Holidays, happy days, girlfriend days!

Sure, it’s a silly-busy time of year filled with funny music (I could do without “Grandma got runned over …“!), extensive shopping pressure (with lovely filled parking lots) and lots of holiday get-togethers. All that combined can equal the ‘perfect storm’ of seasonal stress. But we’re got a solution!

Girlfriends, and spending time together with your favorite female friends, reduces stress. Stopping to have a girls night out or a cup of coffee with a friend can be the best retreat from holiday headaches and stress. Plus, we often can help each other out by helping run errands, wrapping gifts, cooking holiday goodies or helping each other find that sought-after Wii!

Here’s some of our thoughts and tips for getting through the holidays, with the help of your girlfriends!

Girlfriendology 101 Guide to the Online Community for Women based on Female Friendship December 17, 2008 Dear Girlfriend, There’s a wonderful energy created when women get together. Recently, at our house, 15 neighborhood girlfriends gathered to celebrate the holidays. Voices rang to a decibel level heard down the street! From Sarah’s new engagement to Erin’s pregnancy, and every conversation in between, we chimed in our updates on life, holiday plans and fun stories. Our ornament exchange was a scream as we were allowed to steal from each other. All in good fun, we had a blast celebrating our friendships. How are YOU celebrating the holidays with your girlfriends? Stop by Girlfriendology for a few ideas like: Girlfriend get together ideas Tips for girlfriend gifts Gifts under $25 and $50 Gifts for girlfriends who love to travel Even with lots of holiday plans, get YOUR girlfriends together for an evening of laughing, sharing and celebrating your friendships. And maybe let the neighbors know it could be a loud evening. Happy Holidays, dear girlfriend!

INSPIRATION If we’re aware and conscious of it, inspiration is all around. Visit these blogs some friendship inspiration: * Friendship on the Frontlines – Inspiring Soldier/girlfriend interview from Iraq with Capt. Rosanna Vasquez Brown. *Intergenerational Friendships – Learn how intergenerational friends make great girlfriends, give opportunities to learn from each other and create lasting friendships. * Inspiring Women Podcasts! Dr. Carolyn Miller shares insight into ‘getting good at life’ and April Mason helps women turn their lives around with inspiration and guidance. Listen online or on your phone – 707-638-6036. CELEBRATION … A girlfriend celebration can be as simple as a book club get-together, a GNO (girl’s night out) or a fabulous trip together. Get inspired to CELEBRATE your GIRLFRIENDS! * Start planning your Girlfriend Getaways for 2009! * Podcast interview with Girls Getaway Guide author: CASEY WOHL. Listen in to her tips and tricks for traveling with your favorite gal pals! APPRECIATION Are your girlfriends a ‘gift’? Do you love giving and receiving gifts from your girlfriends? The holidays give us lots of opportunities to show our appreciation with girlfriend gifts and special girlfriend celebrations. Send in your girlfriend ‘gift’ story to Girlfriendology for our DECEMBER CONTEST – contest@girlfriendology.com or leave us a voice mail (with your contact info) at 206-202-9005. GIRLFRIEND PICTURE PROJECT: Share your friendships with us and we’ll feature you in an upcoming book or calendar. … And MORE * Free Shipping on all clothing, pillows, quilts at Heirlooms to Be – THE site for beautiful gifts. Get 10% off when you sign up for the newsletter. Just type joinnews10 (all lower case, no spaces) in the coupon code box at checkout. * Listen to the latest 10 Minute Lessons podcast lesson on female friendship. * Ten Ideas for Holiday Girlfriend Gifts- not sure what to get your best friend(s)? Let Girlfriendology help! * Avoiding Holiday Stress for Women * Goo Goo Dolls – Better Days – Just a wonderful, inspiring song to share with you and your girlfriends! (Just another way of relieving holiday stress!)

STILL SHOPPING?! Here’s some super shopping specials: So many of our retail partners are offering new shopping and shipping specials that we just had to share with our girlfriends! Red Envelope – Some classic or contemporary, universal or personalized, all Red Envelope gifts are special and appreciated! NOTE: Free Shipping on Orders of $75 or more will expire on 12/20. However, the new special is: Save $10 on orders over $75 at RedEnvelope through 12/31. Cafepress – Best-selling gifts so far this year are our Gratitude Journal and Girlfriendology t-shirt. Also, very popular is our canvas bag with “Stand by your man, but sit with your girlfriends” on it! Uncommon Goods – Unique, beautiful gifts are still available at this favorite online store which boasts the ‘best stocking stuffers EVER!’ Gift Tree – FREE SHIPPING SPECIAL (specials are changing daily!). Get your great gifts for any occasion! Femail Creations- One of our ‘funnest’ shopping partners, Femail Creations is offering an upgrade on your shipping for FREE! Just place an order by December 19th and they will upgrade your shopping on any in-stock item for FREE! Just use special code UP12H9 when you place your order. MORE SHOPPING and SHIPPING SPECIALS: Gratitude Gifts, Amazon, Pajamagram, Vera Bradley, Chefs, Liz Claiborne, Illuminations, Organic Style, Personalized Greetings, Apple iPod, PurMinerals, Piperlime, Dale and Thomas Popcorn, David’s Cookies, Boden and more. THANKS Girlfriend!

“”This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.” unknown The holidays offer us the gift of insight and appreciation. We see the wonder of children, the beauty of winter and the hope for a better year ahead. Take this time to show and state your girlfriend appreciation. Take advantage of the season to celebrate the friendships that mean so much to us. And, allow yourself time to stop and reflect on the friends and memories of the past. Together your perspective of life can take on a glowing, hopeful, glorious life. So, dear friend, I wish for you peace and joy, laughter and love, courage and kindness, and to be surrounded by friends and family throughout the holidays and the coming New Year. Have a glorious holiday! THANKS Girlfriend!  Your friend, Debba Haupert, Girlfriendology founder Follow me and join in: Twitter/Girlfriendology, Facebook Girlfriendology Group, Linked In p.s. I’d love to hear your comments/ideas on Girlfriendology! Just email me.

Image by tanakawho via Flickr

Girlfriendology, the online community for women based on girlfriend inspiration, appreciation and celebration

Tags: Christmas, christmas shopping, Girlfriend Gifts, girlfriends, goo goo dolls, Happy Holidays, Holiday greetings, holiday stress, Holidays

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 18th, 2008 at 8:46 am and is filed under Be a Better FRIEND, Newsroom. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.