“When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things, not the great
occasions, give off the greatest glow of happiness.”
– Bob Hope
There are so many aspects of the holidays – the hustle and bustle, the parties and potlucks, the decorating of homes, the inspiring music and the helping of others who are not as fortunate as we are.
It is fun to share in the Christmas anticipation through the eyes of our children. To them, Christmas means presents and holidays. Each of them has a long list of wants. This year, I have vowed to spend some time teaching them about the real meaning of Christmas – the peace, the sharing and spiritual value that is often masked by the commercialism.
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I think our society is going full circle. We have lived the dazzling celebrations and are now craving a more simplistic time. Think back to holidays in the past. Is it the gifts that made you happy or the time spent with friends and family?
Have you been able to spend your time how you wanted? What was your most memorable gift? I think that many of us will find that the gifts that we treasure the most are ones that did not cost a fortune.
Looking back over all that I have received, and after reading the letters from our memorable gifts contest, I realized that the most precious gifts are the ones that really touch our hearts.
I have so many special memories of wonderful presents. I always received new toys and clothes as a child, but these are not the gifts that stand out in my mind. Not that I did not like them. Especially my Barbies.
One that comes to mind was a gift given to me by my grandpa. For my birthday, which is just before Christmas, he called to wish me happy birthday. We always joked around and after some pleasant conversation, and a usual, “I’m proud of ya’, sweetie, you are doing good,” he started to sing Happy Birthday to me, and told me that he would see me at Christmas.
The next day he passed away, leaving us all with just memories of how he had touched our lives. And to my surprise, he had left gift envelopes prepared for all of us. The gift inside did not mean nearly as much as my last visit with him the day before, or the Christmas message written to me on the outside of the envelope.
I have kept that last note safe and close for more than a decade. I pull it out every now and again, and just seeing his writing brings a smile.
In the same box where I keep my grandpa’s note, I also keep a bright red envelope given to me by my grandma. When I was young, she tirelessly read to me a story called, Mr. Tidy and Mr. Untidy. This is a story about two elves who lived together, but did not get along well. Eventually, through humour and compromise, they agreed to disagree about their issues. What a great life lesson she taught me through reading that story.
The Christmas after I had my first child, she gave me a photocopy of the story, all done up and decorated on a piece of brilliant red Bristol board. I cherish it, and I am sure that she had hopes of me passing this lesson along to the children in my life. The best part is on the bottom of the page, in her own writing. It is signed, Merry Christmas with Love Grandma.
Today’s Parent magazine has some suggestions to make your Christmas a merry one:
- Relax – When your holiday chores begin to pile up, stop and take a break to reduce tension. Time outs are as good for adults as they are for children. Take slow regular breaths from your abdomen.
Try picturing a relaxing place – see it, feel it and hear it. In five minutes, you will be back on track.
- Control your thoughts – Do not get caught up in the have-it-all, do-it-all syndrome. Learn to bend instead of snapping when things get hectic. Look for the pleasures of the holiday season – the look in a grandparent’s eyes as children open their gifts, the beauty of fresh fallen snow and frost covered trees, the giggles of cousins playing, and the joy on a child’s face as the tree is decorated.
- Worry well – Analyze last year’s stresses and try to avoid them. If you rushed on Christmas Eve to wrap the presents, then make time earlier to avoid working until the last second.
Smart holiday shopping
Here are some tips from the Better Business Bureau.
- Plan ahead. Set a realistic budget and stick to it. Also, make a gift list to avoid buying impulse gifts that may be too expensive.
- Compare prices and shop carefully. Holiday “sales” sometimes are not the bargains they appear to be.
- Ask the merchant about its refund and exchange policy. A store is not obligated to provide refunds, exchanges or credits unless the item is defective or was misrepresented.
- If shopping on the internet, know the website’s privacy policy before you place an order. If you are not comfortable entering your credit or charge card account number on-line, call it in to the company’s 800 number or fax it.
- Give wisely. If you are approached in person for a donation, do not give if you are pressured or if the solicitor is vague. Ask for written information to review. If the appeal is legitimate, your donation will be just as appreciated after the holidays as before the holidays. Check with the Wise Giving Alliance, www.give.org, for information on charities.
Gift ideas
If you are stuck to find a gift for the special people in your life, consider: relaxation coupons; a nail care basket; a bath, hair and skin care basket; lounge wear; mittens, toque or scarf; a gift certificate to a favourite store; tickets for an event; homemade treats; artwork; photographs; subscriptions and memberships; or the gift of time to someone who would appreciate some help with babysitting, shoveling snow, walking a pet, a shopping trip or simply a drive to see the Christmas lights.
Skillet lasagna
This dish is great for those busy nights in the holidays. Serve with your favourite greens to make your meal complete.
1/2 pound lean ground beef 250 g
1 cup cooked lentils 250 mL
1 large green pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 jar pasta sauce 700 mL
13/4 cups water 425 mL
1/2 cup onion 125 mL
12 oven-ready lasagna noodles,
broken into quarters
1 cup shredded cheese 250 mL
Brown meat in large skillet on medium heat; drain. Add lentils, peppers, garlic, pasta sauce, water and onions; bring to boil. Stir in noodles; reduce heat to medium-low. Cover.
Cook, stirring occasionally, 10 to 15 minutes, or until noodles are tender. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover; let stand five minutes or until cheese is melted. Serves four.
Gingerbread figures
Decorating Christmas cookies is a great way to spend time with family and friends. These treats are also a good gift for teachers and neighbours.
1/2 cup butter or hard 125 mL
margarine, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar 125 mL
1/2 cup molasses 125 mL
1 egg yolk, large
2 cups flour 500 mL
1/2 teaspoon baking powder 2 mL
1/2 teaspoon baking soda 2 mL
1 teaspoon cinnamon 5 mL
1 teaspoon ginger 5 mL
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 2 mL
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1 mL
1/4 teaspoon salt 1 mL
Cream butter, sugar, molasses and egg yolk together until light. Add the rest of the ingredients. Mix well. Wrap in plastic and chill at least one hour. Roll out. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Arrange on baking sheet. Bake at 350 F (180 C) for 10 to 15 minutes. Cool.
Frosting
1 egg white, large
2 cups icing sugar 500 mL
Beat egg white with spoon in medium bowl. Beat in as much icing sugar as needed until icing will hold its shape. Ice cookies.
You can also use candies or sprinkles to complete your gingerbread person’s look.
Makes 12 to 16 gingerbread people or a
variety of other shapes.
The true meaning of Christmas has nothing to do with spending money. Have fun and enjoy the people around you. Christmas is a time to be treasured for the feeling it gives us.
Most memorable gift contest winners
Readers responded to our Christmas contest about a memorable gift they had received. Many stories touched our hearts and we will share a few in next week’s column.
The winner of the Western Producer cooler was Janet Kuntz, White City, Sask.
The following readers will receive a Western Producer beverage container: Irene Senyk, Saanichton, B.C.; Mildred Canart, Elkhorn, Man.; Marnie Sholdice, Calgary; Elaine Vigar, Lancer, Sask.; Naden Hewko, Cactus Lake, Sask.; Viv Hannah, Acme, Alta.; Elsie Rud, North Battleford, Sask.; M. Krentz, Keoma, Alta.; Violet Teichroeb, Warman, Sask.; Anna Mary Anwender, Regina.
The winners of the canola spa kits and cook books are: Rose Engbloom, Wetaskiwin, Alta.; Deloris Sutherland, Plunkett, Sask.; Hilda J. Born, Abbotsford, B.C.; Judy Van Haren, Lacombe, Alta., and Marilyn Pateman, McAuley, Man.
The winners of the Atco cook books are: Sandra MacDonald, Elrose, Sask.; Judy Varga, Calgary; Shirlene Donaldson, Lumsden, Sask.; Louise Bailey, Wiseton, Sask.; Joan Airey, Rivers, Man.; Lela Moore, Rosetown, Sask.
Jodie Mirosovsky is a home economist from Rosetown, Sask., and one of four columnists comprising Team Resources. Send correspondence in care of this newspaper, Box 2500, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2C4 or contact them at team@producer.com.
