Well, here we are at the onset of yet another holiday season.
The turkey is eaten and the leftovers have probably appeared in every new possible recipe one can create or find online.
So, now we are on the downslope to Christmas. I say “downslope” because I’ve been seeing Christmas decorations everywhere since Halloween!!! If it weren’t for the big Thanksgiving dinners and grocery special store ads, I think if Iblinked it would have passed me right by.
It seems as though we are breezing through the holidays faster and faster with each year that passes. They come and go almost without thought of their true meaning. By the time the actual day arrives, we’ve been inundated with ads, specials, sales and hype, we can often lose some of the celebration exitement.
My only saving grace is to approach the holidays at MY pace, trying not to get caught up in the commercialism, and concentrate on the important parts of the season. Family, fellowship, love and hope come to mind. Especially in the difficult times we are experiencing, these become my priorities.
I also find that my gift giving thoughts are heading in a more traditional direction, too. Homemade gifts have been my primary searches on line and there are so many ways to individualize gifts. For instance, do a family gift basket so that they can all enjoy your choice and remember you while they’re indulging. Such as a Christmas morning breakfast basket filled with everything they need to cozy up to a warm home cooked meal. There are so many options. Maybe a large decorative mixing bowl filled with pancake mix, a few flavored syrups and jellies,
muffins, cocoa mix, some coffees, a mixing spoon and they’re on their way. Even a basket with spaghetti or lasagna fixins, a bottle of wine and some glasses would be welcome. Have a movie buff in the family? How about putting together a video, popcorn, a variety of old-time movie candies, and a couple of sodas for a nice quiet evening at the old homestead?
Once you start, the possibilities are endless and can only grow from there. Even if you still want your friends and families to be able to tear into a gift… consider knitting a holiday scarf (the easiest think on earth), take one of your favorite pics of them and photo shop them into a festive or funny holiday scene, or get everyone a silly pair of holiday socks.
No matter how you chose to celebrate or what you do, make it safe and happy!
