend some time on the hobby while recuperating.  

Jaunary is National Soup Month

If a fundraiser would be helpful to your friend, a soup supper would be perfect this month. Provide three different soups, some warm bread, fresh fruit, salad and dessert. Even if you don't do a fundraiser, your friend's family will enjoy a nice selection of soups this month.

January is Hot Tea Month

This is the perfect month to gather girlfriends for a tea party. Keep it simple with light cookies and tea. Use fancy plates and cloth napkins! Set an ending time so everyone knows not to wear out the guest of honor.

Letter Box
Your friend will treasure letters written from friends.  Borrow this idea that was recently shared on Oprah: Ask all friends to write a letter with a theme (Why your friendship is a treasure for me, What I admire most about you, etc.)   Collect all the letters and place them in a special box.  What a lovely gift.

This lovely memory box will hold all the letters nicely.

Home Maintenance Ideas

Gutters!

In climates where the leaves have fallen from trees, house gutters probably need to be cleaned. Enlist someone from your friend's WhatFriendsDo.com team to clean the gutters, or gather money to pay someone to clean the gutters.

Winterizing

In colder climates, friends may need help with putting storm windows in, changing furnace filters, cleaning out the garge. These are tasks friends can usually help with - organize your team to put your friend's mind at ease as winter approaches.

When it snows

When you use your snowblower, go next door and clear your neighbor’s sidewalks/driveway, too.

Build a snowman – if you live in a climate wheresnow falls, bundle up and build a snowman in your friend’s front yard.  What a fun treat for everyone!

Remember the caregivers!!

Doctor appointments, chemotherapy and radiation treatments do not stop during the holidays.  Caregivers also may appreciate having a friend’s help for these appointments in order to free some time for their own holiday preparations.

For Friends Grieving

Begin new and meaningful traditions for your friend’s family and help them find a way to honor the memory of the person who died.

• Give your friend a memorial candle to be lit throughout the holiday season
• When speaking with your friend, acknowledge that your are thinking of his/her loved one and tell of a specific holiday memory you have of that person
• Suggest that your friends dedicate a meal to the person who died
• Make a donation to a charity in the name of your friend’s loved one
• If children have lost a parent, take them shopping to buy their gifts for their surviving parent
• Observe a moment of silence before a holiday meal honoring the deceased person

Acknowledging the person who died is an important part of the healing process for the surviving family and friends.

* * *

Head off post-holiday blues!

There seems to be a natural ‘let down’ after the holidays for many people.  Someone going through a difficult life situation may be even more susceptible to wintertime blues.  Here’s a fun way to lift someone’s spirits that will also give great joy to all who participate in this fun gift:

The Twelve Days of Christmas

With very little effort or money, you can surprise your friend each day for a dozen days with a special gift.  Attach a card with “Sing It” on the front … and the following words inside:

Day 9 (January 2) – gift item: 9 lady finger cakes

On the ninth day of Christmas my WhatFriendsDo.com friends gave to me nine lady fingers.

Day 10 (January 3) – gift item: pedicure gift certificate

On the tenth day of Christmas my WhatFriendsDo.com friends gave to me ten painted toenails.

Day 11 (January 4) – gift item: 11 friends with toy flutes ‘serenade’ your friend

On the eleventh day of Christmas my WhatFriendsDo.com friends gave to me eleven pipers piping.

Day 12 (January 5) – gift item: fried chicken dinner with 12 drumsticks

On the twelfth day of Christmas my WhatFriendsDo.com friends gave to me a twelve drumstick dinner.

* * *

Special delivery each Sunday:  collect notes and cards all week and bundle them with a pretty ribbon, then place the bundle in your friend’s mailbox each Sunday.  These don’t replace cards throughout the week – but instead they are a special delivery each week on the day the mailman doesn’t come.

Organize a housecleaning day – but this cannot be a complete surprise – you MUST let someone in your friend’s household be “in” on this one, because showing up unannounced could very possibly be an unwelcome invasion of privacy… and that is NOT what friends do!

Maybe the best surprise for your friend is to organize a collection to pay for a cleaning service.

Warmer Clothing

Many people rotate the clothes in their closets as the seasons change. Ask your friend if he/she needs help with this.

Children may be in need of boots, coats, larger clothes than those worn last year. Offer to take children shopping.

* * *

Take a Turn - If your friend is going through chemotherapy treatments, offer to drive him or her to give the primary caregiver some time to do other things.  Take along a basket with some snacks and magazines.  You might also take along some blank note cards and ask if you write some notes on your friend’s behalf.   Take along some treats for the staff at the oncology center, too.   This will bring a smile to the staff and your friend!

Remember the whole family! 

When pampering your friend, keep in mind that his or her family members are also going through the experience.  They need to be pampered, too!   Movie passes (that include concessions!) for the entire family will be great for a fun family outing.  If going out isn’t feasible, DVD rentals are good – you can pick-up and return the DVDs – and maybe a family member would enjoy going with you to make the selection.

* * *

This month, and every month, please visit your local blood donation center and share the gift of life.