#holiday psa

[peggy-sue-reads-a-book]

With the holidays coming up this is everyone’s reminder to

Ask little kids if they’d like a hug first

If they say no, verbally affirm the reasonable shit you just heard. “You said you wouldn’t like a hug. We won’t hug.”

You don’t even have to redirect with a high five, even though that’s fine. Touching isn’t for everyone.

Do not say upsetting things like “where is my hug?” Clown, you don’t own hugs.

It is fine to model consent by placing boundaries on touch. “Let’s wash your hands before we cuddle.” “I’m leaving this couch if you continue to yeet your foot into my pregnant belly.” “that was fun but I’m going to take a break now.”

Touchy children are not inherently sweeter. Love languages exist at any age.

Some kids like touch but not eye contact. A hug from behind is a good one or “let’s close our eyes and squeeze really tight. Ready?”

I’m dead f*ing serious there are people who want your physical affection so badly but need you to modify your approach. Just like there are people who want to get into buildings but need ramps.

Don’t comment if a kid shows affection to another adult but not you. They’re weird like that but you don’t have to make it weirder.

[notfa-mousyet]

Remember to shake your big, mysterious balls of chocolate before biting into it, you never know what might be a hot chocolate bomb.

[24-7-testing]

The end of the year can be tough for a lot of people. My goal is to make it a little bit brighter! Announcing once again the return of..

The Portal Holiday Spirit Initiative!

To help bring a smile to people's faces this year, I am sending FREE Portal-Themed Holiday Cards to anyone who requests one!

This year's cards follow the same format as last year: there is only one card design, this time featuring artwork from your's truly! The cards are still customizable to any Winter Holiday of your choosing, but you'll have to wait for your card to arrive in order to customize it (the method takes cues from the Portal game's sense of humor, and is very much on-brand).

This year is PHSI's 6th year! I'm so grateful to everyone who has participated over the years, whether you've reblogged and shared, requested cards, helped with artwork, or helped in other ways. You all are so amazing! Thanks for volunteering your time, talents, and support to help make PHSI a special fandom tradition!

If you would like to receive a Portal-Themed Holiday Card:

Visit bit.ly/PHSI-2024 ...

Answer the questions in the forms...

Wait for your card to be sent!

It's that easy! Card Requests are now open, and close on December 20th in order to give me enough time to make and send all the cards before the end of the year. Please submit sooner rather than later so I have time to finish them all!

Also, please don’t be afraid to request a physical card if you don’t live in the US! The card service I use says they ship worldwide and, while it might take a bit longer for you to receive your card depending on what country you live in, the cards will get mailed to whatever address you provide, domestic or foreign. Last year I mailed/emailed a total of 111 cards to the United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Brazil, Romania, Poland, Australia, Germany, India, Japan, and New Zealand!

I’m glad to be a part of the Portal Fandom and hope to bring a smile to others in the Fandom this year, just as in years past! Designing and emailing Holiday Cards takes time and effort, and sending physical cards is expensive. While it isn't a requirement to receive a card, I would greatly appreciate if you'd like to give $4 to cover the cost of your card or someone else's. Please visit ko-fi.com/247testing and click the Donate button if you want to help out. Thanks!

Answers for common questions and concerns below:

Worried about providing a mailing address, for whatever reason?

PHSI has an eCard option! All you need to provide is a name for me to call you by and an email address to receive your card!

Worried about requesting a card because you don’t live in the US?

PHSI mails to any address provided, whether domestic or foreign! However, please wait patiently for your card, due to the current global rate of shipping.

Worried that you can’t give $4 to cover the cost of your card or someone else’s?

Requesting a card from PHSI has been and will always be FREE! However, giving $4 to the initiative helps me pay for the printing service and postage to mail physical cards. I gratefully appreciate any contributions received, even if it’s just a comment saying thanks!

Worried because you don’t know how to support the artist of the card you received?

The artist’s social media is listed on the back of every card featuring their artwork. Look them up, commission them, reblog their art, and support them however you can!

Worried because you haven’t received your card yet?

Double check your email inbox and junk folders. I send everyone an email that either confirms your Holiday Card has shipped or includes your eCard! Physical cards take 1-2 weeks to arrive. If your physical card fails to show up after the first week of January, please reach out to me and I’ll send you a replacement eCard!

Worried because you received your card and don’t know what to do now?

Make a post about it! Include pictures, videos, or anything you’d like, and tag me in the post (@24-7-testing) so I can reblog it! If you don’t want to show your card off, that’s ok too!

[fevekko]

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE RAGBROS !!

[thresholdbb]

I’d love to come to your holiday thing, but it’s really gonna cut into my Star Trek time…

[ltwilliammowett]

My dear lads and ladies and ships, the time has come for Christmas and I wish you all the best. Have lots of fun whether you are spending time with someone or alone. Have a good rest, have a nice drink, eat something nice and most importantly relax. I'll see you in a few days when I've survived the family… and then again with new history posts. Until then happy holidays everyone - much love to you, your Merle/Mowett 🎄💖

[ashthenerd]

Friendly reminder that even though I'm sure your decorations are lovely, please do not put them on a flashing setting. Photosensitive people should be allowed to enjoy Halloween and go outside their homes without worrying about their safety. Please be considerate and don't put flashing lights on display.

[zhongrin]

hello sweeties! i'm going back home today to take a whole two-weeks++ break from everything, which will probably include actively posting in general.

i might still pop in to ramble and scrumble sometimes, but i want to try harder to be present at the moment so i can spend lots of quality time with my family and recharge! meanwhile, my queue will run as per usual. if you leave any asks/replies/mentions, i may see it, but i might only reply once my mini-holiday concludes.

thank you always for your support and i hope to see you again all refreshed and de-stressed ✨🩷

[ask-ranma-and-ryoga]

WEEKLY UPDATES ALL DECEMBER!

🎄 In the spirit of giving, we’re switching up the schedule for the holidays! 🎄

🎁 From now until January 7th, there will be an update EVERY Sunday! 🎁

As always, Patreon members get early access to new updates, so the weekly schedule has already started for our lovely supporters. For as little as $1/month, you can get updates a week ahead of public release, along with other Patreon-exclusive perks! Heck, with enough support, we might even be able to stay on a weekly schedule permanently!

Hope everyone enjoys the holidays, with whatever they celebrate, and enjoy this next month of back-to-back Sunday updates ✨

[massivetittiesandwarcrimes]

With the holiday season approaching I thought I would put out this quick gifting PSA:

Do not, under ANY* circumstances, give any of the women, mothers, or wives in your family appliances, household goods, or things for the family/kids.

It is rude, dismissive, and sexist.

Gifts for birthdays and holidays are supposed to be about the person receiving them: giving a woman one of the above gifts sends the message, intentional or otherwise, that you do not view them as a person beyond whatever role they have in the family (homemaker/wife/mother).

Objectively, this also applies to any man, fathers, or husbands, but honestly I have never seen that happen to them.

I've seen plenty of wives and mothers be given new can openers or toys for their kids, but I've never seen a husband or dad be gifted a diaper bag or toaster.

Additionally, if you are going to buy makeup or beauty supplies of any kind for the women in your lives, for the Love of All that is Good and Holy (and to save you time, effort, and stress) bring the item with you**. The lipstick she likes? Bring the one she has with you. Her favorite shampoo? Take a picture or bring the empty bottle with you; don't worry about looking weird for carrying around trash or half open items from home, employees see it all the time. Trust me.

(*The only exception is if she looks you Directly in the eye and Explicitly says 'I would like [specific appliance/child care item] for the holiday i.e. playpen or new washer)

(**it's just like going to the hardware store: if you need a specific size screw, fixture, filter, or whatever, it is so SO much easier to bring the item you're replacing or need with you. It means you don't have to try to remember or describe to a helpful employee what you need.)

Oh! And one final note before I leave you: if you have any artist or crafters or hobbyists in your life (knitting, crochet, embroidery, beadwork, painting, woodworking, etc) do not just buy them something related to their hobby. Unless it is someone very new to the hobby who is just learning the ropes, I guarantee they have specific brands or tools or such that they use or need or want. And because many arts, crafts, and hobby things can be a bit pricey, it is safer and more efficient all around to either ask them very specifically about anything they want or need, take them with you, or simply get them a gift card to the store they prefer.

[brought to you by someone who has both A) Bought my mother some very nice and interesting yarn which she has never used because I only got her one skain and B) been gifted art supplies that I do not know how to use (pastels), already have plenty of (beading thread), and are completely wrong/useless for my needs (random selection of embroidery floss that is very pretty, but nothing I need for the current projects I have). Yes it is very nice that you are trying to do something for the artistic person in your life, and they will appreciate it because it is a gift and thoughtful, but if you want them to actually get use out of their gift, you're going to have to be a bit more strategic.]

[veidtveidtveidt]

Since there are a fair few new followers, just a heads-up that I am actively taking those password requests as usual. It's just that new Connie releases happen so rarely that I don't have anything to actively post about. But as usual, if there are any films you'd like, just drop me an ask and I'll bung the passwords your way.👍

[merrymusings]

although i love it , december can be an extremely lonely time of year for people ! so i'm posting my annual reminder/instructions of a very simple , inexpensive way to connect with peopled who may feel forgotten during the holiday season .

one of the easiest ways to make a lonely stranger's holiday season special is by sending christmas and holiday cards , especially patients in hospitals and residents in nursing homes who may not have family anymore or contact with the outside world . this has been my tradition for over a decade , i'm always shocked to find that others don't realize it's something you can do or how to do it - there's many ways and places to send cards , but here's an easy how-to for these two .

HOLIDAY CARDS TO NURSING HOMES —

this is very special because i've been told for some elderly , lonely residents , they don't even realize the cards are coming from strangers sometimes and they think they're from a loved one . for those who realize they're from a stranger , they'll appreciate them very much too !

cards can be handmade or not . typically i'll write a couple sentences about winter , staying warm , having a good holiday season , "sending love" etc. things like that . and sign my first name . you can mail a singular card with a stamp or package of cards to any nursing home and just address it like this :

ATTN: Activities Director to: any lonely resident/any resident (they wont really see the envelope) #### street address city, state, zipcode

if you're outside of the us , this system should work in your country too but obviously address it as you would there . if you don't know where to begin looking for nursing homes , just go to google maps , type in any city/town you want , and search "nursing homes" .

i always send mine completely random - i've been told they will all accept and be grateful . usually i hear nothing back but on rare occasions a staffer may mail a thank you note after christmas , just a heads up .

HOLIDAY CARDS TO HOSPITALS —

i don't do this as often so i don't know every rule ( like if you can just put "any resident" like with nursing homes ,) but !! there are lots of organizations you can mail cards to who will distribute it for you . here's a good one who works year round - you can send christmas/holiday cards or general ones throughout the year !

mail your card to : Cards for Hospitalized Kids 7290 W. Devon Ave. Chicago, IL 60631

this organization distributes the cards to patients , specifically children . they ask that you do not write "get better" "feel better" "get well soon" etc , as some patients are terminal and may never "get better" - this can be extremely upsetting . however , you may be encouraging such as "sending love" and "sending strength" ! also, do not include personal contact info ; only your first name/alias is needed . also , no glitter for these ones please . if you want more info on the organization , their site is here .

there are tons of ways to send cards and greetings to many different populations who really need a pick-me-up during this season , and info is readily available online . just wanted to share a quick couple ideas to spread cheer which impacts real people ! please spread the word , and don't forget to check on those you care about in your life because many people hurt and show no signs of it .

[aonokumura]

just a heads up I'm probably gonna reply to stuff kinda slow for the next few months 'cuz I've got a lot of credit hours for the first half of the semester, and I'm trying not to lose to adhd too quickly and fall behind in my studies ghsjfklsdkl so plz know it's nothing personal I'm just trying to pace myself and not get too distracted from schoolwork

[24-7-testing]

The end of the year can be tough for a lot of people. My goal? To make it a little bit brighter. That's why I'm pleased to once again announce the return of...

The Portal Holiday Spirit Initiative!

To help bring a smile to people's faces this year, I will be sending FREE Portal-Themed Holiday Cards to anyone who asks for one! There are a few changes to the cards this year because life has gotten very busy for me and I have less free time than in years past.

This year there will only be one card design, featuring artwork from one of the Portal Fandom's awesome artists! The cards will still be customizable to any Winter Holiday of your choosing, but you'll have to wait for your card to arrive in order to see how (the method takes cues from the Portal game's sense of humor, so it will very much be on-brand).

This year is also special because it is PHSI's 5th Anniversary! I can’t express the amount of thanks everyone who has participated over the years, whether you've reblogged and shared, requested cards, helped with artwork, or helped in other ways. You all deserve my recognition and thanks for volunteering your time, talents, and support! Thanks for helping to make PHSI a special fandom tradition!

If you would like to receive a Portal-Themed Holiday Card:

Visit bit.ly/PHSI-2023 ...

Answer the questions in the forms...

Wait for your card to be sent!

It's that easy! Card Requests are now open, and close on December 20th in order to give me enough time to make and send all the cards before the end of the year. Please submit sooner rather than later so I have time to finish them all!

Also, please don’t be afraid to request a physical card if you don’t live in the US! The card service I've chosen says they ship worldwide and, while it might take a bit longer for you to receive your card depending on what country you live in, the cards will get mailed to whatever address you provide, domestic or foreign. Last year I mailed/emailed a total of 164 cards to Italy, Canada, Germany, England, Poland, The US, The United Kingdom, Brazil, India, and Slovenia!

I’m happy to be a part of the Portal Fandom and hope to bring a smile to others in the Fandom this year! Making and emailing Holiday Cards takes time and effort, and sending physical cards is expensive. While it isn't a requirement to receive a card, I would greatly appreciate if you'd like to give $4 to cover the cost of your card or someone else's. Please visit ko-fi.com/247testing and click the Donate button if you want to help out. 

Also, feel free to DM me with any questions or comments. Thanks!

Answers for common questions and concerns under the cut:

Worried about providing a mailing address, for whatever reason?

PHSI has an eCard option! All you need to provide is a name for me to call you by and an email address to receive your card!

Worried about requesting a card because you don’t live in the US?

PHSI mails to any address provided, whether domestic or foreign! However, please wait patiently for your card, due to the current global rate of shipping.

Worried that you can’t give $4 to cover the cost of your card or someone else’s?

Requesting a card from PHSI has been and will always be FREE! However, giving $4 to the initiative helps me pay for the printing service and postage to mail physical cards (visit ko-fi.com/247testing if you’d like to contribute). I gratefully appreciate any contributions received, even if it’s just a comment saying thanks!

Worried because you don’t know how to support the artist of the card you received?

The artist’s social media is listed on the back of every card featuring their artwork. Look them up, commission them, reblog their art, and support them however you can!

Worried because you haven’t received your card yet?

Double check your email inbox and junk folders. I send everyone an email that either confirms your Holiday Card has shipped or includes your eCard! Physical cards take 1-2 weeks to arrive. If your physical card fails to show up after the first week of January, please reach out to me and I’ll send you a replacement eCard!

Worried because you received your card and don’t know what to do now?

Make a post about it! Include pictures, videos, or anything you’d like, and tag me in the post (@24-7-testing) so I can reblog it! If you don’t want to show your card off, that’s ok too!

[dante-winning-archive]

like vergil-losing, I'm going to be a little quiet for a few days at least. I'm absolutely wrung out from work and I just don't have much energy to be silly on the internet.

[curiositymemes]

Reminder to be kind to service workers and retail workers tomorrow (and every day)!