We tend to overindulge those we love  even more at this time of year. This makes it doubly important that we also teach them what  self gratification one can achieve by extending a hand to others. Teaching a child that it is just as much, if not more fun to give as to receive is one of the most valuable lessons we can teach them and one which will serve them well in years to come.

 Nothing can take the place of memories an old fashioned family christmas creates. Those memories never leave us and will always  sustain and cheer when most needed in the years ahead. Too often these days we take family for granted or discount their worth.  Nothing we encounter in the years ahead can ever replace the warmth of a family circle where love and mutual respect  go hand in hand.

Perhaps the pace of living or changing values in this fast paced society of the new millennium where the misery and suffering of others is served up each evening on the daily TV news shows has insulated us to a certain extent to the pain and suffering we and our children witness and too often accept as the norm. There is something about Christmas more than any other time of the year  which makes us want to make things better for those less fortunate than we are. There was a time that wasn't only true at Christmas time ... do you remember ?

Do you remember the tree decorating and the collection of decorations each child added to each year ? The fun it was to adorn that tree with each colourful bauble, and the pride  you felt as you placed it on the tree when it was one of yours ? And wasn't the anticipation a wonderful feeling as you waited with baited breath once the baubles were all in place for Mommy or Daddy to  turn on  all those multicoloured strings of lights?  That very first tree lighting always seemed so wonderful and the tree more beautiful by far than the year before. The evening we decorated the tree was always a  very special evening in our home and one which can still bring  a lump to my throat  in remembrance.

 Because I remembered those special times I made very sure my son would have similar memories which he hopefully would pass on to his own children in years to come. The years I was blessed  to share with my little boy added memories which far surpassed those of my childhood and which  can still fill me with a warmth which is indescribable. Nothing to date can match the feeling of well being which flooded my being as I saw the expression on his face as he sat curled up on the sofa gazing at the tree alight with colour and the star twinkling merrily at the very top. That evening was also always the evening the christmas cookies were baked so naturally snacks were the order of the day as each variety came out of the oven. Everyone knows cookies taste best when still warm from the oven.

 Yes, of course Christmas Eve was special, and Christmas morning the very much anticipated day, but my favourite few hours of the entire Christmas season were, and are, the evening the fir tree becomes a glittering, colourful  addition to our home. If you do not already do so, try making that evening a family project. It will provide memories you will cherish always in the years to come.

Another  idea I recommend. Find a child  or children not as fortunate as yours,  let your children help you select their new friend and encourage them to decide how best to brighten Christmas for that child. They may decide to make a homemade present or use their allowance to buy something special, or they may even decide that they prefer to donate money they have saved or earned to some organization which helps less fortunate children at Christmas. The secret is, they must do the deciding and they are totally responsible for  whatever special way they are going to accomplish this. You must not do it for them. To do so will dilute, if not negate their feeling they have made another happy. I guarantee they will gain far more than they give and the chances are better than good that they will continue this practice in years to come. And you will gain both ways. You have the pleasure of  knowing that because of your guidance your child has learned the value and reward of sharing with another plus you know you had a hand in seeing that  some child who might otherwise NOT have had a Happy Christmas  has had his or her holiday brightened as well. That extends even further, you also know that you made Christmas easier for some troubled parent who sees their child smile because of you.

May I offer a suggestion to anyone planning to give their children a pet for Christmas. I personally feel Christmas is the absolutely worst time of the year to give a pet as a gift. Joining a strange new family is very scary for a wee animal at the best of times. Christmas morning is not the time. If you absolutely must give a pet for Christmas, make it a gift certificate to be redeemed once the excitement of the holiday dies down and when your child will have the time to properly welcome the new addition to the family and give the animal the attention it justly deserves. Animals are living breathing beings who are so willing to love unconditionally if only care is taken to earn their trust. They give back so much to those they love. They are not just another parcel wrapped in colourful gift wrap and adorned with ribbons to receive attention for short periods of time and then to be relegated to a toy box or played with sporadically through the coming months as is the fate of so many christmas gifts.

Sorry if I sound preachy. I'm really not trying to be but  having seen the fate of puppies and kittens who were momentary treasures who later became a bothersome chore tends to influence my thoughts on that subject as Christmas approaches.

This page is  really meant to welcome you to my Christmas section. If you go to the Christmas Index you will find several other pages  where I promise I don't preach at all. There are children's Christmas stories which I had a marvelous time writing plus a page of my own personal treasures of  past Christmas memories. There is a new Christmas story  each year which I sincerely hope your children find  interesting.  I do hope you enjoy your visit and will bring your children by to read, or have you read, the stories to them. If they add even a tiny bit to your Holiday Season pleasures that will please me immensely.

Ok, I'll let you get on to the index and stop pontificating.  You do know that is a grandmother's prerogative don't you ? Or maybe it's  one of our worst habits. Either way it is well intended I promise you. Enjoy ! 

And a Very Happy and Healthy Christmas to you and your loved ones.