Each year, the day after Christmas, Mother had us four children sit at the dining table and write notes to whomever had given us gifts.  Even as Mother was entering ther Alzheimer’s years, she’d still remind me that we had to write thank you notes when someone gave her a gift or did a favor.  This became so ingrained in me, it’s become almost automatic that I think, “I must write a thank you note.”  And I look for pretty note paper for this.

However, I’ve discovered writing thank you notes has become a lost courtesy with most people. They may say a hurried “thank you” when you hand them something, but never a note, not even an e-mail. Not that I give gifts solely to receive a thank you note. Also, if you send gifts a distance, you do like to know the person received it and that it’s not floating around in transit for ages.

My daughter and son-in-law have their children sit down after Christmas, birthdays, and other gift receiving occasions to write notes to those who have given them the gift. I’m pleased this is being carried out for yet another generation of my family and hope they think to teach their children.

I wonder what’s happening to our society when thank you seems to have gotten lost…and taking time to write a note is almost never heard of. 

What do you think about thank you notes? Is this something you do and teach your children? Nowadays, too, you can design and generate delightful thank you notes on the computer, something youngsters often enjoy.

Post from: Blisstree

Have Thank You Notes Become a “Lost Art”?

 In later years, when I had a family, we made gifts for my mom and for my mother-in-law as well as others.  One Christmas, my daughter Beth stitched my mother a lap quilt.  Mother always had enjoyed quilts although she hadn’t made any since she was a child. 

 She seemed to enjoy this gift, even though she had Alzheimer’s and resided in a nursing home.  She would finger the pattern and pieces and comment, “Pretty.”

 My mother-in-law asked Beth to make her a small quilt to hang on her wall.  Beth used the Ohio Star pattern because Mum grew up in that state, even though she’d spent the last 60 years of her life in New Hampshire.

 Children and grandchildren making gifts for Alzheimer’s patients, whether a family member or someone in a nursing home, creates memories for them and enables them to learn about caring and giving and making someone happy.

At some point the Alzheimer’s illness may affect the person so they don’t understand nor express appreciation.  Youngsters then learn that they make the gift with love and care; they can’t control the recipient’s reaction.  Yet they can enjoy the experience of giving.

(Incidentally, my daughter just read an article reporting that more people are purchasing craft supplies and making gifts or buying them from craftspeople.)

(Amazon image)

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Handmade Gifts for Alzheimer’s Patients

Alzheimer’s Notes and my other blogs are participating with their shopping lists. 

 So, you can sit right at home, click on your keyboard and get your shopping done without battling crowds or weather.

Enjoy!

(Jomashop  image)

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Alzheimer’s Notes Joins the Virtual Mall on Cyber Monday

Stop by Kettle and Cup and select your favorite hot beverage, kick back and browse
this years Holiday Gift Guide Shopping Extravaganza. 

Cherie from Career and Kids has the perfect list for the business woman/working parent.

Mary Emma from One Book Two Book shares a suggest shopping list for the avid reader and artist on your list.

Everyone knows what to get a jewelry lover – but do you know what to get one who loves to make jewelry? Cyndi at Jewelry and Beading has the answer!

Chloe at The Doggy Blog shares an adorable wish list as written to Santa Paws.

Christine at Mad Cropper knows how to please those who are crazy about scrapbooking during the holiday season.

Quilters anyone? This unique craft makes for the tougher shopping experience – but that’s so yesterday considering we have a pro in our corner. Let Mary Emma at Quilting and Patchwork help you pick out the perfect gift.

Angela from Breastfeeding 1-2-3 provides a list of gifts for the breastfeeding
mother on your list.

So maybe giving kitchen appliances isn’t the best idea – but what about a cool and unique one. Lively Women has put together a list of gift ideas for the health conscious female on your list.

Christine at Our One Heart shares tips and gift ideas to keep that Bride-to-Be happy during the Christmas season.

Tracee at BlogFabulous has put together an amazing store displaying gift ideas for the
woman’s woman.

Christmas is for everyone and shopping for an Alzheimer’s  patients can present a challenge – allow Mary Emma at Alzheimer’s Notes to help you overcome that challenge and get on to the joys of the season.

Have someone who might be looking to become a little more organized in the new year? Let Chloe at Tangled Thread help you pick the perfect gift.

Unique gift ideas for the mixed media art lover on your list is what Cyndi from
Layers Upon Layers has on display.

Have an aspiring to advanced chef on your list this year? Cyndi at Busy Family Meals has an extensive list to cover every stage of cooking from beginner to pro.

Eliza has pieced together a shop that covers mom, dad and baby at Babylune. Why leave anyone out?

Heather at Chocolate Bytes did! Our resident chocolate expert has put together sweetest gift shop you won’t want to miss.

Who says married couples are boring? Check out the letters to Santa as shared by Marc and Marye of Marriage Actually and see what might appeal to the married couple on your list.

Jennifer from Tree Hugging Family provides a wonderful list to help you go a little
more green this holiday season.

Don’t forget about that single and dating friend or relative! We all know how difficult it can be to buy for them – Lucky for us we have Dating Dames and the Dames have the answers.

It’s never too early to start buying for your favorite gardener and Linette at Mother
Earth’s Garden has a wonderful list to help you decide.

Have someone a little offbeat or kooky on your list this year? Let Jennifer of Offbeat Homes help you find the gift that’s spot on.

Join Linette at She Knows Parties for fantastic gift ideas!

Marcie from One Book Two Book and A Child Chosen shares a wonderful shopping list she’s  broken down by age groups and hobbies.

Whether it’s tea or coffee you are looking for, Marye from Kettle and Cup has unique gift ideas that’s sure to add a little spice to your hot beverage.

Haven’t figured out just how to shop for the junk lover and crafter on your list? Let Peggy from Junk Creation assist you with your selection.

And last but certainly not least, I’ve compiled a list of MomGadget Favorites – A
Year in Review 2008 instead of a storefront for you to shop.

From all of us at
Lifestyles – Health & Wellness

We wish you and yours a
very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2009!

(Image credit: Stock.xchng)

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Alzheimer’s Notes Participates in the Virtual Mall Offering Great Shopping Ideas

Jim’s mother, Mary, died from Alzheimer’s disease.

The generous donation will allow support research in the following areas…

• Investigation of the molecular structure of the toxic protein that accumulates in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease.
• Studies of the molecular interactions that make the protein involved in Alzheimer’s toxic.
• Characterization of and intervention for Alzheimer’s in genetically engineered mouse models.
• Studies involving familial Alzheimer’s patients.
• Genetic studies and serial imaging of patients with Alzheimer’s.

(source)

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$10 million donation given to UCLA to find a cure for Alzheimer’s.

Christmas in July has become a popular event, whether you’re doing crafts, desiring an outing to a holiday shop (they’ve become very popular and often carry many other craft items), or simply want to start preparing early so your life doesn’t become too frantic in December with balancing caregiving responsibilities with family activities.

At my Quilting and Patchwork blog, I’ve been participating in a Christmas in July series with other bloggers, posting something about the holiday season every few days.  Here are some of the posts if you’d like to check them out for ideas and information.

13 Holiday Recipes for Quilters to Enjoy

7 Quilted Christmas Gift Projects for Youngsters

Quilters, What Colors for Christmas?

5 Christmas in July Ideas for Quilters

Christmas in July as Quilters Get Early Start on the Holidays

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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Do You Get Ready for Christmas in July?

I had a lot of fun with last year’s fat book and charm bracelet swaps, even though they didn’t raise as much as I hoped they would for Alzheimer’s research. So, this year, I was thinking to do something a bit different. I want to create a zine (a type of magazine) called “A Portrait of Alzheimer’s” and am looking for people to make art that fits this theme to include in the zine. Since you can just take a good, high resolution photo for me instead of sending in original art, it should be less costly for everyone to do. Of course, all net proceeds from zine sales will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Foundation at Alz.org.

Please comment here if you have questions or have a piece you want to submit or email your submission or questions to me at katelyn(at)b5media.com. The deadline for submissions to the zine is October 15th, 2008, so you have plenty of time to think about creating a piece.

(reprinted with permission from Stamping Mad)

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Stamping Mad’s Looking for Alzheimer’s Art.

http://www.clockweisser.com/index.html

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A Clock that adds structure for someone with Alzheimer’s.

Harrah’s Foundation was the primary sponsor of World Alzheimer’s Day (Sept. 21), offering a $1 million matching grant to assist in raising awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer’s disease. The Association’s World Alzheimer’s Day efforts raised $1.8 million, with the Harrah’s Foundation’s generous donation bringing the total to $2.8 million. (ref)

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Christmas Present for Alzheimer’s Association.

Written by the Athletic Director of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, this 92 page book offers his personal perspective (he cared for his late wife Barbara) on caregiving.

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Coach Broyles’ Playbook for Alzheimer’s Caregivers.