START THE YEAR WITH A SMILE!

New Year is traditionally a time of new beginnings. For many of us, it is a time of post-party exhaustion and credit card hang-over. A cheerful, upbeat greeting could make a big difference. With a little planning, we can take it to the next level beyond the usual hugs, kisses, and e-mails.

Find five minutes for a phone call or a face-to-face meeting. Start with a song. "Happy New Year to you . . ." to the tune of "Happy birthday." Share your happiest memory of the person in the past year, and express a wish for many more to come. Finish with a hug or kiss, if appropriate.

Say it with flowers. That doesn't have to be lavish or expensive. A single carnation (live or silk) in a second-hand bud vase will do the trick. For guys who are not sufficiently liberated to appreciate such a gesture, try a glow-in-the-dark pen or a lottery scratch ticket.

Write a short note thanking each person for something s/he has done in the past year. Alternatively, start a collective chain letter, asking each person to add something to it, and make copies for everyone.

Buy a roll of mint condition coins and attach them to cards that announce, "Here is a magic coin to get you through the coming year. As long as you have it in your possession, you will never be broke."

Buy gag gifts at the dollar store. Wrap them up in layer after layer of re-cycled Christmas paper. You could include a humorous message, such as
If I had a million dollars, I'd give it all to you.
But since I'm broke and hungry, this will have to do.

Invite the gang over for coffee. If you've been scouring garage sales, you probably have a major collection of mugs. Match them to the people, and send them home together with your good wishes. If you can't manage a gathering, fill the mugs with Hershey's hugs and kisses, mini stuffed toys, envelopes of instant hot chocolate. or individually-wrapped tea bags. Add a greeting, wrap them in cellophane, and tie them with curling ribbon. If you don't have a mug collection, your trusty dollar store or second-hand shop can remedy that.

If you've been working on a family video record or power point presentation, this would be a great time to show it. Alternatively, pin your best photo prints from the past year on a bulletin board, and let everyone choose one to take home. If you can't get together, frame the pictures or put them in a card, and hand them out to the appropriate people.

Write funky fortunes

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