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Greetings!
Okay, maybe calling what we do "miracles" is pushing it a bit.
But if you're one of our many satisfied clients this holiday season,
you might just think we ARE miracle workers! We know you're
stressed, we know you have tons to do and no time to do it, we know
all about it.
So, are you ready to ask for help yet? There's no weakness in
admitting you can't do it ALL yourself. Do what you love, outsource
the rest. That's why we're here. As one client recently told me,
"Why should we worry? We pay you to think for us!"
As always, it is our goal to provide useful information and tips
to help you keep your life in balance, and to be on call for you
when you need help. We'd love to hear what you would like to see in
upcoming issues.
Warm holiday wishes,
Ellen Lovelace, Founder and President
| December Calendar |
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21 Winter Solstice
The first day of winter. Today we're the farthest from the
sun, the daylight is shortest, and the sun has its lowest arc
in the sky of the year. Look on the bright side, the days only
get longer from here!
24 Christmas Eve
No explanation needed for this one!
25 Christmas Day
Or this one!
25 (through January 1) Hanukkah
The first night of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights,
is tonight. Lasting 8 days and nights, the holiday celebrates
ancient triumphs of Jewish heroes. Actually not a major Jewish
holiday, it has become one due to its proximity to Christmas.
31 New Year's Eve
Have fun, celebrate, be wistful, be rowdy. Just don't drink
and drive!
Have other dates this month that are important to you:
birthdays, anniversaries, etc.? Visit our Forget
Me Not page on our website to learn how QCS can make sure
no important date ever goes forgotten again.
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| Even Santa Needs Elves |
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If you're so busy that you don't even have time to read
this: STOP. Deep breath, in and out. Now, think for a moment.
Surely there is something on your endless to-do list that you
are dreading. Something you feel obligated to take care of
every year, that you just can't stand. Well, your own fleet of
elves has arrived!
Here are just some of the ways we are helping our clients
this holiday season.
- Personalized gift shopping for everyone on your list
- Beautiful custom gift wrapping
- Party planning down to the last detail
- Grocery shopping: have you SEEN those lines?!
- Card addressing and mailing (let US get the writer's
cramp!)
- Home decorating (yes, we CAN untangle those lights!)
- Decluttering your home for guests (no more disapproving
glances and wrinkled noses!)
Now, how can we help YOU? Call us, let's figure it out
together.
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| Protect Yourself Online |
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If you're like many people, you will be shopping for at
least some of your holiday gifts online. This year, Americans
are expected to spend $20 billion on online goods. While it's
generally safe and sure is easy, there are some things to keep
in mind to keep you and your financial information safe.
Make sure you use a secure browser. The browser scrambles
the purchase information you send over the internet. A safe
site will have an image of a closed lock or an unbroken key in
the toolbar of your browser, or will start with "https".
Shop with companies you know, or that you find through a
reputable ratings system. Check out their shipping, privacy,
refund, and return policies. Always be sure they have a
mailing address and phone number available to you.
To help avoid fraud, how you pay is as important as
the price you pay. While people's biggest fear tends to be
having their credit card information stolen online, credit
cards are by far the safest way to pay. That's because The
Fair Credit Billing Act limits your liability to $50, and many
credit card companies actually have a $0 liability policy for
fraudulent charges.
If you encounter difficulties with a company, you can
contact the Federal
Trade Commission or the National
Fraud Information Center.
Use common sense and a few precautions this holiday season,
and online shopping can be a great timesaver for you. For
those truly unique and hard- to-find gifts, let QCS do your
shopping. We will find just what you're looking for and give
it our personal touch.
(Some info from MSN Money.)
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Let Your Gifts Do Good |
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This year, as you're planning your joyous reunions with
loved ones and shopping for the perfect gifts, remember that
there are thousands of hurricane Katrina victims who will have
neither family nor gifts this holiday season. Although it has
fallen out of the news, the situation remains dire for many
Katrina victims: thousands are still homeless and have nothing
to call their own.
While it's not practical to try to send holiday gifts
directly to the hurricane region, there are ways you can buy
gifts for the people on your list and still benefit Katrina
victims.
One of the best ways to help remains a donation to the American
Red Cross. Your funds will go to helping survivors rebuild
and move forward. The Red Cross will provide thousands of
Christmas dinners this year in the affected regions.
N
etwork For Good has created Gift Baskets filled with
charity gifts that will make a difference. You can choose gift
baskets for everyone on your shopping list that will send
donations in their name to charities in categories that
include hurricane recovery, gifts for families, and charity
for children. You send a monetary donation through the Network
for Good secure site, and they give you an electronic gift
card to pass on to the recipient you're honoring with your
donations. It's a great way to make a difference and honor the
spirit of the holidays.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and
Acadiana has distributed over 27 million pounds of food to
victims of the hurricane thus far, and continues to meet the
needs of families lacking the resources to buy food. To help,
visit www.no-
hunger.org
At this time of bountiful blessings, remember those who
have nothing to be joyful about this year. After all, the
holidays are about giving. |
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