Before you know it, the sound of sleigh (雪橇) bells will be heard on your rooftop. If you love the holidays but hate the cold, why not wear your coat and wool gloves this year and celebrate a warm Christmas?

Beaufort, South Carolina

Beaufort is a small town with a huge heart and is located in heart of the Lowcountry. It is close to Savannah and Charleston, and a short drive to the beaches of Hilton Head Island. Its location is great for visiting the larger cities and enjoying the sights and sounds of a small town. December temperatures average in the low 60s.

Orlando, Florida

Enjoy everything in Orlando without the huge crowds of summer. Theme parks have special attractions this time of year, such as “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas”, but be aware that some of the special attractions require a separate ticket. Orlando temperatures average around 72 degrees in December.

San Francisco, California

The City by the Bay comes alive in December as it transforms into a wonderland of lights. Stay near Union Square so you are close to all the activities and can easily get around via the historic cable cars. San Francisco’s December temperatures average in the high 50s.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Celebrate Christmas season in the Big Easy. The Oaks, visited by over 122,000 people last year, has one of the most beautiful Christmas exhibitions in the country. Many hotels in the area offer Papa Noel specials, making this a very affordable holiday destination. December temperatures average in the 60s.

Too many people want others to be their friends, but they don’t give friendship back. That is why some friendships don’t last very long. To have a friend, you must learn to treat your friend the way you want your friend to treat you. Learning to be a good friend means learning three rules: be honest; be generous; be understanding.

Honesty is where a good friendship starts. Friends must be able to trust one another. If you don’t tell the truth, people usually find out. If a friend finds out that you haven’t been honest, you may lose your friend’s trust. Good friends always rely on one another to speak and act honestly.

Generosity means sharing and sharing makes a friendship grow. You don’t have to give your lunch money or your clothes,  of course．Instead you have to learn how to share things you enjoy, like your hobbies and your interests. Naturally you will want to share your ideas and feelings. These can be very valuable to a friend. They tell your friend what is important to you. By sharing them you help your friend know you better.

Sooner or later everyone needs understanding and help with a problem. Something may go wrong at school. Talking about the problem can make it easier to solve. Turning to a friend can be a first step in solving the problem.

So to be a friend, you must listen and understand. You must try to put yourself in your friend’s place so you can understand the problem better.

No two friendships are ever exactly alike. But all true friendships have three things in common. If you plan to keep your friendships, you must practice honesty, generosity and understanding.

I really love this saying, “Love is endless and unlimited.” For me, there’s a story behind it. When I used to hand out chocolates with beautiful paper bags, my friends always told me, “You are wasting time and money. No one here believes in nameless gifts.” To be honest, I have noticed that people here do donate (捐赠)in temples. They give food to the poor, and provide clothes and other things for whoever is in need.

I think maybe I am the one who starts to think of the dogs in our neighborhood. When I moved into this new community, I noticed that there were two street dogs. They were wounded and homeless, and everyone used to stay away from them and hit them when they came any closer. They were becoming thinner and thinner and they would did of hunger sooner or later.

But my habit of loving dogs has changed all these things. I began to walk close to them and give them food regularly. When I touched their heads and gave love to them, I could see tears in their eyes. My friends noticed, and now even kids and elders in the community provide them with food and also love them. I am really glad to see that I saved their lives.

What I started will lead to beautiful memories with them. They enjoy playing with me and they even have a particular pose when they see me. I see a sparkle in their eyes and a smile on their faces. They are priceless for me.

In the hallways between classes, on the playground or on the school bus, bullying (欺凌) can happen anywhere.     11    . If you are being bullied, here are some tips to help you defend yourself.

Make a parent aware of the situation. Your parents can often speak out on your behalf to the teachers and school administrators, and they may be able to have a talk with the parents of the aggressor (好斗者).     12    . Many kids, especially those who are not very popular, may have a few teachers they really like. If you have someone like this at the school, talk to this person about the bullying incidents.

Stop being a victim (受害者). You don’t have to act like a victim just because you have been the victim of bullying. This gives the aggressor more power over you and the situation. Walk with your head held high, your chin up and your back straight.     13    ; this makes it harder for someone to think of you weak.

    14    . Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. Stay away from students who seem to be trouble-makers. When a bully approaches you, it’s a good idea to stand near a teacher or any adult to prevent them from teasing and taunting (嘲讽).

Learn self-defence.     15    . These types of skill-based training courses not only help you defend yourself physically against aggressors, but they also teach you to avoid harmful environments, how to read unsafe people and how to prevent a fight before it starts.