Angels

In past years at work, we have done the traditional gift exchange - White Elephant, Secret Santa, etc. As much fun as that has been - and believe me, we have had some pretty great exchanges - this year we decided to participate in a charity - The Angel Tree. This has been one of the most memorable Christmases I can remember.

We started by collecting from the folks at work - we received $500+ which was so exciting!! We then went and selected a few names from the Christmas Angel Tree at the Macy*s store down the street. We selected 3 children and 3 adults. The cards were so sweet and their wishes were simple - on requesting only a "calendar for the upcoming year". We did most of the shopping on Wednesday afternoon, and completed the shopping today. I am not a professional shopper like some women I have met, and I am ashamed to say I was unprepared. My feet hurt, I was annoyed by the lines that took longer than 5 minutes, and I just wanted to go home and sleep. But, as we were shopping, we saw another family that was participating in a similar sort of charity - buying gifts and necessities for others. They were racing around the store with HUGE smiles on their faces, wondering what they could do for someone who was less fortunate than they. As I saw them, I resolved to stop whining and appreciate the things I had and that I had the opportunity to participate in this. We had such a great time shopping and I hope that the Angels we selected will get as much joy this Christmas as I have had. Sean and I have decided to make this a yearly tradition. I think it is important to instill the idea that there is more to Christmas than just gifts - that it is a time that we are to think of others rather than ourselve and to spread the Christmas spirit around.

Merry Christmas to all!!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!

Christmas is, by far, my most favorite holiday. Everywhere you go, there are decorations, candy to be eaten, presents to be given/received, etc. Nothing puts me in a better mood than driving down a street and night and see all the different houses with their many different decorations - how can you be grumpy when you're looking at a house all lit up with white, red and green lights? I am firmly convinced that it is not possible!

In regards to this lovely time of year, I have a beef with Political Correctness. I would rather hear someone wish me a "Merry Christmas", "Happy Hannukah", or "Happy Kwanzaa" rather than a generic "Happy Holidays". Political Correctness has its place, but Christmas is not one of them. Isn't freedom of religion one of the pleasures of living in this great country? And if so, don't we all have the pleasure of worshipping how, when, and where we please? And if that is the case, shouldn't we be able to wish people a Happy Whatever-Holiday-We-Choose-to-Celebrate? Well, this blogger will certainly be going through this Christmas season with a "Merry Christmas" on her lips!