Paying the Magic Forward on Giving Tuesday

Tomorrow is “Giving Tuesday” where – after several days of giving thanks, and officially beginning the holiday shopping season – we take some time to “give back” and focus on helping others during this most magical time of the year.

There’s no question that this year has been tough in so many ways for so many folks. Countless families have dealt with COVID-related health issues, and many have tragically lost a loved one as a result of the pandemic. Economic hardships are also widespread with lines for food banks stretching for miles in some cases, as families deal try to cope with having lost income. Many businesses continue to struggle with loss of business and have closed or are close to it. If there was ever a year that we need to give back, it is this year.

As this season of giving always coincides with the “birthday” of The Affordable Mouse, it’s been my tradition for the past 11 years to celebrate by “paying it forward”. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to share the love and passion that I have for Disney and travel with so many, and even more blessed to have had the honor to help my wonderful clients over the past 11 years create magical memories with their own families.

The best way that I know to celebrate is to give back.

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My 12 Days of Christmas, Disney-Style

(Editor’s Note: As Christmas is one week from today, I am taking the liberty of re-running a favorite Disney/Christmas post from years past – since I have yet to receive any of these gifts, maybe this year it will finally happen. I mean, a girl can hope, right? 🙂 )

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“On the First Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree…..”

And so goes the song, sharing what her (his?) True Love gave as gifts over the 12 Days of Christmas. While this traditional version finds the songwriter to be the lucky recipient of some pretty odd tokens of affection, (12 drummers drumming…..really? Sounds pretty noisy, and like something I would probably be returning.), it does make modern gift-givers in search of that perfect present wonder: What 12 items could I give my True Love?

Well if my wonderful hubby is reading, honey here is what you could get this particular Disney-lover for the 12 Days of Christmas. (And please note, unlike the original version, there is no need to repeat items over subsequent days – one of each is sufficient, thank you very much.) Read more

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Exploring Disney: Getting Creative with Your Christmas Goodies

Halloween was two days ago (hope you had a blast!) which means it is now Christmas. That’s just kind of how it works. We get a few precious weeks of pumpkins, skeletons, bats, and ghouls, and then just like Cinderella’s magic spell, at midnight it all changes. Only this time, the pumpkin goes away rather than coming back. Wake up the next morning and everything is jingle bells and bright red hats and goodwill toward men. Read more

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Disney with (Moms of) Little Ones

I normally focus these articles on how to make your trip to Disney World with young children even more spectacular, but I have to admit that I am a bit distracted and taking this post off track. I promise to get right back to it next month but guys!? I got my Mother’s Day gift about a month late and I’m swooning over here. Read more

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Disney Gift Giving: Belinda’s Wish List

One of my most favorite holidays of the year is fast approaching… Christmas. I love everything about it; the sights, the sounds, the music, the decorations and of course the fresh baked treats coming from the kitchen. I just love Christmas and the magic it brings to our home.  For me the magic of Christmas comes from the love of Disney that my husband and I share. Our home is filled with the sights and sounds of all things Disney; from the decorations abound to the Disney village that adorns our mantle. It is such an emotional and meaningful time of year and nothing makes it better than by being surrounded by Mickey and Minnie. Read more

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