Its All About Christmas

Sarah Porter asked:

Unusual Christmas Decorations and Christmas Invitations

Christmas is a holiday celebrated by millions of people around the world every year. Some people feel that Christmas has lost the important spiritual and family focus and has started being all about the idea of giving gifts and Christmas parties with Christmas Invitations Cards, http://www.cardsshoppe.com/holiday-invitations/christmas-invitations-cards.htm However, this is not the case in most families that find special ways to celebrate this holiday and start traditions that have nothing to do with simply unwrapping gifts but are all about the spirit of family togetherness. People especially love sharing joy with a Christmas party invitation and by singing Christmas songs around the fire or even going caroling. Here are some ways Christmas is celebrated around the world.

The Joy of Christmas Music

One of the ways Christmas touches the hearts of so many is with the joy of classic Xmas songs. Whenever “Deck the Halls” starts playing in every store and on the radio everyone knows that the Christmas season has begun and its time for giving and spending time with the family. Not only does the music excite its listeners but it also has everyone waiting to receive their custom Christmas invitations so they can start preparing for the festivities.

The Christmas tree and Your Christmas Invitation, http://www.cardsshoppe.com/holiday-invitations/christmas-invitations-cards.htm

Of course, no holiday celebration is complete without a tree. The evergreen that doesn’t lose its color or needles even in the winter is a symbol associated with Christmas that is also the center of many traditions. Some families purchase new ornaments each year for the tree. Other families have a tradition built around purchasing a live evergreen tree and bringing it home to decorate. The Christmas decorations for the tree and the house include a wide-range of options from candles to strung popcorn to lights to homemade crafts created by children over the years. All of these things are intricate parts of how Christmas is celebrated. These trees are so symbolic of the season they are frequently featured on Christmas party invites.

Sending Invitations Christmas Cards

Another time-honored tradition for this holiday season is the mailing of Merry Christmas invitation cards to friends, family members, and other loved ones. Sometimes these Xmas invites can serve as Christmas Invitations Cards, http://www.cardsshoppe.com/holiday-invitations/christmas-invitations-cards.htm too. The cards are a reminder that even people not nearby physically are still in a person’s heart and mind during the holiday season. Plus, the cards are the perfect reason to update everyone on what family members are doing or to reconnect with loved ones (or even customers) with whom they haven’t had much contact.

Since sending out holiday Christmas invitations and cards complementing your Christmas decorations is so common in the United States it causes the postal workers to have to be busy and focus on getting out all of the invitations Christmas party in time. However, if it were not for the hard work of the post office the biggest way Christmas is celebrated would not be possible.

Read more about Hottest New Styles Trends for Christmas Invitations, Christmas Invitation Latest Designs and Christmas Celebrations with Christmas Party Invitations

CD Mohatta asked:

Christmas memories always include the time I put aside for my children to make Christmas decorations. We love to make wall decorations and have many keepsakes of past Christmases, some 25 years old!  Remembering the activities that we shared making the decorations makes the holidays more special as you lovingly place your decorations on the walls. In the last article, Christmas Keepsake Decorations – Part 1, you saw how to make a “Rudolph Handmade Deer”, using your child’s hand for antlers. A perfect companion keepsake to place beside it is a Picture Christmas Wreath, using your child’s picture as the centerpiece.

 

Materials needed:  white poster board, red felt, scissors (both regular and Z edged), glue, green tempera paint, red wooden beads, tape, a protractor or 2 different sized bowls, some newspaper, and a picture of your child. If you can get your child’s picture in front of a Christmas tree, then it will really be cute! Doing these kinds of Christmas activities can make a family feel closer and helps make wonderful Christmas memories.

 

The first thing that you should do is draw 2 circles on the white poster board. The largest should be about 7 or 8″. The smaller circle should be 3 & ½ to 4 & ½” and centered in the middle of the larger circle. Let your child help you by cutting out the shapes. Use craft zigzag scissors to cut the outside edge on the larger circle like small Zs. Cutting the inner circle might be hard for children and they may need you to start the cut.

 

Next, lay down newspapers and let your child paint the larger circle with green tempera paint. It will be cute to see the ‘evergreen’ look or their brush strokes when it dries. While the paint is drying, take the 3 & ½ ” square cut red felt and draw a bow on it. The bow should use most of the square. The bow looks like a butterfly and the ribbon will be like an upside down V, about1″ wide and 1″ long. You should practice a few times until you get the design you like, then copy to the red felt square, and cut it.

 

Once the paint dries, you’re ready to assemble the wreath.  Turn the painted side down and tape the picture over the hole in the middle. Turn it over and check to see if the picture is centered. If the placement is good, then turn it back over and glue the edges to the wreath. Cut a 5″ circle from the white poster board and glue it over the picture, on the back.

 

You are now ready to finish the Christmas wreath. Attach the red bow with glue to the bottom of the wreath. Glue 5 red wooden beads on the wreath, like holly berries. Your child’s masterpiece is complete and ready to display alone or with the Rudolph Handmade deer. We enjoy making wall decorations that add Christmas spirit, memories and color to our home. If you and your family enjoyed this activity, then you can always use the remaining supplies to make other wreaths, and give them as Christmas presents from the child or family. More keepsake memory decorations will be explained in Keepsake Christmas Decorations

Daljit kaur asked:

I can recall from my days in England, watching television at Christmas and seeing how others celebrated across the world. At one time I used to think about people in Australia, who seemed to be featured on the news every Christmas Day: "it’s not like Christmas, hot weather and going to the beach.”

Why I used to think like that I really do not know. I did not like the cold once I got past the age of about 30. Or was it 35? Who cares, I hate the cold now. That’s one of the many reasons I live in what many call paradise: Palawan, in the south west of the Philippines.

Being a predominantly Christian country, Christmas is a big occasion in the Philippines. It is also still a religious occasion, which of course it should be. Only a tiny percentage of people can afford gifts, so the emphasis is on family holidays, time together, and for many going to church. Very few families have anything special for Christmas lunch, they just don’t have the money. They do make up for it, though, as Filipinos certainly know how to enjoy themselves.

Despite the lack of money in most families, Christmas starts early in the stores, around August. One thing they go in for in a big way here is Christmas lights. Sometimes even the poorest homes will be adorned with fairy lights, some having quite spectacular displays. Even in early November last year, as I travelled back from the jungle’s edge about 90km south, it was quite magical to see the Christmas lights as we got near the city.

My first Christmas in the country was memorable. I was invited to a girlfriend’s house Christmas Eve, a very poor but very friendly neighbourhood with mostly small timber houses cramped next to each other; intimate to say the least. Outside in the garden (a tiny yard) there were lights everywhere, set up for the party that would last all evening and into the night. I remember sitting there as they got everything organised around me, how magical and special it all was. Just a few months earlier I had been a resident in England and had only experienced Christmas in England. Now, I was sitting outside on a hot Christmas Eve, the sound of tropical insects a prelude to the modern disco music that was to follow later. I loved it.

As with most occasions in the Philippines, there were lots of children. Neighbours came and went, people moved from one party to another, and there was a constant flow of people and especially children. Children’s games were followed later by adult versions of children’s games, most of which have come from Western influence, but Filipinos always put their own stamp on the foreign habits they adopt. Alcohol would not have been a part of the occasion, but the adults were delighted when I offered to buy beer and rum.

At midnight, I was advised to go inside. I soon saw why. All hell broke loose with fireworks as midnight approached, exploding from every tightly packed, confined little garden in the neighbourhood. Fireworks that would have been banned in the UK, but I have to admit they were very loud and impressive. I was amazed, as nobody had warned me of this tradition beforehand.

Now, all my Christmases are tropical, and very different from those in England. I sometimes wonder how much Christmas would change here if it ever became a wealthy country. The major differences between here and England are the profligate spending and materialism in England, and the normal subdued spending in the Philippines. Yet, it is the Filipinos who seem more able to enjoy it that the English.

Angelique Ellerman asked:

Christmas means a great many things to different people all over the world.  Everyone has their own favorite Christmas memories and traditions he or she will re-create from year to year.  Best of all Christmas is also that magical time of year where our differences can be laid aside for awhile as we all celebrate together at home and all over the world. 

Following is a collection of Christmas traditions that I’ve put together, however for the ones that I’ve missed I apologize.  Here are some of my personal favorites:  cutting down the tree or purchasing a tree, followed by decorating the tree, making popcorn strings and caramel popcorn balls, hanging the Christmas lights, baking cookies and of course sampling while they are still warm and fresh, listening to Christmas music, sipping egg nog, buying and wrapping presents, hanging the stockings, mistle toe and the holly, not to mention the huge feast and getting to spend time with family and loved ones.  As a child these were among my favorites and as an adult I look forward to each year and each activity with fond memories and excitement.  Some years I make a new tradition, while other years I help to pass on traditions to my small nieces and nephews who seem to get the most enjoyment of everybody when it comes to Christmas time.  

Over the years I’ve gotten to know neighbors and other families and have also been fortunate to participate in some of their traditions as well.  Lighting the menorah and experiencing others traditions and customs is both enlightening and enjoyable.  Some families go from house to house singing Christmas carols and spreading holiday cheer, while others volunteer their time and money to helping individuals who are less fortunate then we are.  Other families gather together and tell Christmas stories and some give poinsettias or Christmas cactuses as thoughtful and cheerful gifts to neighbors and friends.  While other families even create beautiful luminaries and release them down a river or into the air or just display them outside and inside throughout the Christmas season.  Whatever the tradition and whomever it is shared by, they all have one thing in common; there is a sense of camaraderie and oneness during this special time of year that inspires us as individuals for the new year to come.  Sometime we make new year’s resolutions and sometimes we vow to be better people in the comming new year.   

Some other traditions that also make Christmas so anticipated are:  giving and receiving of gifts, waiting for Santa Claus and leaving Santa some goodies, building snowmen and snow castles or making snow angels, watching your favorite Christmas specials on TV and getting all decked out in your best attire for Christmas parties and various gatherings are all part of our favorite Christmas traditions.  Whether it’s going to a Christmas party or just spending quality time with your entire family, Christmas is all the more magical when it is shared. 

Each year we re-create that Christmas spirit while creating new memories to last a lifetime.  And if you can’t be with your own family this holiday season, for whatever reason, re-create your traditions for yourself or with whatever “family” you do have at the time.  Take time to remember and thank our brave soldiers, who fight every day for our freedom and others as well.  May your holiday season be happy and safe in 2008; full of good cheer and fun traditions.

Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad and Happy Hanukah

 

Warren Peters asked:

Christmas is Coming.

                   

Don’t panic. Online gift shopping is a good start.

No need to fight the traffic and the crowds.

No carrying a ton of presents. No searching for a parking space.

You can actually kick back with your favorite drink or snack and let your fingers do the work.

 You can uncover a plethora of fancy, funny, entertaining christmas ideas, without even leaving your comfort zone.

Who cares if it rains or snows, how crowded the malls are or if the traffic is moving at a snails pace.

You can be in your jammies keeping life simple.

No need to ante up big bucks to show your appreciation when buying multiple gifts for those special friends and loved ones.

The internet has something for everyone and the prices are usually lower than real world shopping.

We have done the research and discovered the most searched for and purchased gifts for the top 12 christmas toys for 2008.

Don’t know any kids?

That’s okay, we also have a list of gifts that teens are going crazy over. You will find suggestions and gift ideas for all age groups. Something for him or her.

There is a galaxy of choice presents ready and waiting for you.  Don’t  resort to a tie for dad or cheap perfume for mom. With the huge selection of christmas gifts online, you can spend just a bit of time and find the special unique off the wall gift that they will love. 

Online shopping has become very popular in the last few years.

Christmas especially. Some gifts sell out very fast.

So if the present you have selected is a must have,

don’t neglect to order now to miss the seasonal rush.

Of course, there are quite a few gifts on the list of Christmas Toys 2008 got to-haves. Take a little time and be the best Santa you can.

Hot xmas gifts 2008 [amazon] 

       

Spinmaster Aquadoodle Draw N’ Doodle Mat

 No doubt you have cleaned many walls, floors, and tables from your childs creative artwork. Now you can finally  get something they can’t mess up. 

LEGO Mindstorms NXT

This is an excellent book both for beginners and for more advanced Lego users. Beautifully illustrated with graphics. Mixes both the Lego modeling aspect of building robots and the visual programming side.

Pleo Dinosaur-A UGOBE Life Form

Robotic wonder reacts to environment, and shows emotion.

Great for everyone ages 8 and up.

Transformers Movie Leader Optimus Prime

Super Transformer Optimus Prime is the leader of the Autobots. Hard to find toy. This will become a collectors item.

So the big kids will love them too.

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Girls Pink Digital Camera

No film. Hard to wreck. Made especially for kids.

This baby can take abuse.

Leapster2

 Preschool handheld gaming, an online experience that lets you see what your child is learning. Over 30 well thought out games featuring characters that your kids love.

The KidiArt Studio

A working digital camera and a colorful studio desk with a  stool to match, the KidiArt Studio encourages kids aged four to seven to use their natural talent by letting them make and share their art using a TV or PC.

Game Girl Hannah Montana Guitar Video Game

Girls, grab your guitars and get ready to rock with the Hannah Montana Pop Tour Guitar Video Game. Rock your way through a nationwide tour, show off your rock-star talent. Perfect for girls 8 to 14.

Hannah with Guitar & Stool

Take off on Hannah’s world with a doll & famous accessory pieces from the show.

Dr. Seuss Games

The Cat In the Hat I Can Do That! Game gets your kids up and running with imaginative, fun-filled and funny activities.

This remarkable game will help build confidence in your kids.

Another Very Popular ‘Old School’Toy

Mr. Potato Head Value Pack

Over 40 parts and accessories. Every kid needs a Mr. Potatohead to complete his or her childhood.

Now This Is Incredible

Very popular. Guitar Hero 3

Guitar Hero 3 is another great reason to slip into some tight leather pants and rock out with your friends. Awesome sound track.

So jump online and let your fingers do the traveling.

Frank Dalotto asked:

The origin of Christmas stemmed from pagan festivals like the popular Roman Saturnalia, which celebrated Winter Solstice.

In the early pre-Christian era, winter celebrations were very popular and followed pagan rituals. Paganism in Europe celebrated light and the darkest days of winter, the Winter Solstice.

What is Paganism?

Paganism describes the ancient and modern religions which identify Nature as the body of the Divine. Pagans often speak of many Gods and Goddesses. Paganism refers to the religions of ancient Greece and Rome and the surrounding areas.

Early Europeans marked the year’s longest night — Winter solstice – to celebrate the worst of the winter being behind them as they look ahead to longer days and extended hours of sunlight. During this celebration, they slaughtered livestock that could not be kept through the winter and feasted from late December through January. German pagans honored Oden, a frightening god who flew over settlements at night, blessing some people and cursing others. The Norse in Scandinavia celebrated Yule tide, with families burning a giant log and feasting on it until it turned to ash. Sound like today’s Christmas? You Bet!

Nowhere in the New Testament do we see Jesus’ disciples observing His birthday. Jesus wasn’t born on December 25th. The apostles did not honor pagan rituals, and accordingly, preached to other Christians to avoid the pagan rituals. As a result, the early Christians didn’t observe Jesus’ birthday.

No one knows the birth date of Jesus, or even what year. Jesus, according to many historians was born in the springtime. The origin of Christmas took place in 336 AD. Pope Julius I declared the birth and celebration of Jesus’ birthday as Christmas and chose December 25th because it coincided with the pagan traditions of Winter Solstice. The purpose was to replace the pagan celebrations with the Christian one.

Most Christmas customs, the decorating the evergreen “Christmas” tree, the hanging of mistletoe, gift exchanges, and Santa Claus, all came from pagan winter practices and secular traditions that were celebrated throughout Europe.

Christmas as we know it today, is not only a mix of ancient pagan practices and hundreds of years of adopting secular and religious traditions, it also has a Victorian period influence that affected the practice and acceptance of Christmas.

As early as the seventeenth century the celebration of Christmas was still regarded as a pagan festival that was not permitted in England and in many of the English colonies in America. It took almost 800 years for Christmas to become the important festival it is today. In the early seventeenth century, England’s colorful leader Oliver Cromwell, a Puritan who followed the Bible to the word, banned Christmas as a Pagan celebration. Christmas did not return as a Christian holiday in England until Charles II came to power.

During that period in history when the Puritans descended upon America, Christmas was not recognized as a Christian festivity.

Once the colonies became independent, English influence and practices declined and our forefathers restored Christmas.

Over time, as Christians adopted Christmas and attended Christmas Mass, it became a tradition at the end of Mass to enter into wild celebrations of drinking similar to the Mardi Gras festivals, and It wasn’t until the nineteenth century when the practice of Christmas and the festival like celebrations ceased and gave way to observing Christmas with family values and traditions.

Several events came into play in the Nineteenth century that changed the observance of Christmas to become a family focused tradition. New York City created the first full time, salaried Police Force in America and assigned it a riot control function to combat the increasing race and industrial riots, as well as Christmas celebrations that were getting out of control. The other was Washington Irving who authored a collection of short stories on The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, and the celebration of Christmas in an English country house. The Christmas stories portrayed an English noble man who invited the poor into his home to celebrate Christmas in a caring, friendly manner to bridge the gap between the haves and have-not. Irving’s writings were believed to have widespread influence in establishing the tradition and meaning of Christmas of being a caring, non- status oriented observance of Christmas.

Christmas wasn’t declared a federal holiday in the US until June 26, 1870. However, on December 6, 1999, federal judge U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott ruled that Christmas has become so secular that the government does not violate the Constitution by declaring it a federal legal holiday.

Today, Christmas has evolved to being a multicultural, multi-religious holiday celebrated throughout the world. In the US over 90% of the population celebrates Christmas. Depending on national and local customs, it integrates sun worship, polytheism, pagan nature religions, Christianity, and other later myths and traditions.

Christmas has now become for the most part. a secular holiday and a commercial enterprise with many mass-produced symbols and decorations, including Santa Claus’s red uniform, designed by Coca Cola.

The celebration of Christmas is enjoyed by nearly everyone! The non-religious celebrate the joyous traditions. The Christians believe that Christmas has something to do with Christ and celebrate religious rituals. The pagans celebrate nature and the tie-in with Winter Solstice. Commercial enterprises enjoy the profits from the sale of decorations, symbols, and gifts.

Paul E Dulin asked:

ing an Outstanding Outdoor Christmas Display

I know that creating a dazzling outdoor Christmas decor is important to you. There are thousands of unique Christmas decor items made to be used outdoors from the finest online vendors. You will appreciate the great service and exceptional deals you will find with these merchants. They want to help you make a real statement in your neighborhood and actually WOW everyone who sees your property and your Christmas display masterpiece.

No matter what you are decorating, these quality vendors have you covered. You can find great Christmas decorations and Holiday displays made especially for outdoor use so you can create any theme and for any application. Your Christmas light displays and other Christmas decorations will look great in front of your home or business, or as a part of a public display at a park or shopping center.

The Advantage of Using LED Outdoor Christmas Lights

Many of the new outdoor Christmas decor products are lighted with energy efficient, long-lasting LED lights. These lights will outlast dozens of the traditional C7 or C9 Christmas light bulbs. LED lights will also burn cooler reducing the fire hazard associated with the traditional C7 and C9 bulbs. Also the energy savings when you use LED lighting with your outdoor Holiday displays can be up to 98% over using traditional light bulbs. You can dazzle your neighbors and friends and still be green at the same time.

Safety is an important consideration when you are dealing with lighted Christmas decorations. You want to always check to be sure that your lighted items, controllers, timers, extension cords, and other related item used in your Christmas displays are all UL Listed. Many of the cheap imported electrical products are not UL Listed and should be avoided.

Great Christmas Yard Art and Christmas Inflatables for Your Display

You may want to include brilliant life size or smaller yard art figures in your outdoor Holiday display creations. These items may be lighted or may require independent illumination. They can range from inflatable nylon or vinyl figures to lighted and animated high-end yard art items.

It Pays to Buy Quality

One of the things that is important when purchasing items for your outdoor Christmas display is to buy quality products. When you buy quality products from reputable vendors you will have Holiday decor items that will last you for many years. That way you can continue to add to your collection so your display will become better and better will each passing Holiday season.

One of the great features of quality outdoor Christmas decorations is that they are easy to install. Quality products will come with all of the parts and accessories that you need for a quick and easy setup. Also they will be easy to take down and store for the next holiday season.

Summary for Overview on Outdoor Christmas Decor

I am confident that you are going to create one of the best if not the best Christmas yard display in your neighborhood. I hope that the information in this article has been helpful. You will find a lot more information at my website and at the links to these great vendors. If you are looking for a huge selection of quality outdoor christmas decor products and a good deal on your selections, be sure to visit my website: http://www.outdoorchristmasdecorsite.com

by Paul E. Dulin, Author and Business Owner

Roland Jefferson asked:

is by any means the most popular holiday in the world, religious or secular. It has taken on many different styles over the years in various parts of the world, and in the United States, people like to decorate for the occasion.

Decorating is a staple of several holidays: Christmas, New Year’s, and Halloween to name a few. However, the more popular decorations, while festive, don’t quite capture the true spirit of Christmas. For that, you’ll need to check into making your own homemade Christmas ornaments.

Have Fun, Save Money

Making your own homemade Christmas ornaments can be fun, easy, and thrifty. You’d be surprised at how much you can make on your own without any professional tools and without professional training.

Even if you mess up on making the ornament, you’ll not have spent a great deal of money on the materials, and you can simply start over, unlike breaking a store-bought ornament and having to go rebuy it. A homemade Christmas ornament will give Christmas time a more unique and intimate feeling to it, creating an atmosphere that helps to bind the family together.

One quick idea for making a homemade Christmas ornament is to purchase some modeling clay. This doesn’t take much talent at all, and you can easily mold it until you have it just how you want it, making it a very friendly substance to new users. Just make a number of figurines depicting Christmas-esque figures, be it a nativity set, snowman, or Santa Clause.

Then, you can most likely bake it in your oven to harden it (though you should check the packaging to see how to harden the clay before you purchase it). Even if it doesn’t come out perfectly, this homemade Christmas ornament will have more value than a store-bought decoration, and you’ll grow to enjoy it more over the years.

However, you can also make your own outdoor Christmas decoration. In fact, it’s as easy as planting a tree in your front yard and placing colored lights in it during December, lighting up the tree with Christmas colors.

If snow abounds, make your own Snowman and dress him up as Santa Clause. This will give neighbors a chuckle as they drive by your home, and it will help to spread Christmas cheer around. The possibilities for making homemade Christmas ornaments are endless, and you can save money and time by picking up the materials and making Christmas a unique experience.

Jillian Gallo asked:

Fun Christmas gift exchanging ideas will add an extra thrill to your Christmas party for the family.  Add some fun games to your holiday party!

 

Not too long ago family members were already happy with the idea of buying gifts for everyone during the Christmas season. They gather around the fireplace and exchange gifts with one another. However, people came up with several ideas to make exchanging gifts more exciting than the usual. Family members now find drawing names before purchasing a gift is not only more enjoyable, but it also enables them to buy something really suitable for the person. A white elephant type of exchange gifts is also popular these days. But whichever type of gift exchanging is applied, the important element is the fun.

 

Just how do you further spice up giving the gifts? You can turn it into a scavenger hunt in effect. Instead of giving your family member his or her gift, you can hand in a piece of paper with a clue that points the direction where the gift is hidden. You can hide the gift elsewhere days before the actual exchanging of gifts is done.   You can use a single clue that leads directly to the gift’s location. Or you can have a clue leading to a location where the next clue is hidden, and so on. This is especially useful if you have a small family and a big house. Everyone will have a great time retrieving clues until they finally find the hidden gift.

 

No one ever said that exchanging gifts were meant to be fun for kids alone. With a little creativity, adults as well can have a jolly time handing and receiving gifts. How about having a white elephant gift exchange? You can think of a theme that’s common to each one – something that everybody in the family loves. For example, you can create baking as a theme; so each family member has to buy a gift that has something to do with baking. It can be anything as long as it’s related to baking — like a mixer, baking tray, baking recipes or a cake. Each one in the family will surely be surprised with what they might get.

 

You can have a fishing theme if everybody loves to go fishing or a gadget theme if each one in the family is a gadget freak. Remember that the theme you choose must be common to all, so that the white elephant gift they receive is something that they will surely enjoy. Your family also might want to pile all the gifts in one spot then each one will draw a number. The person who gets number 1 can go and pick a gift from the pile, followed by the person who gets number 2, and so on.

 

In opening the gifts, you can still add a bit more excitement. Instead of unwrapping them right away, ask each member of the family to guess what they have inside. They can shake it and study its dimensions before they make a wise guess. Or you can play a card game that’s really swift, like poker or rummy, and the person to win gets to open his or her gift first.

 

The joyous spirit of Christmas is further enjoyed when you incorporate a whole lot of exciting activities as gifts are exchanged. This activity can make it really fun for kids and adults alike.

Lynn Jebbia asked:

Christmas has become so commercialized that many people spend little time thinking about the true meaning of Christmas. It is the happiest time of year for Christians celebrating the birth of Christ. Our children’s excitement is focused on Santa Claus and what presents they are going to get. Adults are in a frenzy deciding upon who to give to and what to buy, buying the presents, decorating the house and planning holiday events. Multitasking is the norm today and during the holiday season the tasks pile on. The additional work required to perform all the tasks to get ready for Christmas oftentimes make it difficult to enjoy the holidays. Let alone to experience the true meaning of Christmas.

Celebrations in families who try to focus on the true meaning of the holidays begin on the first Sunday of Advent. Special prayers are said at the dinner table each evening of Advent while lighting a candle on the advent wreath. The family starts to prepare for the coming of Jesus on Christmas day.

Strong religious conviction and practices like going to church and saying prayers are not required to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Yes, it is about Christ’s birth but it’s also about the principles that Christ espoused that make us better human beings and better members of our communities. Think about those things that you can do to make other peoples lives better.

Giving is important during the holiday season. Our focus is on giving to our friends and family. It’s also important to give to those less fortunate. Buy gifts and drop them off at your local homeless center. Give to toys for tots. Participate in local food drives to build up the quantities of food needed to help those in need throughout the winter.

Show you care by visiting nursing homes and children’s hospitals, the sick and the elderly. Give them the gift of your time. Sing Christmas carols. Bake Christmas cookies and take to new neighbors or elderly neighbors.

Volunteer to serve a meal at a homeless center or take Christmas dinner fixings to someone less fortunate. Help local community service groups deliver food and toys to families in need. Help sell Christmas trees and Christmas wreaths to raise money for non-profit community agencies.

Oh yee of little faith can spread the joy of the holiday season by adopting these virtues and practicing them. Our focus is on our family and friends but to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas is to give, share and serve your community as well as your family and friends.