If life is tough for your family right now, keep everyone’s spirits up by planning a daily celebration. Dress the table for dinner each night. Set a beeswax candle or some item from nature in the center. Depending on the ages of your children, play a word game or two. Take some time to reconnect by asking those close to you, “What made you happy today?”

Resolve to surprise one family member each day by gifting them with something special—a promise for fresh baked cookies, 15 minutes snuggling, or a bike ride, for example. Whether your family numbers two, three, or a dozen, earth-friendly gifts like these are free acts of love and kindness that will always be appreciated. Most importantly, take a vow to each day celebrate what you have rather than focus on what you don’t.

-Lynn and Corey Colwell, mother-daughter duo and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family.