Simplify Your Christmas

Christmas: a time for laughter, a time for cheer, a time for family, and a time to share...   Did last year’s Christmas season turn into a big blur? Don’t let it happen to you again this year.   Before your “to do” list gets too big, take a step back to decide what this holiday really means to you and how you want to spend it.   Then, put the magic back in Christmas and celebrate Christ’s birth at the same time with these simple ideas: •        Slow down.

  Don’t be in such a hurry to get from point A to point B.   Take the time to enjoy the magic of the season.

•        Read the story of Christ’s birth.   Take time out to remember what the holiday is really about.   Read the story of Christ’s birth and explain its meaning to your children, grandchildren, and/or friends.

•        Bake a birthday cake.   Help your children make a cake, decorate it, and then on December 24, sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus Christ.

•        Make a gift.   Instead of purchasing an expensive gift that you can’t afford, make your gift recipient’s favourite thing.

•        Stay home. Make arrangements to visit friends and family the day before or after the holiday, so that you can spend Christmas day at home, with your loved ones.

•        Play games.   What games do you remember playing as a child?   Are there any games that an entire group of people can play together?   Make time to be a kid again.

•        Light watch.   Is there an area in your town that goes all out with outside Christmas decorations?   Nothing brings more cheer to the holiday than watching the faces of young children “oh and ah” at the beauty of the lights.

•        Christmas carol.   Take your family and friends Christmas carolling.   You could even bring along a tin can and get donations for your local charit