Christmas

Christmas Past Revisited

Backstory

We are storytellers. When our family gets together, there always has to be time for folks to tell their stories. Christmas tales are particularly popular. So many warm and happy events – and those that evoke laughter all around.

Thinking of how much we enjoy them, I thought I’d tell you about them.

Christmas Past Revisited

One of my favorite rites of Christmas is when the family gets together and remembers Christmases past. We hear from each person; whether you’ve had 8 Christmases to date or 80. There is a willing audience to hear you tell about it.

Some eyes glaze over; others brim with tears as we remember loved ones with whom we used to share holiday meals and traditions and gifts and love. You can practically feel the spirit of those who used to share our lives and are here no more. How precious to bring them back to life in our memories and have them share a few holiday moments with us.

The younger family members will hear of how things used to be. The older members will probably recall family traditions or foods. We may be able to congratulate those who still carry out the traditions or lament that they exist no more.

In addition to telling our favorite Christmas stories, each person gets to tell what they are thankful for. The expected treasures are mentioned – love of the family, health, and making it through another year without a major tragedy. But what is often heartwarming is to hear how grateful people are for something small done for them that really mattered: a suggestion that helped solve a problem; a contact that resulted in beneficial networking, news about people who needed help so that we could provide it.

It’s all part of the family Christmas-telling tradition.

P.S.

As our family of locals shrinks and there are fewer oldsters and more little children, the storytelling changes a bit. As we go around the table, we may hear more about a new video game, the latest posts on Instagram, or delight over Taylor Swift’s latest lost love. These stories need to be cherished and valued as much as those about walking to and from school two miles, uphill each way. Throw in some microwave recipes, and you modernize Christmas storytelling.

[Show #511]

Christmas Decorations

Back Story

Every year, merchants present new decorations for the holiday. Modern themes are often glittery and colorful. It’s always a big decision whether to go contemporary and get new stuff or reveal in things old and traditional, coated with memories, secrets, and love.

Christmas Decorations

I do so look forward to dragging out all those tried and true Christmas decorations each year. I look forward to tub after tub of memories opened, explored, spruced up, and lovingly placed around our home.

The wreath chosen by my mother for its lush colors. The hand-made ornaments of my childhood. The treasured nutcracker with the year 1936 in my grandmother’s handwriting on the bottom. The wooden toys that march across my mantel each December. The collection of angels, each a gift from someone who decided to add to my unannounced collection.

With Christmas carols playing and candles burning, I can almost feel the presence of those I have loved over those years, paying their Christmas visit and adding to the smiles the memories bring. Some of my best times with them were during the holidays. So those special memories seem stored in the tubs, along with the garlands and tinsel, to be opened and celebrated and added to each year.

Here’s wishing you many fond memories of Christmas past and the makings of more during this holiday season. Annette Petrick, wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas.

P.S. Each year, when the Christmas boxes come out, I check hopefully for photos. I’d just love to see celebration moments captured for posterity. Alas, there are no photos. No matter how hard I look. I so admire people who remember to take the shot. Our people seem so busy enjoying each other that no one brings out their Kodak Brownie.

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Gifts for Grandchildren

Back Story

With commercial advertising beginning before Halloween, your Christmas shopping may be long concluded. You may be at the dramatic stage – Do I wrap and bow tie? Or take the easy way out and bag ‘em up? In either case, sympathize with me on my quest for the perfect gifts for grandchildren.

Gifts for Grandchildren

Grandkids are high on your Christmas gift list if you are lucky enough to have some children of your children in your life. They are an enigma when it comes to choosing a gift they would really like.

The group printed on that sweatshirt they wanted last year, today may be “Oh, totally yesterday, Grandma.” You could misunderstand the techno talk about what they want and buy earbuds instead of headphones.

And that doll you planned to buy when your granddaughter reached just the right age? Look around her bedroom. Do you see the kind of doll collection you had at that age? Do you see any dolls at all?

When your grandkids’ parents were growing up, you were in the house with them. You overheard conversations, received not-so-subtle hints, and sort of had the lay of the land. With grandkids, they may live hundreds of miles away, or their minds may seem miles away, or their wish list items may cost far more than your budget.

Is the ubiquitous gift card the answer? Try asking for a Christmas gift wish list to help you out. Is Justin Bieber still on it? How about Dora the Explorer? Or you could always revert to the hand-knitted scarf – With the gift card tucked inside.

Happy shopping.

P.S. As the kids and grandkids get older, I like to give a keepsake – something they can set on their desk or hang on their wall (probably accompanied by cash) and point to, far in the future, and say, “My grandmother gave me that.”

[Show #510]

The Gift Of Peace And Tranquility

Backstory

“The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.” – James Allen

The Gift Of Peace And Tranquility

Have your kids or grandkids composed their Christmas gift wish list?

You hear a lot of iPods and video game requests; dolls and stick-riding horses seem to have disappeared. Funky clothes still make the list for the girls. The boys? More customized wishes depending on their age and interests.

Can you imagine finding peace and tranquility on their Christmas list? Not hardly!

And yet those are the things that allow all the other pleasures – Including the hope that a Santa will make some of those wishes come true.

Those kids don’t have to worry about someone bursting through the door at night and carrying their father and brothers away. They don’t see soldiers with guns on the street or hear mortar shells falling and worry about where the next one will hit.

We have been so blessed with peace and tranquility in this country for so long that we can be tempted to take it for granted. Yet there are so many places in the world where peace and tranquility are only a dream – at Christmas or any day of the year.

So as we struggle to make this the best Christmas ever and worry about providing all the things on those Christmas wish lists, let’s give thanks for the good life here in America and pray that tomorrow, our children and we can continue to enjoy peace and tranquility.

P.S. Seeking tranquility, one might pray – “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

Show #465

The Gift of Your Time

Backstory

After such a long period when the face-to-face time was limited or impossible, everyone is ready for companionship. Families are renting homes to bring loved ones together. Small groups are gathering in destinations. Your gifts this year could be based on creating memories by time spent together.

The Gift of Your Time

Christmas is such a magical time of year. We hear Christmas carols unsung for eleven months, and yet we remember each word and sing along. The days seem filled with fairy dust and sparkles, twinkling lights and happy thoughts.

Whether the season has spiritual significance for you or is a reason for giving and remembering those who are dear. it’s a time to give thanks and to treasure friends and family and remember what’s important.

As you match your wallet with your gift list, remember the most valuable gift you can give may be the gift of your time. There are people in your life who would treasure that more than anything.

More time with aging relatives, listening to their stories, one more time . . . Spending social time with friends you depend on, not just calling when you need them . . . Sharing time with the kids, or your spouse or partner.

Does it take an expensive gift to show you care? Don’t be fooled by the commercials for cars and diamonds. Spending time watching a dance recital or ball game, listening to a newly written poem or planning a date night, could be far more treasured – and hardly make a dent in your budget at all.

So this Christmas please . . . stop, relax, smell the poinsettias and watch for fairy dust or at least snowflakes. Merry Christmas.

P.S. Who do you love and not see, day in and day out? How can you give them the gift of your time? Do a zoom visit. Make a face call. Place a good, ole-fashioned telephone call. Send hand-written Christmas cards this year, even if you had stopped that tradition. Figure out how to spread the gift of your time even further this year. It’s needed.

[Show #515]

Best Christmas Gift

Back Story

You probably start Christmas shopping in October, like my friend Susan. Her gifts are wrapped, labeled and stored long before most people. She is really good at selecting just the right present. Wouldn’t it feel good if something you choose for someone this year wound up being the best gift they ever had?

Best Christmas Gift

What’s the BEST Christmas gift you ever received? Think about it. What pops right into your mind? I’ll bet it’s not the most expensive gift you ever got. It’s probably the one most lovingly selected by someone who knows you very, very well and contributes regularly to your happiness.

Sometimes, a gift provides an unexpected pleasure. I remember receiving a green imitation leather shoulder bag from an aunt. It was full lady size, even though my age had not yet hit double digits.

To me, it was the symbol of being grown up. And obviously my aunt had RECOGNIZED how grown up I was, to give me such a sophisticated – and big – purse. I dragged half of my childhood treasures around with me in that purse, so everyone could see this recognition of my new, grown up stature in life.

I have to wonder whether my aunt ever had even an inkling of how important that gift was to me, or why. Probably not. I now wish I had told her about it, somewhere along the way.

Think about your favorite gift and what it symbolized for you. If you still can, call the person who gave it to you and tell them. What a delight it would be to hear from you with that kind of thanks. This is the season for it.

Enjoy the holidays and each other.

P.S. Books are always a welcome gift. Sometimes they open new doors, inspire or at very least, entertain. The Christmas book I wrote a couple of years ago is chuck full of Consider This stories from Christmases over the last 15 years. It can be purchased on Amazon. This link will take you right to it – Christmas Joy, Love, and Wonder by Annette Petrick

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