Happy New Year!

It's almost 2015! Don't forget to breathe, enjoy the moment, and think about all that you did in 2014!! Remember to enjoy the moment and take a second to appreciate how far you've come and how far you are going. 

ECHO can't wait to be here for you in the New Year!

Happy Days Together!

Are you hoping for a white holiday this week? 

I found this vintage post card at a thrift shop and thought about you guys! Look for simple scraps of cute paper or magazines and clip them for small decorations around the house or gift tgs. Again, remember that this week is all about cozying up with family! Maybe bundle up and head outside for a family walk or a game of catch! 

What are your family traditions and games for te holiday season? Let us know in the comments below!!

10 Ways to Participate in the Holiday Spirit Without Spending a Dime!

1. Help your neighbors shovel snow!
2. Help clean out an attic or dirty garage for a friend!

3. Bake cookies!
4. Volunteer at your local community center!
5. Take the neighborhood dogs for a walk!
6. Babysit for a family member and give them a date night!
7. Pick up trash from your local park or empty lot!
8. Spend time with a relative that you haven't connected with recently!
9. Visit a neighbor or elder who doesn't have
someone to share the holiday with!
10. Sing some holiday songs with your family!

Keep on giving!

Decorations for the holidays are not just about spending money! I know we've done. Lot of decorating tutorials lately, but that's for a reason! Yes, it is nice to get festive and celebrate this special time of year, but decorating your home also displays PRIDE in your neighborhood, home, an community. Putting up a string of lights or a garland of green might seem like a small or even silly gesture, but it shows your neighborhood that you take care of your home and your space! Why is this important? Well, this all relates back to giving during the holiday season! Decorating is one way you can GIVE to your community! Decorating displays beauty, care, and positivity that is contagious!! 

What do you think about giving thru decorating ? Leave comment below and let's start a discussion!

Check out this simple holiday inspiration! Black table cloth, red table runner and a few ornaments! Voila! 

Holiday Stress?

Every year it seems as if the holiday season gets more and more hype, resulting in more and more stress. Do you guys feel this way? 

Today I want to re-remind all of you out there that the holidays are about family. They're about giving and loving. If you can't give gifts or material items this year, don't stress. Remember that this time of year is simply about expressing your love and gratitude for those around you! So don't let the commericals and ads and tv and radio and magazines stress you this season. 

Snuggle up and tell your family you love them. Play a game together or go for a winter walk or ice skate down at Campus Maritus. Either way, remember to take a breath and enjoy the moment of being together!

Look for the little things like these snowflake projections I found at the local theatre! Aren't they so festive?

Remember the Sunset!

Inspiring sunset photo to share today! With all of these grey days, it's nice to remember the sun!!

It's time to start settling into winter!

Decorate Boxes!

Another inspiring idea to show you today!  Believe it or not these are donation boxes  for holiday gifts and winter clothing! Take a cardboard box and wrap with wrapping paper and ribbon (you can find them for super cheap at Meijer or DollarTree!) Wrap the cardboard as if you were wrapping a real present and use as decoration around your house or at your workplace! Remember, this month is all about giving - one way you can give to your family or neighbors or co-workers is by spreading holiday cheer! Decorations are festive, cheerful, and can be super cheap with a little planning! 

Check out the example below:

DIY Post card Christmas Tree!

Another cheap decorating idea coming your way today! Look at this adorable Christmas tree!! Use post cards, Christmas cards, even scraps of newspapers or cool images, attach a pretty stri or ribbon from Dollar Tree and voila! Any other ideas? Send them our way!!

Holiday Decorating Ideas!

Cheap holiday decoration at your service! Find some sticks or branches without leaves and spray paint white. Wrap a strand of white lights around the sticks and put into a pretty pot or basin!! 

Isn't it darling? Send us your decoration tips and tricks for the holiday season!

Holiday Saving Tip!

If you are strapped this holiday season we have a tip for you! Instead of getting gifts for each member of your family, how about a secret Santa? You can put everyone's names in a hat (or use my favorite website drawnames.com) and buy one nice gift instead of struggling to keep up with all of your spending! 

Any other gift giving tips? Let us know in the comments below!

#GivingTuesday

Today is #GivingTuesday

What is that? Well, let us tell you!!

Here's a brief description from the #GivingTuesday website:

We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

 

http://www.givingtuesday.org/

So how can you give back to your family, friends, neighbors, and community today? Maybe you can pick up trash on your block or make a meal for a friend in new, or volunteer your time at a community event! The possibilities are endless when it comes to giving! We're standing right along side you!