Welcome to 2026! New Year’s Day can be one of the most festive and fortifying of the year if you do it right. You might treat yourself to a few hours of uninterrupted #relaxation by taking a hot bath or put on some quiet music. You can watch the Rose Parade or take in a few games of college football from the safety of your couch. You might spend a few hours taking down your #Christmas decorations and #organizing them for next #holiday season. Or you might launch an intensive #decluttering detox that extends well into the new year. The choice is up to you: How will you #celebrate? #NewYear
Tag: celebrate
Simplify for a No-Fuss New Year’s Eve
Hosting a New Year’s Eve gathering doesn’t have to be a lot of work, says Real Simple. Limit the drinks menu to one batched cocktail, one non-alcoholic drink, and a Champagne or sparkling wine, for example, to make serving simple and flexible. You can also keep kitchen work to a minimum by having a dessert or appetizer potluck instead of staging a multi-course meal. A lineup of heavy apps and mini-desserts is great for noshing and many can be made well ahead of time, says author Jessie Sierra-Ross, so you won’t have to “play waitstaff” or miss out on socializing with guests. #NewYear
Celebrate New Year’s Eve Your Way
New Year’s Eve is often celebrated with a party to say goodbye to the year that was and kick off the new one in a festive way. If you plan to go out you might dine at a favorite restaurant or see a show, The Pioneer Woman says. Or you might be the kind to host a quiet night of board games or a movie marathon. Whatever the case, the turning of the calendar page often inspires moments of reflection. Think about the lessons and achievements of the past year, set any resolutions you’d like to make, write a note to your future self or populate a vision board of your goals to make 2026 fulfilling. #NewYear
Celebrating National Grandparents Day
Observed on the Sunday after Labor Day each year, National Grandparents Day is a relatively new holiday recognizing the contributions of family elders. Elder activist Marian McQuade — herself the grandmother to 43 children — first championed the concept in 1970, hoping to give families an occasion to connect with patients in nursing care.
West Virginia became the first state to issue a proclamation establishing a Grandparents Day in 1973, and 42 others followed. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a bill designating the Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day starting the following year.
The day should “honor grandparents, give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and help children become aware of strength, information, and guidance older people can offer,” according to the law. McQuade urged the nation’s youth to “adopt” a grandparent and focus on family time, rather than commercialization.
To celebrate, ask seniors to share their knowledge with grandchildren, Almanac.com suggests. Maybe they like to fish; ask them to demonstrate how. If they like to garden, volunteer a day of yardwork with the grandkids. If they have a favorite recipe, make and enjoy it together. If they have a favorite movie, watch it. The point is to spend quality time together.
Grandparents might appreciate reminiscing with family members; go through their old photo albums and listen to any stories they inspire. Members of the younger, digital-savvy generations can help grandparents #organize those memories by sorting photos into digital albums or printing out a few favorites to frame and hang on the wall.
One thing grandparents often need to do as they age is #downsize. They will appreciate any help you and their grandchildren can lend, and may even wish to offload a few family heirlooms or trinkets for safekeeping. If there’s any #stuff they no longer need or want, you can send it directly to ClothingDonations.org by requesting a #free #donation #pickup.
Grandparents are repositories of family memories, knowledge and wisdom. Remember to celebrate National Grandparents Day with the elders in your family this week!
Take Advantage of the Independence Day Sales
Fourth of July is a good excuse for the nation’s retailers to put their most #summery merchandise on sale — and most of those sales will continue through the extra-long weekend. Big retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, Lowe’s and REI are slashing prices on grills, outdoor furniture and camping gear, CBS News reports. The Organizing Blog doesn’t advocate unnecessary spending or accumulating lots of #stuff, but if you need something and find a great price, treat yourself! Otherwise, look to #recycle and #reuse whenever possible by donating the things you don’t need to ClothingDonations.org. #FourthOfJuly #IndependenceDay