January 25th, 2012

Eye Heart You: Valentine’s Day Treats for Your Sweets

diy valentines

From department store decor, to red and pink fashion trends, to my lovely Pinterest feed, it seems like everyone’s itching for Valentine’s Day to get here as much as I am.

Valentine’s Day to me isn’t about flower bouquets and expensive dinners; this day gives me a chance to tell all the loves of my life — from my sisters to my dog — how much they mean to me. In the craziness that is our daily lives, taking the time to tell others how much they mean to us can sometimes be overlooked or taken for granted. It’s important for all of us to make time to tell the gems in our life that they are just that.

Now, after reading my ramblings, you might be thinking that I’m one mushy-gushy gal (which I admit, I am!), but when it comes to your happiness, it truly is the people that surround you who make your life complete. And hopefully, once you get the hang of honoring those important people on Valentine’s Day, these random acts of loveliness will happen more often than once a year. Because the way I see it, V-Day should be every day.

So how will you express yourself this Valentine’s Day? That is completely up to you :) But as always, I am here to get you thinking of the perfect ways to do so. Here is what I’m doing this year for a few of  my Valentines.

My favorite gift to give others is a thoughtful note paired with some sweets. One of my go-to recipes that’s both low cost and amazingly easy is the popular Pretzel, Hershey’s Kiss, and Peanut M & M’s treat. These delicious snacks never fail to put a smile on my friends’/family’s/coworkers’ faces, because they really are that good. I’ve decided to get creative with this recipe, and added Valentine’s Day-themed toppings for a special touch of “me.”

Here’s how to make them:

STEP 1: Purchase Ingredients. You will need 1 bag of pretzels (any mini variety will do: round, twists, or waffle), a bag of Hershey’s Hugs (I love the white chocolate!), and Valentine’s toppings of your choosing (I chose candy hearts and red and pink M&M’s, but cute sprinkles would work well, too!).

pretzel candy ingredients

STEP 2: Preheat oven to 350°. While you’re waiting, line an oven-safe pan with aluminum foil, and lay out pretzels in rows on top of the pan.

how to make valentine pretzels

STEP 3: In a separate bowl, unwrap your Hershey’s Hugs. Place one Hug on top of each pretzel.

hershey's hugs for valentines day

STEP 4: Place your pan in the oven for 30 to 60 seconds until the Hugs are soft to the touch, but not completely melted. Be careful that you don’t keep the Hugs in the oven for too long or they’ll burn and taste funny.

hershey kiss pretzels

STEP 5: Once out of the oven, quickly (the chocolate hardens fast!) place/squish/sprinkle your Valentine’s day decor on top of your Hugs.

valentines day pretzel hershey kisses

STEP 6: Let your pretzel treats cool, and pop them in the refrigerator to allow them to set completely.

homemade valentine's day candies

And Voila! You have yourself the most adorable, salty-sweet treats in about 15 minutes or less!

For presentation, I grabbed a few inexpensive items from WalMart, and placed some treats in mini cupcake holders. Others I served on my beloved “You are Special Today” plate for any visitors; this plate has been a tradition in my family for as long as I can remember.

homemade valentines candiesvalentines plate of candy

I wanted to give my mom a special batch, along with this ADORABLE pair of red polka dotted reading glasses that she’s been eyeing for months, so I bought this cute heart bag to hold the treats and glasses.

valentines reading glassesvalentines gift for mom reading glasses

See, Valentine’s Day gestures can be small, inexpensive, and completely meaningful. And don’t count out simply using your words to tell them how you feel, either. Get creative, trust in your crafting abilities, and have fun with it :)

Happy V-Day my loves!

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January 23rd, 2012

What Magical Vitamin Could Help Combat the Effects of Aging in Eyes?

Eye Health and Vitamin DResearchers from the Institute of Ophthalmology at the University College London found that vitamin D reduced the effects of aging in mouse eyes and actually improved the vision of older mice significantly. The group hopes that these results might mean that vitamin D supplements have a similar effect in human subjects.

Before getting into the details of the study, here’s a little background information on how our eyes age: The retina is the layer of light-sensitive nerve lining the back portion of the eye. The retina receives images formed by the lens and transmits these images to the brain via the optic nerve. Being responsible for our vision is a demanding task and requires a great deal of energy. Therefore, as mammals like mice and humans age, their retinas are subjected to progressive inflammation and debris deposits. This can result in poorer vision that manifests itself in disease like macular degeneration.

The researchers in the study found that when old mice were given vitamin D for just six weeks, inflammation was reduced, the debris partially removed, and the mice demonstrated improved vision in tests.

Professor Glen Jeffery, who led the research, believes that the link between vitamin D and age-related eye diseases may be linked to our evolutionary history. Our ancestors lived in Africa for much of human history and were exposed to sunlight year-round, which would have triggered vitamin D production in the skin. Humans only began moving westward and adopting clothing relatively recently. Thus, they may not be well adapted to reduced sunlight. Additionally, life expectancy has increased dramatically over the last few centuries. The combination of reduced vitamin D production and longer lifespan may be the reason aging has such a dramatic effect on the eyes.

While full clinical trials involving humans still need to be conducted before aging patients can be advised to take vitamin D supplements, there seems to be a significant amount of evidence pointing to a connection between vitamin D deficiencies and health problems in the Western world.

In the meantime, make sure you’re getting your daily dose of vitamin D. Not only is the “sunshine vitamin” potentially good for your eyes, but it helps the body absorb calcium from your diet. Try to spend time in the sunshine (when it’s available); as little as 10 minutes of exposure a day is thought to prevent deficiencies. Vitamin D is also found in many dietary sources like fish, eggs, fortified milk, yogurt, fortified cereals, and cod liver oil.

Try this recipe from Wholeliving.com for a vitamin D-packed meal!

curry salmon recipeCurry Rubbed Salmon with Napa Slaw

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup brown basmati rice
  • Coarse salt and ground pepper
  • 1 pound Napa cabbage (1/2 head), thinly sliced crosswise
  • 1 pound carrots, coarsely grated
  • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving
  • 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
  • 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each)
  • 2 teaspoons curry powder

Directions:

  1. In a large saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil then add rice. Season with salt and pepper, cover, and reduce heat. Cook until tender — about 30 to 35 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine cabbage, carrots, mint, lime juice, and oil. Season with salt and pepper and toss.
  3. Heat broiler with rack set 4 inches from heat. Ten minutes prior to when the rice is done cooking, place salmon on a foil-lined baking sheet. Rub salmon with curry and season with salt and pepper. Broil until just cooked through — about 6 to 8 minutes.
  4. Fluff rice and serve alongside salmon and the salad.

 

Sources:

Eye Health Guide
Medical News Today
Dr. Ben Kim
Whole Living

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January 20th, 2012

Quotable Fridays: An RGS Feel-Good Series

Well hello there Reading Glasses Shopper friends!

My name is Molly, and I’m a new member of the RGS team. I could not be more excited to join this fabulous group of interesting, witty, and creative bloggers, and am even more thrilled to get to know each and every one of you a little better!

The new year of course gives us a chance to try new things, and we’ve decided to make 2012 a year of new traditions. Our blog has always been your escape for everything reading glasses related, and we vow to expand our horizons this year and add a bevy of creative DIY projects, Pinterest roundups, delicious recipes (YUM-O!), and reading tips to keep you healthy, aware, and inspired.

The first of these lovely new features might just be my favorite: Every Friday, we’re featuring a roundup of favorite quotes  from some of RGS’s favorite thinkers. Whether it’s a simple saying, a cute craft, or a gorgeous picture, our hope is for you to take a moment every Friday to reflect on how wonderful you, your life, and your achievements really are — and to laugh a bit, too. :)

So here you have it, the start of Quotable Fridays! Grab those reading glasses, and enjoy, share, indulge, love.

We could  all use a little bit of Julie Child in our lives:

julia child quote(source)

Brilliant:

einstein quote(source)

Doesn’t this just look lovely? Snow, Tea, and Shakespeare

shakespeare books(source)

Here’s a weekend activity that’s worthwhile…

diy moleskine notebook(source)

And after you make your own notebook, Be Inspired. Write.

writing poster(source)

We need more of everything wonderful.

more poster(source)

This happens to me often when I’m wearing these.

glasses poster(source)

Just a bundle of cuteness:

cute baby(source)

If you haven’t read and seen The Help. do it! Because…

you is kind quote(source)

Have a mahvelous weekend!

Love,

The RGS Team ♥

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January 18th, 2012

How to Not Lose Reading Glasses (Part II of a two-part Series)

Right now on the Reading Glasses Shopper blog we’re hosting a two-part series on losing reading glasses. On Monday, we blogged about where you should look if you’ve lost your readers in Part I. Today we’ve got Part II, which provides tips on how to avoid losing your readers. Let’s get right to it:

The absolute worst part about wearing glasses is finding them, especially when you don’t wear them daily.  I can’t even find my keys, which I use multiple times per day, so how am I supposed to remember where my glasses are when I put them somewhere four days ago?  And might I add the most obvious difficulty with finding them: Anyone looking for their glasses is doing so while visually impaired! Here are a few tips on how to avoid losing your readers:

  • I cannot stress this point enough. No matter where you think you’ve put them, always check the top of your head first!  Even if they’re not there, at least you don’t feel silly when that’s the 5th place you’ve checked.  There’s nothing worse than asking someone if they’ve seen your glasses when they’re sitting atop your head, or worse, on your face.
  • For those who are just as forgetful as me in this area, you may want to invest in a reading glasses chain.  They’re inexpensive and come in a variety of colors and styles.  You can get a basic black nylon strap, or a more feminine beaded one that can serve as an accessory to an outfit.
  • A less conspicuous route would be to train yourself to keep them in their case, which more specifically should be kept in the same place every time.  Designate a pocket in your purse or a place on your nightstand to keep the case where it is convenient.  I often am too tired to get up and put my glasses away before falling asleep so I just leave them out on my nightstand.  A better idea is to keep the actual case right there as well so that if you read or watch television in bed, you can just reach over and put your glasses away.
  • Another helpful idea when using your glasses case is to choose one that stands out.  Look for one with a distinctive pattern or color so that you don’t have to dig through a large purse or search all over your room to find it.
  • If you still can’t seem to keep tabs on your glasses, consider a crazy quirky way to store them like these crocheted Muppet heads or this giant wooden nose. You may be a lost cause if you still can’t keep track of your glasses with these to help you out.

muppet glasses holder
While I hope these tips are helpful for the average individual, I recognize that I may be a lost cause in remembering where my keys and glasses are.  My next life goal is now to buy a puppy that I can train to find these problematic items for me.  It seems like a foolproof plan.

Author bio: Ashley is a senior at Indiana University.  She writes for Affordable Style and gets to share her love for both fashion and people as a part time manager at Express.

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January 16th, 2012

Where Did I Leave my Glasses? (Part I of a two-part Series)

We’ve all been there: bleary-eyed and rushing around in the morning, searching high and low for that elusive pair of reading glasses that are never in the same spot twice. As a glasses wearer, there’s nothing more frustrating this! This week on the Reading Glasses Shopper blog, we’ve got a special two-part series on losing reading glasses. Part I focuses on all the spots you may have left your reading glasses, while Part II will share tips and tricks on preventing reading glasses loss. So without further ado, Part I:

“Where did I leave my glasses?” you frantically ask. After minutes of searching, yelling, and wondering, you turn to the computer and desperately type “where did i leave my glasses” into Google. A blog post from Reading Glasses Shopper appears in the search results, apparently solving your dilemma. You click, and are here. These are our answers to your question. They may not be the answers you need, but they will hopefully aid the hunt.

1. On your face.

Gotcha! You should have seen this one coming. It happens in all the movies, but not to anyone real. Now move on to the rest of the possible locations.

But seriously, are they on your face?

2. By a book.

Where do you read? In your bed? On a La-Z-Boy? Outside? Check there. It’s very likely that you took your glasses off to read, especially if you’re nearsighted and are thus comfortable with images at close distances. If you wear reading glasses, you might have left them at this scene of the crime once you were done. Check there, and then check inside the book. Slim glasses can double as bookmarks.

3. On your shirt pocket.

You have two pairs of glasses: reading and regular. When you use one, you store the other clipped on your pocket, because you haven’t gotten around to getting a glasses case. And it just so happens…you changed shirts earlier today. Or it escaped you to remove them from your shirt last night. Go, ravage your wardrobe, scrounge your room, and dig through the hamper. Your glasses are in there somewhere, they’ve gotta be.

4. In the bathroom.

If you’ve washed your face or showered in the past 24 hours, and hopefully you have, you presumably didn’t do it with your glasses on. You left them in the bathroom.

5. At your computer.

You’re reading this, so you’re at your computer. Are they right by your fingertips? Or perhaps you’re reading this on a mobile phone — hurry, check your computer. If you’re like me, nearsighted, taking your glasses off when using the computer can be a good rest for the eyes.

6. On your dog.

Do you have a dog? Do you like cute things? If so, you’ve put your glasses on your dog.  It might have been today that you did that. Or maybe it wasn’t today, but your glasses have been growing on your dog, and he’s taken the initiation to improve his eyesight. Good for him, but how did he know his prescription?

dog wearing glasses

Image source: Guys With Glasses

Author bio: Michael Carper is a junior at Wabash College who enjoys colorful watches, classical music, and listing the things he enjoys.

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January 13th, 2012

Celebrity Eyewear Faux Pas

How hard can it be to choose the right pair of reading glasses? A few pieces of plastic and two lenses, that’s all they are after all. Well, judging by these celebrity (or movie character) eye wear mistakes, it’s not as simple as one would have imagined.

Sarah Palin Reading Glasses

It’s important to pick colors and frames that flatter your face shape and skin tone. This is no more apparent than in this photo of Sarah Palin. While rimless frames are common and trendy, Palin chose a lens the size of a small car’s windshield.

Sarah Palin rimless readeres

Lesson: Small faces call for similarly small frames and lenses. Check out our guide to picking glasses based on face-shape for help. A better choice of glasses would the The Abbott, a similar style, but much smaller and more appropriate. Note: Since this photo, Palin has updated with a half-rimmed style.

John Stamos Sunglasses

Even hunks make mistakes. Unless John Stamos was participating in some sort of water sport in which red-tinted lenses were necessary, the shades he’s sporting below are a big “no, no.”

John Stamos sunglasses

Lesson: Bright-colored lenses are appropriate for various outdoor sports, but not for everyday use. A better option that mimics the popular aviator look would be The Christopher.

Ugly Betty Glasses

In reality, America Ferrara  is a fashion-savvy, beautiful woman. In the television show, Ugly Betty, she throws style out the window. Her trademark accessory? A pair of red-rimmed, oblong glasses. The red color is a testament to Betty’s outgoing personality, but the thick frames and oblong shape age her.

ugly betty red glasses

Lesson: Look for an age-appropriate style of glasses that still capture your personality. For Betty, The Gillian, would be a great choice. The color and rhinestone accents are a way to show off her personal style, while the smaller frames are slightly more modern.

Designer Glasses Gone Wrong

This next photo takes minimal explanation, hopefully. Fashion designers go to great lengths to separate themselves from the pack, and some designers just go too far. Had this poor model known she’d be wearing some sort of reading glasses-headgear contraption, she probably would have called in sick.

designer glasses

Lesson: For $685 and excessive public humiliation, even a designer name isn’t worth it. Lose the hexagons on the sides and wear a pair of retro reading glasses instead, like The Buchanon. You’ll be fashionable without looking silly.

Napoleon Dynamite Glasses

While fixing Napoleon Dynamite’s glasses won’t quite solve all of his style issues, it would certainly be a start. It’s time to bury the 80′s large metal frames. These glasses completely dwarf those with small faces and generally are not flattering.

napoleon dynamite 80s glasses

Lesson: Stick to trends that originated in the current decade and look at our review of 2012’s glasses trends for hints. Sharper lines, plastic frames, and interesting color details are all popular today. A better choice for Napolean would be The Althope — with the fade effect if he’s feeling especially hip.

Mischa Barton Glasses

The only excuse for the glasses Mischa Barton is wearing below, is that she was trying to disguise herself in an effort to hide from the paparazzi. These thick-rimmed, large glasses overtake her small face and draw much too much attention to her eye make-up (ladies, shake your heads with me).

 mischa barton red glasses

Lesson: A better alternative to these Minnie Mouse-esque glasses might be The Actor. They have a similar round shape, but feature much thinner rims for a more modern look.

Hope you’ve learned a thing or two from these celebrity eyewear faux pas, or at the very least, had a good laugh!

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January 9th, 2012

We’re Eying 2012′s Glasses Trends

Now that we’re well into January, it’s time we get to business and cover 2012′s eyeglass trends. If you’re still sporting glasses like THIS, you’ll want to pay special attention to theses styles and looks that we’re seeing on runways and in fashion magazines.

everyday glasses

Everyone needs a standard pair of black or brown glasses that they can use for work and everyday wear.  A big trend for 2012 everyday glasses is oversized glasses — AKA the Geek-Chic Trend. Above all, your everyday gasses should be flattering with your face and complexion, but if you’re sick of solid black, add a retro twist by pairing neutral color or lightening things up with some half frame readers.

semi rimless glasses

colored glasses frames

Colors and patterns will be big in 2012, giving you the perfect opportunity to try something new.  If you have a color that you wear again and again with your clothes, I suggest choosing a different glasses color so you don’t end up looking too matchy matchy — but at the same time you don’t want to clash! The color you choose should also complement your skin, eye, and hair colors. I think a pair of red reading glasses is nothing short of sassy, while cool blue readers looks refined and chic.

red half frame readers

detailed glasses

Glasses are beginning to look more and more embellished as people turn away from standard frames.  Think about glasses embellished with crystals, etching, iridescent hues, or, my personal favorite, cutout details. The edgy reading glasses below sport cutout arms and stripes.

edgy reading glasses

retro eyeglasses

Retro styles are a continuation of 2011′s trends. From cat eye reading glasses to Buddy Holly glasses, you can’t go wrong with any frames that are a nod to the 1940s, 50s, or 60s.

wayfarer glasses

color block glasses

Color blocking is a big fashion trend in 2012. To color block, simply wear two or more solid blocks of color together. This trend is certainly translating to eye wear with two toned glasses and bold bright readers.

colorblock glasses

 

Another glasses trend for 2012 that doesn’t necessarily have to do with fashion is the amount of glasses people own. With more and more discount glasses options available, people are taking advantage of affordable prices and collecting glasses in all shapes and sizes to match their every outfit and mood. And with our selection of discount reading glasses at Reading Glasses Shopper, what’s stopping you?!

Author bio: Ashley is a senior at Indiana University.  She writes for Affordable Style and gets to share her love for both fashion and  people as a part time manager at Express.

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January 3rd, 2012

Smart Resolutions for 2012

We’re three days into 2012, so it’s about time the Reading Glasses Shopper team wishes you a Happy New Year! Today I’m going to write about something that’s on everyone’s minds right now: New Year’s Resolutions.

new year's resolutions cartoon

 

If you’re anything like me, you make annual resolutions that you delude yourself into believing you’ll actually follow through with, when in fact none of them last longer than a month. So after years of failure to follow through, I’ve learned some attainable ones that are easy to achieve.  And these do not include the popular “work out every day” or “lose weight.” I’ve found the most attainable resolutions revolve around exercising your brain. Immediate mental stimulation is the short-term benefit, and increased memory can be a long-term benefit if you stick with the resolution.

Here are 3 attainable New Year’s Resolutions that stimulate the brain:

*Under each resolution is a “challenge” if you’re feeling extra ambitious.

NEWSPAPERS: Choose a section of the newspaper that you’d like to learn more about and vow to read it each day.  Whether you’re interested in business, politics, art, or foreign affairs, read every related article so you can piece them together into an understanding of the bigger story.  Online sites like Twitter can serve as an aid, as you can follow your favorite news stations or papers.  With the presidential race in full swing, it wouldn’t be a bad time to start reading up on U.S. politics.
*Challenge: Read the Wall Street Journal…and understand it.

CROSSWORDS: Pull that newspaper back open or find a free crossword website to complete each week.  The weekday papers generally have a smaller crossword than the weekend versions, so start small and work your way up.  It’s also helpful to be consistent with the paper or site that you use.  As you start to work on them more often, you’ll pick up on the types of clues they give and see the perspective from which they write them.
*Challenge: Complete a weekend crossword once a month.

MUSIC: Turn on some new radio or Pandora stations with music you aren’t familiar with.  Try something like classical or jazz.  These can be challenging if there are no words to accompany the music, but they’ll help you appreciate a new style and you’ll begin to understand what the music is conveying, almost like learning a new language.
*Challenge: Learn to play an instrument.

Adapt these to meet your own strengths and goals.  Don’t forget to use your favorite pair of reading glasses as you take on these brain-strengthening exercises.

Photo credit: funny-and-hilarious.com

Author bio: Ashley is a senior at Indiana University.  She writes for Affordable Style and gets to share her love for both fashion and  people as a part time manager at Express.

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December 22nd, 2011

Skip the Wrapping Paper — Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas

It’s December 22, and I’m sure many of you are finishing up your holiday preparations: baking cookies, buying last-minute gifts, and wrapping presents and placing them under the tree. But what to do when that last roll of wrapping paper ends, and you still have more to wrap?You grab your reading glasses and get creative, of course! There’s tons of inspiration on the Internet on DIY gift wrapping. From simple ideas that are slightly outside of the box, to the more ambitious ones that you’ll need to plan for, here’s a roundup of my favorite creative ways to wrap a gift.

  • From the queen of creativity herself, Martha Stewart, this one really blew my mind.  Believe it or not, this gift was wrapped using a CHIP BAG!  It’s too good to be true, right?  According to Martha, you can just cut the bag open along the seam, wash and dry it, and like magic, you have a beautiful metallic wrapping paper.

chip bag wrapping paper

 

  • Another ingenious idea from Martha Stewart is using leftover scraps of fabric. If you plan ahead, you could use scarves as wrapping paper, which could serve as part of the gift.

faric wrappingp paer

  • We’ve all used a brown paper bag as wrapping paper, but rather than leave the paper plain brown, tie a colorful bow around it and stamp the recipient’s name on the paper.

brown paper wrapping paper

 

  • You can also use  newspaper or magazine print as wrapping paper. Tie a pretty string or bow around the paper to add a splash of color to the the black and white. In the same vein, I think that sheet music could make a great gift wrapping paper!

print wrapping paper

 Do you have any clever ways to wrap presents?

Happy Holidays from Reading Glasses Shopper!

Author Bio: Ashley is a senior at Indiana University.  She writes for Reading Glasses Shopper and works as holiday sales lead at Express.

 

 

 

 

 

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December 16th, 2011

5 Must-Read Classics for the Holidays

The holidays are a time to celebrate tradition.  I can’t even count how many stories, books, and movies we’ve all grown up with that bring us right back to this festive time of year.  Now I love movies like Elf and the How the Grinch Stole Christmas, but there’s nothing better than using your down time to get out of the snow and curl up with a holiday book.  Here are some classics that have inspired many of the holiday movies and plays that we know and love.

A Christmas Story bookA Christmas Story:
Everyone knows the 1983 movie that had us wondering whether little Ralphie Parker will get his coveted Red Ryder Carbine-Action, Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle.  More importantly, would he, in fact, shoot his eye out?  However, fewer people know that the movie was actually based on a series of semi-autobiographical short stories about the author, Jean Shephard. Five short stories were combined to create one volume, A Christmas Story, which follows how one typical family in Depression-era Indiana spends the holidays. The same knee-slapping story lines we love from the movie are present in the book, so why not sit down with the family and give it a read?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gift of the Magi coverThe Gift of the Magi:
This short story is about Della and Jim, struggling newlyweds who each make great sacrifices so they can afford to buy Christmas presents for each other. With the sacrifices, each one parts with something the other treasures, but their love is made stronger when each realizes what the other has done.  This touching short story of the couple’s selflessness has been recreated for over one hundred years.  From newspaper print to books to movies, there’s bound to be a version of the story you’ll love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Christmas Carol coverA Christmas Carol:
Another classic tale that has been adapted into film, opera, ballet, a Broadway musical, and of course a movie by The Muppets, is A Christmas Carol.  Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation from cynical bigot to generous employer and friend has warmed the hearts of Dickens readers since 1843. As Scrooge is visited by the spirits of Christmas past, present, and future, this book teaches the value of family and generosity during this season in particular. This is a great story to sit down and read aloud with the whole family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Greatest Gfit bookThe Greatest Gift:
Everyone who has fallen in love with It’s a Wonderful Life needs to read the short story that inspired this touching film. Written by Phillip Van Doren Stern, The Greatest Gift follows George Pratt, an unhappy man who is ready to commit suicide. A strange and shabby man shows Geroge what the people in his life would be like if he’d never been born, which turns out to be Geroge’s greatest gift. This short story is definitely worth a read.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little Women bookLittle Women:
Although not always related to the Christmas season, Louisa May Alcott’s story is one of the most classic American novels to date. The novel begins around the holidays, and the four March sisters are lamenting the fact they’re in poverty and they don’t think there will be presents on Christmas morning. The story continues to follow the sisters through their transition to adulthood. This book would make a lovely gift for any young woman on your gift list.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take your pick of the bunch because you really can’t go wrong with these timeless classics.  Grab your reading glasses and a blanket and your heart with these classic Christmas reads.

Author bio: Ashley is a senior at Indiana University.  She writes for Affordable Style and gets to show her love for Christmas as a holiday sales lead at Express.

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