Wellness Wednesday Issue #104

🕎 Elegant, festive Hanukkah décor ideas to elevate your celebrations in 2024.

🎁 How to optimize your charitable giving before year-end.

📚 Cozy up with 15 new holiday and Christmas romance books this season.

🎄 All the Christmas storage solutions you should’ve snagged but didn’t—yet.

The end of the year is synonymous with celebrations worldwide. While you might be familiar with the twinkling lights of Christmas or the vibrant candles of Hanukkah, there’s a rich tapestry of traditions behind these holidays—and some lesser-known ones—that deserve a spotlight.

🎄 Christmas: More Than Just Gifts and Trees

We know Christmas as a time for family, generosity, and the iconic red suit of Santa Claus. But did you know the origins of Christmas trees trace back to pagan winter solstice traditions in Germany? Long before ornaments, evergreens symbolized life and vitality during the darkest days of the year.

🕎 Hanukkah: A Festival of Resilience

Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish celebration, commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Beyond the menorah and latkes, this holiday is rooted in a powerful story of triumph: the Maccabean revolt and the miracle of oil lasting eight nights instead of one.

🌌 Yule: A Celebration of Light and Nature

Yule, marking the winter solstice, predates Christmas and is celebrated by Pagans and Wiccans. It’s a time to honor the rebirth of the sun and nature’s cycles. Many modern Christmas traditions, like the Yule log, have roots in this ancient celebration.

🎆 Kwanzaa: A Modern Holiday with Ancient Values

Celebrated from December 26 to January 1, Kwanzaa honors African heritage and culture. Each day represents a principle like unity (umoja) or self-determination (kujichagulia). Though it began in the 1960s, it draws on timeless values and traditions from African communities.

✨ Omisoka: Japan’s Big Year-End Party

In Japan, December 31 isn’t just about ringing in the new year—it’s Omisoka, a time to tidy up your home and life. The tradition of otoshidama, giving money to children, kicks off a fresh year with prosperity and generosity.

Bonus Holiday Love:

• Las Posadas (Mexico): A nine-day celebration leading up to Christmas, re-enacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter.
• Boxing Day (UK, Canada): Originally a day to give servants gifts and time off, now a shopping frenzy.
• Dongzhi Festival (China): Celebrated around the solstice, focusing on family gatherings and warm dumplings.

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This Christmas, we’re flipping the holiday frenzy into a self-care celebration. Here’s your festive guide to prioritizing you this season—one joyful day at a time:

😮‍💨 Day 1: Take one deep, intentional breath and savor the joy of the day—whether it’s quiet, cozy, or filled with loved ones.

🍵 Day 2: Two cups of your favorite tea, cocoa, or even mulled wine—hydration, but make it cozy.

📚 Day 3: Three chapters of that book you’ve been meaning to read. Yes, your to-do list can wait.

🛋️ Day 4: Four hours of guilt-free lounging. PJs and a movie marathon highly encouraged.

🚶‍♀️ Day 5: Take at least a five-minute walk to enjoy the holiday lights or just clear your mind. Fresh air works wonders.

✨ Day 6: Six minutes to journal what you’re grateful for this year—it’s been a ride, hasn’t it?

🛁 Day 7: Add seven drops of essential oil in a bath (or just lock the bathroom door for some peace).

🕯️ Day 8: Enjoy a moment with eight cozy essentials—think blankets, slippers, candles, and all the warm vibes.

🎧 Day 9: Spend nine minutes creating a quick playlist for the new year—your go-to tunes for motivation or relaxation.

🧹 Day 10: Spend ten minutes tidying your space. Clear out the wrapping paper chaos or straighten up a corner—it’s surprisingly refreshing.

💌 Day 11: Eleven kind words in a message to someone you love (or to yourself!).

🌟 Day 12: Take twelve minutes to stretch or do light yoga—your body will thank you after all the holiday lounging.

Take it one day—or one tip—at a time. Because the best gift you can give this year is a recharged, happier you.

The holidays bring joy, but they also bring risks—especially online. With more shopping, travel bookings, and gift-card emails flooding your inbox, cybercriminals see the season as an open invitation. That’s where Surfshark comes in, offering an easy way to secure your digital footprint.

What’s a VPN, and Why Do You Need One?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is your personal online bodyguard. It encrypts your data and hides your IP address, shielding you from hackers, trackers, and cyber threats.

Here’s why it’s a must-have this holiday season:

• Safe Shopping: Surfshark encrypts your payment information, protecting your sensitive data while snagging those holiday deals.
• Public Wi-Fi Protection: Whether you’re at a coffee shop or an airport, Surfshark keeps you safe from cyber snoops on shared networks.
• Phishing Scam Defense: Avoid falling prey to fake emails and malicious links—Surfshark has your back.

Why Surfshark?

Surfshark takes cybersecurity to the next level with features like:

• Unlimited device connections: Cover all your gadgets with one account.
• Camouflage mode: Stay invisible, even to your internet provider.
• Data breach alerts: Get notified if your personal information is at risk.

Try Surfshark Risk-Free

Ready to protect yourself? Surfshark offers a free trial, so you can experience total online security without commitment.

🧥 Stay warm and stylish with this quilted pullover, perfect for chilly days.

🎉 Get ready to light up the night with these light-up show glasses, a fun addition to your NYE outfit.

💸 Listen to Esther Perel dive into the secret of managing money as a couple.

🧠 Learn smarter, not harder, with Brilliant’s interactive lessons—designed for busy, ambitious pros like you.

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