| How to Hang Christmas Lights Inside Windows Posted: 03 Dec 2019 04:00 PM PST Putting up Christmas lights inside your home is a great way to get into the holiday spirit! Plus, they will make the interior of your home feel cozy and cheerful. Whether you want to avoid the difficulties of trying to put up lights in the cold, or just hope to make your house look festive inside and out, hanging Christmas lights in your windows is a simple way to decorate for the best season of the year! [Edit]Finding the Correct Lights - Measure the edges of the windows where you want to hang the lights. That way, you'll know how many strands of what size you need to fully outline all your windows. Use a measuring tape to get exact measurements, as you don't want to be a few inches or centimeters short of making your window look perfect.[1]
- Make sure there's a power outlet nearby to plug the lights into if you don't plan on using battery-operated lights.
- Choose mini-lights or C6 lights to better outline your windows. There are other types of Christmas light bulbs available to use as well, if you'd prefer to lend your windows a slightly different aesthetic. For example, LEDs have a more bluish tint. There are also wide-angle LEDs, transparent, ceramic, globe, net lights, and RGB LEDs.[2]
- Not only are mini-lights cheap, but the light they give off is more ethereal and delicate since they're smaller.
- C6 lights are the smallest version of the traditional strawberry-shaped Christmas bulb, so they look classic without being overwhelming.
- Pick battery operated LEDs for a cleaner look. Sometimes, seeing an extension cord attached to the lights can ruin the look of a wonderful display. Furthermore, because battery-operated lights don't use electricity, they give off less heat and are less likely to pose a fire hazard.[3]
- Match your wires to the woodwork of your window. If you have white woodwork, a string of Christmas lights with green wire will stand out and be less subtle than a string with white wire. Dark woodwork requires darker wire.[4]
- If the wires match the woodwork, the lights themselves will be more emphasized.
- The shorter the distance between each lightbulb, the denser the lights will be and the more focus will be taken away from the wires.
- Test that your lights and cords are working. You don't want to get them all set up, only to plug them in and discover a section of the lights are dark. All you have to do is plug the lights into an outlet and make sure each bulb is glowing.
- If one of the bulbs is broken or dim, see if you can purchase a replacement bulb rather than an entirely different strand of lights.
- Frayed or otherwise damaged cords are a safety hazard and should not be used at all.[5]
[Edit]Putting Up the Lights - Purchase plastic stick-on clips/hooks for the inside of the window frame. The clips will be easy to remove at the end of the holiday season and won't damage your windows or leave behind sticky residue. These can be found at most hardware stores.[6]
- Each window usually requires 6-8 clips.[7]
- Place the plastic clips on the inside of the window frame. To do this, remove the backing from one side of the adhesive strip and press that side firmly on the window frame. Wait 30 seconds, then remove the paper from the second side of the adhesive and press the flat end of the plastic clip against the second side.
- You only need to place the clips on the top and sides of the window frame.
- The clips should be about apart and spaced out regularly.[8]
- Let the clips set for at least an hour. If you hang anything on them prior to the time running out, the clips may come down. That might damage not just the window frame from the clips being removed incorrectly, but also the Christmas lights if they are dropped from a substantial height onto a hard surface.[9]
- Slide the lights into the clips. Squeeze the wires of the string of Christmas lights into each clip. Then, work your way carefully around the window frame, squeezing more wires into place as you go.
- Try to get the light bulbs to all face in the same direction.[10]
- Add additional decorations to the window, if you'd like. For example, you can place some battery operated candles on the windowsill or some festive garlands. If the garlands come with their own lights, make sure you like how they look in conjunction with the ones around the window.
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| How to Stop Watery Eyes Posted: 03 Dec 2019 08:00 AM PST Watery eyes can be very irritating, and they might be due to anything from allergies to bacterial infections. Regardless of what's bothering your eyes, there are several things you can do to stop them from watering. Common remedies include removing potential environmental eye irritation triggers, such as dust, pollen, pollution, and makeup, along with washing the skin around your eyes and eyelashes, gently rinsing your eyes with water, using eye drops, and using a warm compress. If these remedies don't work, see your doctor, who may be able to diagnose and treat the problem. There are also some things that you can do to prevent watery eyes, such as wearing goggles, wearing sunglasses, and wearing your own makeup. [Edit]Soothing Irritated Eyes - Flush your eye gently with water if you have a foreign object or debris in it. If you have something stuck in your eye, it may be causing your eye to water. Flush your eye out with water to attempt to remove the object or debris. Hold your eye open under a gentle stream of lukewarm running water. You can also do this in the shower by allowing the water to hit your forehead and holding your eye open as the water runs down your face. Or, you can wash your eye with an eyewash station or an eyecup.[1]
- Do not try to pull a foreign object out of your eye with your fingers or tweezers.
- Seek medical attention if you're certain there's something in your eye and flushing it with water does not work.[2]
- Use eye drops or artificial tears if your eyes are dry. Dryness can actually cause your eyes to water more than usual. Eye drops moisten and lubricate the eyes, which may decrease the production of tears. To use eye drops, tilt your head back and pull down your lower eyelid with you fingertip. Hold the eye drop bottle away from your eyes. Do not allow the bottle tip to touch your eyes. Squeeze the bottle to dispense an eye drop into your open eye and repeat 2 to 3 times.[3]
- You can purchase eye drops over-the-counter at a drug store.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for how often to use eye drops.
- Remove your contact lenses if you wear them. If you wear contact lenses and your eyes are watering, try removing your contact lenses. Contacts can make watery eyes worse while also potentially preventing eye drops from working. Talk to your ophthalmologist if you think your contacts might be to blame for your watery eyes.[4]
- Follow your eye doctor's instructions for keeping your contact lenses clean. If you use disposable contact lenses, never wear them more than once. Always dispose of them after use.
- Never sleep with your contact lenses in unless your eye doctor says it is okay.
- Avoid wearing your contact lenses when swimming or showering.
- Make an eye compress to soothe irritated eyes. First, remove any eye makeup you have on, and wash your face and the skin around your eyes. Then, hold a clean washcloth under warm to hot water, and squeeze out the excess water. Lie down or recline in a chair, and lay the washcloth across your closed eyes. Keep the cloth in place for 5 to 10 minutes.[5]
- Repeat 3 to 4 times per day to soothe your eyes.
- Warm compresses help to remove crust from the eyes while also working to loosen up anything that might be blocking your tear ducts. They also help to reduce the redness and irritation that often comes with watery eyes.
[Edit]Getting Help from Your Doctor - Talk to your doctor about antihistamines for watery eyes from allergies. Taking an antihistamine, or allergy pill, can help to reduce eye irritation caused by allergies. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure about whether your watery eyes are the result of allergies and if antihistamines might be helpful for your watery eyes.[6]
- The most common antihistamine drug is the capsule form of diphenhydramine, which is taken orally. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for how to take this medication.[7]
- Ask your doctor about antibiotics for a bacterial eye infection. If you go to see a doctor about your watery eyes, they may prescribe an antibiotic if they suspect that you have a bacterial eye infection. Bacterial infections respond well to antibiotics; however, if your watery eye is caused by a virus, the doctor might not prescribe any medication and will ask you to wait for a week to see whether the condition improves or not.[8]
- The most common antibiotic prescribed for watery eyes is tobramycin. Tobramycin is an antibacterial eye drop drug specifically made for eye infection. Use the medication as directed by your doctor. Usually, this means you apply 1 drop of tobramycin on the affected eye twice a day for 7 days — once in the morning and once in the evening before going to sleep.[9]
- Consider the medications you are taking that might cause eye watering. Some medications can cause watery eyes as a side effect. Check the labels of your prescription medications and ask your doctor if you are not sure. If watery eyes is a lasting side effect of a medication you are taking, talk to your doctor about the possibility of switching to something else. Do not stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor first. Some common types of medicine that may cause watery eyes include:[10]
- Epinephrine
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Cholinergic agonists
- Some eye drops, such as echothiophate iodide and pilocarpine
- Discuss other possible causes of watery eyes with your doctor. There are a wide variety of medical conditions that can cause watery eyes. If you have not been able to determine the cause of your watery eyes, ask for help from your doctor. Some conditions that may cause watery eyes include:[11]
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Allergic rhinitis
- Blepharitis (inflamed eyelids)
- Blocked Tear Duct
- Common Cold
- Ingrown Eyelashes
- Pink Eye
- Hay Fever
- Sty
- Tear duct infection
- Talk to your doctor about procedures to treat blocked tear ducts. If you are having frequent problems with watery eyes due to plugged tear ducts, you may need to have an irrigation, intubation, or surgical procedure to clear the blockage. These options would only be required if other methods of clearing the blockage did not work or your watery eyes are chronic. Some options may include:[12]
- Punctal dilation. If tears cannot properly drain through the tear duct openings, punctal dilation may be done. The ophthalmologist will apply local anesthesia on the affected eye. An instrument will be used to widen the opening of the tear duct so that the tears can drain properly through it.[13]
- Stenting or intubation. In this procedure, the doctor threads a piece of thin tubing through one or both of your tear ducts. The tubing widens the opening of your tear ducts, which makes it easier for tears to drain. The tubes are left in for about 3 months. This procedure may be performed under local or general anesthesia.[14]
- Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). DCR is a surgical procedure that may be required if a less invasive method does not work. DCR creates a new channel for tears to drain through. The surgeon uses the existing tear sac in your nose to create the channel. DCR requires local or general anesthesia.[15]
[Edit]Protecting Your Eyes - Protect your eyes from foreign objects and debris with goggles. Make sure that you wear goggles or other protective eyewear when working with chemicals, power tools, or around lots of airborne particulates, such as sawdust. These materials can become lodged in your eyes and cause your eyes to water. Wearing goggles will also help protect your eyes from large or small objects that might hit you in the eye and cause damage.[16]
- You can purchase goggles in a hardware store. Choose a pair that protects your eyes from all sides.
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun. Sunglasses shield your eyes from harsh UV rays that can cause your eyes to water. Sunglasses can also act as a shield against particles and other debris that gets swept up by the wind and could potentially blow into your eyes.[17]
- Before putting on your sunglasses, make sure that you wipe off any dust that might have collected on them.
- Run an air purifier in your home to reduce environmental irritants. An air purifier can help to filter out dust and other potential irritants in the air. Try keeping an air purifier in a central area of your home and running it during the day, or placing an air purifier in your bedroom and running it at night.[18]
- This may be especially helpful if you suffer from indoor allergies, such as dust and pet dander.
- Cleanse your eyes thoroughly to remove eye makeup or avoid using it. Avoid eyeliner and any eye makeup you apply along the waterline. Applying makeup to these areas of your eyes can irritate your eyes. Also, not cleansing your eyes thoroughly after wearing any kind of eye makeup may result in plugged tear ducts along your lash line.[19]
- Use a gentle facial cleanser to wash your face and then wipe your eyes with a washcloth to wipe away any remaining eye makeup.
- Take care when disposing of tissues or washcloths you have used to wipe your eyes. If you have a bacterial or viral infection, you can spread the infection to someone else if they come in contact with your tissue or washcloth.
[Edit]Warnings - If your watery eyes persist, see a doctor. You may have a viral or bacterial infection.
- Avoid activities that require good vision, like driving, until your eyes stop watering. Having watery eyes can make vision-oriented activities difficult or even dangerous.
- Don't use perfumes, hair sprays, and other scented aerosol products. These can cause your eyes to water.
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| How to Give Posted: 03 Dec 2019 12:00 AM PST Giving is extremely rewarding, and most of us really want to lend a helping hand. Lending a helping hand doesn't have to mean giving money. Everyone can donate their time, compassion, or even patience to someone else. To get started on a giving journey, think about the different things you have to give (money, possessions, time, compassion), and focus on ways to make giving a habit. Then, jump into action by giving your time as a volunteer, donating goods or money, giving to friends and family, and furthering your giving mindset. [Edit]Donating Money or Possessions to Charity - Donate old clothing and household goods to charity. Most homes are filled with items that go unused all year round. By donating old items to charity, you can declutter your space and contribute to a good cause all at once! There are many national and local organizations that will accept your old household items (from clothing to kitchen appliances to furniture) and give them to those in need.
- Consider donating to your local Goodwill, which operates as a kind of thrift shop and provides job training to the unemployed. In 2017, Goodwill placed more than 288,000 people into jobs through extensive job training efforts.[1]
- You could also donate to the Salvation Army, which provides disaster relief and help to the homeless; Vietnam Veterans of America, which helps veterans; Operation Give, which distributes supplies abroad; or any number of national and local organizations.
- Gather up old books to give to literacy projects. Most of the books on our bookshelves sit there, lonely and unopened, for years at a time. Declutter your bookshelves and put your books to good use in the fight for global literacy. Many local, national, and even international organizations will accept your books and donate them to kids and adults who are learning to read, or provide them to people who don't have access to new books, like soldiers or prisoners.[2]
- International Book Project, the Global Literacy Project, and Darien Book Project are a few examples of organizations fighting for literacy in the US and abroad.
- Books Through Bars sends books to prisoners, while Books for Soldiers directs books overseas to US military.
- Give away old electronics, professional clothes or sports equipment to specialized non-profits. If you think something couldn't possibly be useful to an organization, think again. There are thousands upon thousands of organizations coming up with ways to recycle and treasure old items, and you can help them fulfill their missions with your old stuff.[3]
- Instead of sending old electronics to the landfill, you can give old video games to Games for Heroes, computer supplies to World Computer Exchange, and even used cell phones to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
- For old sports equipment, you can donate to a number of organizations, including Bicycles for Humanity, One World Running, and Bikes for the World.
- Donate old suits to Career Gear, Dress for Success, or the Women's Alliance, to help provide professional clothing to low-income individuals who are job searching.
- Contribute money to charity regularly if you have the extra funds. If you have gotten to a point in your life where you are comfortably earning and spending money without debt, try establishing a giving allowance in your monthly budget. Maybe you can cut down on personal spending in one area, like dining out or buying to-go coffees, to find some extra giving money.[4]
- If you're totally new to budgeting, the first step is to create a budget (or a budget spreadsheet).
- When donating money, choose effective organizations to financially support. Charity Navigator, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and GiveWell are examples of organizations which rank the effectiveness and accountability of charities to help you maximize the possible difference you can make when you donate.
- Chip in to disaster relief efforts in times of crisis. Whenever there is a tsunami, an earthquake, or any other kind of natural disaster, multiple organizations will spring into action to provide relief in the affected areas. Be on the lookout for ways you can help, like donating money, clothes, or food, whenever something shows up in the news that will affect a lot of people.
- You want to make sure the money you're donating is going to as many people as possible, so research the track record and the effectiveness of the charity you're donating to.
[Edit]Giving Your Time as a Volunteer - Find sporadic volunteer opportunities if you have a busy schedule. A hectic schedule can make volunteering seem intimidating, but you really only need a couple of hours for many volunteer opportunities. For example, you could volunteer at a park or beach clean-up, spend a few hours organizing cans at a food pantry, or spend a weekend working on a habitat house.[5]
- VolunteerMatch.org, Idealist.org, and HandsOn Network are all good websites to search for volunteer opportunities in your area.
- When political campaigns are going on, you can volunteer your time to support a local candidate in an election. All campaigns need people to man the phones and help others register to vote.
- A lot of volunteering organizations aren't going to be picky about how much time you give them. They will appreciate a few hours here and there if you're doing good work.
- Find recurring volunteer positions to give back to your community. Going back week after week is the best way to get invested in a cause and build relationships with those you are working for and serving.[6] Search online sites like Volunteer Match for recurring tutoring gigs, teaching fellowships, or fundraising positions at local and national organizations.
- Choose volunteer jobs that take advantage of your talents. For example, if you're musical, you could sing or play at nursing homes. With sports skills, you can coach a sport on a volunteer basis, perhaps working with special needs kids or underserved communities.[7]
- Inquire about volunteer positions at local non-profits. Call or email local non-profits, working on issues like poverty, homelessness, or animal welfare in your area, and ask if there are ways you can help. Some national organizations, like the YMCA and the Red Cross, consistently need volunteers and are great places to engage with your community.[8]
- On top of being a great way to give back, volunteering can also give you invaluable experience working in a field or cause you're excited about.
- Volunteering can also be a good way to see if certain career paths would be a good fit for you. Volunteering in hospitals, for example, could help you decide whether you might in the future want to pursue medicine.
- Serve in a full-time volunteer position, like the Peace Corps. It is possible to spend 1-2 years working full-time in a volunteer position. These kinds of positions allow you to make a more sustainable impact on people than once-a-week volunteering jobs. In the Peace Corps, volunteers spend two years in another country, working on a specific sector of development, like education, health, or agriculture.
- Teach for America is a well recognized volunteer organization in the US, where volunteers spend two years working as teachers in public schools and receive teacher training.[9]
- To make an impact on a place that is sustainable, it is important to do your research, work with a quality organization, and spend time getting to know a place before you jump in to help.
- Be wary of "voluntourism," or going to other countries for short periods of time to serve, which sometimes does more harm than good.[10]
[Edit]Sharing Gifts with Friends and Family - Give friends and family gifts on holidays or birthdays. Even though material gifts aren't the most important thing you can give a person, a carefully selected present can brighten a holiday or birthday. Pay attention to what your friends, family, and significant others enjoy in their daily life and use that knowledge to give them personal gifts.
- Think about what food and drinks your friend loves. For example, if your friend is a total coffee lover, you can buy them really quality coffee beans.
- Think about other things your friend enjoys, like certain books or movies, and come up with gifts that relate to those. You could get them a Princess Bride T-Shirt or a pair of Game of Thrones socks, for example.
- When you can't think of something personal, go with something classic, like ice-cream or flowers.
- Make your friends homemade gifts for an affordable, personal option. If giving a gift to a close friend, create a photo collage, make them a CD mix with songs you both love, or write them a poem about your friendship. Making gifts yourself shows you put in effort into the gift giving process, and your friend, teacher, parent, or sibling will definitely appreciate it.
- Purchase small trinkets to give to friends when you're traveling. This can be a nice way to let people know you were thinking about them on your journey. To make it more special, buy something you know the person will value, like a painting, or get them something they can eat or drink, like tea or coffee.
- Most people don't want to accumulate a bunch of random trinkets, so choose something special that you know your friend will enjoy.
- Give special gifts randomly and "just because." Sometimes there's nothing better than receiving a gift just because someone thought of you. For instance, if you see a book your friend has been talking about wanting to read, you could buy it for them as a surprise.
- Letters, postcards, and care packages are another great "just-because" kind of gift to give someone. Especially if you are far from a friend, these items can help you communicate and stay connected.
- You can also give your friends "rainy-day" gifts for when they're not doing too well. If you know your friend's favorite ice cream flavor, give them a carton of that ice cream on a bad day to make that person smile.
[Edit]Practicing Giving Daily - Provide support to people in your life. When you have the ability to help someone through a difficult time, be there for them in whatever way you can. You can provide support by listening, driving someone somewhere they need to go, offering advice, or comforting them when they're sad.
- Always be honest when giving advice. If you have no experience with the difficulty the other person is dealing with, say so.
- Or, just listen. Oftentimes, people simply need a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.
- Give praise to those who deserve it. Everyone needs a little encouragement sometimes. Giving an honest word of praise without being prompted can help boost the receiver's self-esteem and self-confidence, even on a bad day.[11]
- The praise you give should always be honest. Insincere praise can do more harm than good.
- Show patience with people and loved ones. Even the best of people will have an "off" day every now and then. Do your best to be understanding and patient with someone in a bad mood. The gift of patience might be exactly what that person needs to calm down.
- If you find that patience is impossible for you at some point in time, consider stepping away from the situation. Spend some time calming yourself down before dealing with this person again.
- Grant respect and kindness to the people around you. Respect and kindness are two of the most basic gifts you can give someone, and they're also two of the most important. Show respect and kindness to everyone, not just to people who are "above you" in a hierarchy or who are your elders. Treat everyone, from a homeless man on the corner to a CEO with respect and compassion.
- Treat people with sincerity. Don't answer seriousness with sarcasm.
- Any action meant to demean or cut someone down should be left behind.
- Empathizing with others can help you treat them with kindness. Consider people's situations and empathize with the fact that people can have hard days.[12]
- Develop a generous attitude towards others. To further your giving mindset, take note of reasons you have to be grateful, maintain a positive attitude, and spend time with generous people. It's important to believe in your own ability to positively impact the lives of others. Giving will be easier if you trust that your contribution will make a difference.
- For daily practice, try writing down three things you are grateful for each day in a journal.
- Friends and family influence you more than you might realize. When you surround yourself with generous people, their giving nature will begin to rub off on you.
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