There's no place like home

Home is where the heart is and it's definitely here. I took this picture last winter when I finally got to come home for Christmas. Once November 1 hits I become obsessed and nostalgic about Christmas and it KILLS me to not be home. I get lost in the grocery store smelling nutmeg and Cinnamon and looking at holiday baking items and foods and decorations. Every new piece of clothing I buy is a deep christmas shade of red. I think I could give Mrs. Clause a run for her money in the Christmas spirit department. I also miss home a ton. At home, the day after thanksgiving my family picks out a christmas tree. We run through the trees and throw snowballs, play hide and seek and pick out the best tree at all. They are never big enough for me, small enough for dad, or full enough fo rmom, but eventually we pick one out that everyone loves. Then we wait a few weeks and have it delivered. Everyone year for my whole life my grandma gives the kids christmas ornaments and dad gives mom one. So are tree is pretty burdened by the weight of all of these years but we still proudly display them (even if we have to wire the tree to the wall..again).

Things are a different however in Americorps. So for any current future or past NCCC members here is my "how to have an Ameri-holiday."

1. You need a tree. You need a very small, cheap tree. How does a lowly, poor, desperate NCCC team get a tree? Individual Service Projects (Isp)! A lot of churches/community centers have Christmas Tree Sales. They often times can use young bodies to help lug around trees, reorganize and tie them ontop of cars. Usually, if a team comes in, works a lot of hours and is charming as can be...the church doesn't mind parting with a small 2 or 3 foot tree. Also if you're feeling REALLY crafting, you can snag some of the tree-trimmings that are left laying around and make your own wreath. After you've charmed your team into a tree you need a stand. The dollar stores often have cheapy tree stands...or you can do like I've done in the past and use the kitchen kit stock pot!

If this does not work. Draw a tree! Get some paper and draw a tree on it and tape it to your wall. It doesn't have the same 3D affect, but in the name of christmas spirit and the ache of being away from the holidays this can still help!

2. Decorations! These can be done in several different ways. Dollar stores usually have cheap sets of ornaments - which your team can draw on, write on or decorate. You can make paper chains or string up popcorn. I know these things sound cheesy but they work! Another way is to get creative! I've taken those 'mardigras' strands of beads and used them as garland. Have everyone on your team string up one miscellaneous item - spoon, sock (clean I hope) earring, etc.

If your team has a paper tree, draw ornaments and tape them to the tree! Service Learning Initiators (SLI) and Peer Helpers, can lead Ornament crafties!

3. Snow! Now some teams are fortunate enough to actually have snow, I have not been that fortunate however. In order to get your snow spirit on, just bring it on back to the elementary years. Make paper snowflakes! You can hang them from the windows of the housing, the van or the ceiling. If you get crazy and your housing is okay with it, you can even get that crappy fake snow stuff and spray the tere or even the outline of the snowflakes. The stuff usually wipes off pretty easily but get permission first!

4. FOOD! If you, your team or your family is anything like mine food becomes a very important part to any holiday season. Nothing comes close to saying team building like baking! Sugar cookies are a great way (peer helpers) to have a team activity. You can either pre-make the dough and everyone can roll it out and cut it and bake them or you can cut some out and bake them and the team can frost. Gingerbread men are usually a hit of everyone make the most outrageous clothes!