Hi I'm Nicole. Kisses from Koula was created in honor and remembrance of my YiaYia (Yes, I'm Greek). She taught me through our many cooking lessons that sealing whatever you make with a kiss (adding love) is the MOST important ingredient. After a difficult year of much loss and many changes, as Christmas was approaching I wanted to give something to close friends and family that would serve as an encouragement. I knew that good things had happened during the year but they were overshadowed by the pain I was in. I LOVED the idea of creating a "Blessings Jar" it was exactly what I needed and was looking for - exactly what I wish I had throughout that year! I decorated and gave out "Blessings Jars" to 10 friends and family - explaining what their purpose was. I set a date for the following December that I would host a dinner party where we all would bring our jars, go through and share a few "blessings" with each other. After the year was through, we could save our "blessings" (creating a BEAUTIFUL legacy we can pass down) and start over again with the new year! From the original jars I gave out as gifts - word started to spread among other friends and their families and "Blessings Jars" have been in demand since, thus the birth of Kisses from Koula! What is a blessing? It's simple, something that has made you happy, brought you happiness! Some more ideas for YOUR jars: -Thanksgiving Jars- Create a new family tradition on THANKSGIVING! Record "blessings" throughout the year and on Thanksgiving go through your jars and share as a family.
-Engagement Jars- Give as a gift to a newly engaged couple to record the "blessings" leading up to their special day! -Wedding Jars- Give as a gift to a newlywed couple to record the "blessings" of their first year of marriage. On their 1st anniversary they can read through all they've both recorded and continue to practice this tradition every anniversary! -Remembrance Jars- Having a jar for someone you may have recently lost - allowing everyone in the family to write memories or thoughts of them.
-Expectant Parents/New Parents Jars- Recording in you jars the "blessings" leading up to birth or in the first years of life.
-New Beginnings Jars- Maybe your child just graduated high school, perhaps theirs a new job, new home - for al of life's beginnings - record the "blessings"! Blessings jars serve as a reminder to you and your loved ones of the many special moments and joys- big or small -that we too often forget or overlook. xo-Niki
