Yes the day after Christmas is the busiest day of the year for returns and exchanges.  Just imagining the lines at customer service is agonizing.  However, if you've received a gift that isn't 100% and it needs to be returned or exchanged there is a way to make it fun.  It's simple; add a positive note for the next customer who buys the item you're exchanging.  For instance; If it's an article of clothing, stick the note in a pocket, a book - slip the note between the pages.  If its an appliance slide your message in the box through the narrow slit where the box is sealed.  If you've opened the box, then before you reseal it place the note in the instruction manual or right on top of the item.  Now if it is an item that is defective and needs to be replaced add a positive note complimenting the employee who will receive it back at the factory.  If some of your friends have items to return as well become partners in crime.  If you've got kids, get them involved.  They'll love doing this with you.  It's always more fun when you have an army of co-conspirators.

This simple practice transforms the burden of returning gifts into a wonderful adventure where you get to participate as an undercover agent of good will.  Long after you've made your returns you'll find yourself reflecting back on your mission and smiling as you wonder how your unexpected surprise was received.

Here's how to get started.

All you'll need are the following:
A pen, marker, crayon, or pencil &
3 x 5 cards or small sheets of paper.

Next write your anonymous compliment. 
Personally I like to keep them simple, like these;

"You look great when you smile."

"Your dream is worth it."

"Someone is thinking about how special you are."

"You look really good today."

"You have plenty of talent, skill and ability to do whatever it is you desire."

That's it!  Now you've got all you need to start on the adventure of many happy returns.

My wife's roller derby teammate, Martine Tiggz Tendler, is a Facebook friend of mine and just posted, "Happy Hanukkah! Tell me your Hebrew name. Mine's "Malka Shayna." 

Although I'm not Jewish, I began to wonder if I had a Hebrew name?  This gave me a wonderful feeling.  A strong contrast to the strange feelings I would have during this time of year as a kid.  It was the only time I felt different from my friends: we had Christmas and they had Hanukkah.  Why was there a difference?  Did it matter?  I would ask my Italian-American father all sorts of questions.  "Santa still visits "Karate Joe" (my friend Joseph), right?"  Then I heard a rumor that my Jewish friends didn't just get one day of presents, they got eight!  All this caused confusion and made me feel different than my otherwise close friends.  The good news was - once we were back at school after the New Year and showing off and bragging about the gifts we got, whether it was through Hanukkah or Christmas, it mattered very little.  Once again life returned to the way in which I believe God intended: all inclusive.

So this feeling of wonder that Tiggs inspired urged me to set out and see if I could discover if I had a Hebrew name.  And I do!  Yes, there is a website where all I had to identify myself as either "Yalda" (girl) or "Yeled" (boy), type in my name, "Darrell," click on "Let's ask God..." and sure enough, just like I suspected, I have a Hebrew name and it's "Mordechai."  What's yours?
If you don't know already aren't you curious?  Click here and discover your Hebrew name.  It's easy, and fun.

Thank you Martine Tiggz Tendler.  Your innocent inquiry holds the true spirit of this holiday season, which is the simple and wonderful reminder that - "We're all in this together."

Wishing all my friends, family, and all those that read this, the gift of happiness.

_I stepped out of my car and as I was about to step up and on to the sidewalk I noticed a old photograph of a man laying in the curb.  The man's smile was irresistible.  I had to pick it up.  I turned the picture over to look for identification but there wasn't any.  Stamped on the back was "Photo Post Card" along with three handwritten dates and to the left of each date was a corresponding word.  After reading and re-reading the dates and words I kept turning the photo back over to look at this man.  A photo of a man with the tools of his trade and by the looks of it proud of his profession.  From the type of shirt he is wearing and what appears to be a scale weighing a bowling ball I imagined he was employed at a bowling alley.  The fact that this photo was made into a photo post card made me conclude he had family back in the "old country" with whom he wished to share his success with.  He certainly looks Italian to me.  Funny, this stranger's photo brought to mind a photo post card my grandfather made of himself.  My grandfather too was an Italian immigrant and now I feel certain why he had his photo post card made.  It was to do the same as this man: share concrete proof with those back home that it's true - the American dream is a reality!  That along with the three handwritten dates and words is enough for me to appreciate this man's wonderful life story.  The dates and words are as follows; "1974 Manager, 1984 Owner, 1994 Retired"

Looking at the photograph I imagine him as young man coming to America with the dream of a successful life.  A life with greater potential than he believed possible in his country of origin.  I can see him in my mind's eye him bumbling through his first day at the job, embarrassed at times but determined to master it.  His dream is greater than any obstacle he encounters.  He believes in the American dream.  He believes it is true.  It is this belief that keeps him enthusiastic in spite of any hardship.  I can hear the sound of the bowling pins being knocked down, the heavy balls rolling down the wooden lane, the planks creaking slightly under the ball's weight as it rolls over them, the sound of the pins being swept out of the way and reset by the machines that are designed to do that, and the roll and "clunk" when the ball ends up back in line for the next time down the lane.  I can smell the unmistakable ever present smell of wood, rubber, and machine oil - that bowling alleys have.  As seasons pass I see him cheerfully performing his duties, when the owner informs him that he is being given a promotion putting him in a position of greater responsibility.  I imagine the years passing and his family growing up around him.  Then the big news!  He races home to his wife enthusiastic to share an incredible opportunity.  He wants to buy the business he's been working for - now up for sale.  It's a huge risk.  His wife is concerned and scared but trusts him, she loves him.  So far the American dream has proved to be a reality and with that they take a leap of faith.  He does his best and things go well, he is proud yet generous business owner.  Their kids grow up and bring grand kids who love spending time with grandpa at the bowling alley.  And finally, he and his wife, old and gray, who look forward to having their now large and extended American family at their home for the holidays. 

I still have his photo.  It's safe in a box along with personal photos I cherish. If someone asked me, "Do you know this man?"  I would answer, "Yes, I feel like I do."