It is Day 6 in our incredible and fascinating journey into making sure that Christmas is truly a joy-filled holiday. I’ve been sharing some of the suggestions made in, “The Little Book of Christmas Joys,” by H. Jackson Brown, Jr., Rosemary Brown, and Kathy Peel. As the cover states, “432 things to do for yourself and others that just might make this the best Christmas ever.” The ones being shared are simply selections from the book – some I have edited and others, I have added.
• Be sure to wave a “thank you” when somebody lets you into holiday traffic.
• If one family member lives far away and can’t afford to fly home, suggest that other family members chip in and buy him/her a ticket. It could that persons best Christmas gift ever!
• Take time to remember that the greatest gift is a home filled with people you love.
• Find some place to serve as a volunteer like a homeless kitchen, Meals on Wheels, food pantry, etc.
• Ask children, “What are you giving for Christmas?” and volunteer to take them shopping to help their parents out.
• If you have friends who have lost family members since last Christmas, make a special effort to call and cheer them during the holidays. Why not invite them over for a special Christmas dinner. The holidays can be a lonely time for a single individual.
• Have a special Christmas tablecloth that’s used only on Christmas Day.
• Make a pot of chili and have some friends and/or neighbors over.
• Pull out some old games – Monopoly, Clue and Parcheesi – and have an ongoing family tournament during December.
• Try to find an interesting and new game for the family to play on Christmas Day.
• From a local craft store purchase a few Christmas rubber stamps and then use red and/or green ink and white paper to create your own unique design for wrapping paper.
• Discover the quiet satisfaction of anonymous giving.
• In the afternoon of Christmas Eve simply go to the mall, purchase a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and take a seat to watch the people.
• Create a holiday recipe collection. Add to it each year. Serve one different dish during the holidays.
• Instead of exchanging gifts with close friends at Christmas, decide to take each other to lunch.
• If invited to a holiday party make sure you take your camera and then send the photos to your host or hostess. They will be too busy during the party to really enjoy it, but the photos will be a cherished reminder of the special event.
• Don’t forget the homeless shelter. They always appreciate your leftovers. Call ahead first.
• Hide at least one small gift in the tree.
• Keep up with the local news during the holiday season to learn if there is someone who might need your help.
• It is usually cold during the holidays. Remember the homeless and collect some blankets to pass out to those who live on the streets.
• If you are taking a trip with children during the holidays, purchase a large number of small gifts that they can unwrap during the trip … one an hour is a nice pace. It makes the trip go faster and helps them keep their minds off the fact that they are riding a long distance.
• As you pack up the Christmas tree decorations, ask family members to write a prediction for the coming year on a piece of paper. Put them in the ornament box and read them next year.
• Don’t try to do everything yourself. Remember, even Santa needs helpers.
More tomorrow …
Quote for today: “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its troubles …. It empties today of its strength.” Corrie Ten Boom
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