Christmas Spirit All Year Long

Okay, so I have written my cards, handed them out, and even been on a few Christmas light road trips. Today, I went with someone from work to see "Blindside". It has been over two years since I have been to the movies. It is funny how exciting something so simple can be after you are away from it for awhile. And the movie didn't disappoint me either.
I won't tell you the story- I promise. I simply can't quit thinking about it, though. At Christmas time either people run for cover and hide from every jingle bell, every merry greeting, and every Christmas light aglow, or they rush out to shop, to decorate, and offer a hand to those around them. It is funny how something that feels so good can be pushed aside after the season is over with. Please, understand now that I am not climbing on top of my soapbox. I am speaking about myself here. It is so easy to know when Christmas comes around to carry a few dollar bills in my purse for the salvation army, to say Merry Christmas and smile at everyone around me. But do I do it the rest of the year? Do I carry an open, giving, caring heart every other day of the year? I'd rather not answer that because I know the answer isn't one I'm proud of.
In these days and times, considering safety, we can't just offer money to strangers who approach us in the parking lot, nor can we give a ride to someone who needs it. It sounds harsh, but it is the reality of things. Often times, when I am trying to think of what I might do, of what help I might offer, I turn to the "big" ideas. I admire those that can so easily step into those roles because I, unfortunately, can not. I question and worry and end up letting time pass by without saying or doing a thing. I am beginning to think more about it however. I honestly believe that I should think of the small things as well, start with what sounds slightly more comfortable first and then see where it takes me. For instance, just because one person is excellent at giving speeches to get a job done doesn't mean that everyone must do the same to complete the same job. God uses each of us in the grand scheme of things. He has given us different gifts and speaks to us at different times in different ways.
I suppose I am going the long way about just to explain this one thought. Please forgive me- it is a bad habit of mine.
In this movie, you see someone take a chance. This woman opens her home to a boy who had no one and nothing. She knew nothing about him and yet she opened her heart to him. Her husband and their family followed her example. Each accepting him as one of their own. Just as we wish the best for anyone we love and do our best to support them, they did the same for this young man. He, in turn, found himself falling in love with them, respecting them, and wanting nothing more than to please them and protect them.
Now, as said above, picking up strangers and opening doors to people we don't know isn't the best idea generally speaking. In this circumstance, however, it was part of God's plan. It was something they did without any logical reasoning behind it, without wanting anything in return simply because they felt that it was the right thing to do. I truly believe God puts desires within our hearts, that He makes us consider things as we may not have at any other time. I believe He will cause us to want and feel something completely new to us at certain times. It is those times when we must decide what we will do. I have felt such feelings, thought such things. When I haven't followed through, I kick myself afterwards wondering why I didn't just do it. When I do follow through however, when I let Him lead me through whatever it may be, I end up feeling this incredible excitement, this love, this true feeling of rightness unlike any other time and I immediately want to do more. To me, it may be something so small, which is usually why I wonder why I can't quit thinking about it. It isn't until I've followed through that I understand. Sometimes, I haven't seen the result, but this settled calmness comes over me and I feel like it truly was the right thing to do. Other time, God has allowed me to see just some of what came from such small acts and I can't question who was really responsible for what just happened- Him.
I was reading a notice on this website Natalie suggested last year http://www.anysoldier.com/ . It pointed out that sending heavy packages to our troops isn't the best idea when they have to move about allot and quickly at that. It also isn't the best idea to send packages at Christmas time. They end up being bombarded with gifts that they can't carry around with them. They suggested sending small, light Christmas decorations in October or November and cards throughout that time, pointing out such things are easier to move about with. It boost their morale, which can mean more to them than just having something to open. This makes a another point here. Giving a gift just to give one, waiting until Christmas to give or Valentines to say I love you isn't always the best idea. Writing a letter to a relative that has made an impact on your life and wanting them to know, or sending a note to someone you may not get along with but you still care about is a great way to make a difference. Giving a Christmas card to Scrooge himself isn't a bad idea at all.
It is just something to think about. To give without wanting payback, to help without a thank you, to listen at all times for those little whispers He puts in our hearts is truly a great thing.
Merry Christmas!
Paige

Think Christmas!

Alright, it is that time of the year that we have all been waiting for- Christmas! There are so many things to be done at this time of year. It is often hard to remember everything. Besides the usual traditions, we sometimes try to make new ones, hoping to remember those ideas when the time comes. Every year I tell myself that I am going to make a list. This was the first year, though, that I actually followed through and made my Christmas to-do list. Grabbing a sheet of Christmas stationary, I began writing out my plans. There are things that you know you are going to do and they are so important to you that there really is no need to write it down at all. Then again, it is always fun to check off what is on the list! My list this year consisted of the following:

Christmas Pillow Shams

Decorate Christmas Tree

Hang Vintage Christmas Cards
Wrap Presents

Make Christmas Cards

Hang Christmas Pictures

Finish Christmas Shopping

Write Christmas List

Work on Christmas Blog

Work on Christmas Board Game (a surprise present for my sister and brother both)

I know that it isn't much, but I must admit that even now as I sit here writing this, it hasn't all been done. Perhaps a to-do list can take away all the fun, but for me it seems to be a helpful tool. With Christmas music playing I made my list, keeping in mind more realistic goals for this Christmas. I keep it hanging on my bulletin board where I can see it each day. Of course, I have to work around my work schedule which really isn't that big a deal. As I work, I find myself day dreaming and falling into that special place where all you can see is your own little Christmas room filled with memories and stories. At times, I imagine myself hosting Christmas parties, serving frosted homemade sugar cookies, wearing my favorite Christmas apron, and my tree glowing while Christmas music plays gently throughout the room. Other times, I imagine myself curled up on a big comfy couch watching the fire glow, a cup of steamy hot chocolate in hand, dressed in my big comfy pajamas. Of course, there are also those times when I see a tiny figure in my arms, pulling at my hair while I stare at that sweet little face all dressed in Christmas clothes. In front of me there is another little one staring over each ornament on the tree with studious eyes and asking "Where did this one come from, Mommy?" just like I remember doing. Stockings are hanging on the mantel (fireplace or not- stockings will hang!) and the Chipmunks are singing at top squeak. I know, I am getting too ahead of myself. My point is, to me, all of this is just practice- the cards, the baking, the sewing, the over-decorating, the tree....everything. All these years, I have watched and admired my mother as she worked so hard to make Christmas a very special time at our home. From the at-home flocking to Jesus' birthday cake, she didn't miss a single detail. We had presents and laughter, list and reindeer food. As we were each let in on that little secret about Santa, we didn't say a word to each other. Our disappointment seemed to fade away as we realized how much fun it had been to believe for that time, and we suddenly wanted nothing more than for the younger one(s) to believe. Keeping each other from peeking and helping each other behave seemed an impossible task when we ourselves felt so weak, yet we followed through each year. It has always been such a happy time at my house, so full of excitement and traditions. Suddenly, the little arguments seem like such trivial things and you don't really care anymore. You smile and say Merry Christmas and count down the days. The older I've gotten, I've definately come up with some thoughts of my own, like doing cards the day after Thanksgiving, wearing Christmas earrings to work no matter what, making bows to wear with my uniform whether it matched or not, humming Christmas jingles, and being sure to say Merry Christmas even to "humbugs". Getting out in the world a little helped me become even more thankful for my family's traditions, especially when it comes to Christmas. I suddenly realized that now is the time to practice, to begin to prepare for the task which has almost always fallen on women. For instance, Daddy handles the Christmas lights outside and is always called upon to gather heavy boxes, fix up tree and tackle tree lights, but it is my mother who leads each project within the house. She decides what to bake, which treats to make, which music is called for, where to set what, which cards to send where, and what theme each card will have. If you have a mother like mine, you know she also spends a good deal of time considering the match between her child and each gift as well as how to wrap them. It really is quite exciting and something I love to think about.

No time left to consider it tonight, though. It is late and time is wasting. Sleep calls, rest needed, so much work to be done! :)

Merry Christmas!

Paige

So Who Puts the Star on Top this Year?

Decorate Christmas Tree*
The Christmas tree is often times an all day event, sometimes even spanning throughout several days. Some people wait until just before Christmas to decorate, while others (who shall remain nameless), can barely wait until Thanksgiving. Of course there is some debate as to which is better- the fresh scented, real tree or the easy to set up, artificial one. The hunt for the perfect Christmas tree is certainly a time that can not be forgotten. It adds to the many Christmas memories we will have later in life. Still, memories can be made just as easily of pulling out the large bins, separating each limb by color and letter, and putting the family tree together as Daddy leads his band of troops in assembly. It is simply a matter of preference and what is best for your family.

For instance, when I was growing up, we always had a real tree. There was even a Christmas tree farm in our small town where my parents would take my sister and I each year. When I was about nine however, the older gentleman who owned it had to give it up. We spent an entire day that year in search of our tree. At last, we found a small stand set up beside a closed sno-cone shack. We weren't too thrilled with the prospects, but looked about the small lot in spite of ourselves. Did I mention that in true family tradition this was done the day before Thanksgiving? Anyway, we actually found a really nice tree and were happy to see it tied atop our vehicle. Before heading home, my parents stopped off at our favorite Chinese restaurant and picked up dinner. Daddy brought the tree in with my mother's help and soon had the tree in its stand. While we ate dinner, we enjoyed the new game show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire".Afterwards, with hands covered in homemade flocking, we listened to the Celine Deon concert on television as our fingers plucked at the poined pine needles. The next day of course, we couldn't do anything more than stare at the beautiful white tree. All the while we begged my parents to let us decorate that night. They held off until the next day though, picking up the fun where we had left off. That was one of my favorite Christmas tree trips ever. Every year since then has been different. We bought real trees from several other places over the next few years, even driving two hours home with them tied to the roof of our car just so we could have a real pine tree. A little bit of that only goes so far however, and pretty soon Daddy has had enough. I am happy to say though that our fake tree actually looks real compared to most and it isn't much of an issue anymore.

Over the years, we have even been allowed to add our own trees to our own rooms. Every room in our house actually has a Christmas tree now. Every tree is different and tells a different story. They each have their character. Of course Christmas trees are really just the beginning. The entire room seems to flow from that tree. For instance, I go for the Grinch look- everything oddly shaped, sparkly and brightly painted. My sister goes for the more vintage, mystery look with her dark purples and browns. My brother decided on a "Natchitoches" theme this year. Yes, it even includes blinking lights threaded from his tree to the top of his bed posts, where they are crisscrossed just as the entrance to our favorite family trip is each year.

To start, I put on some Christmas music. Bing Crosby's voice filled my room as I reached up into my closet for the heavy boxes. Laying everything out where I could see it, I began packing away everything that had no place in the soon-to-be Christmas room. Then, I put together the tree and began threading through the clear, white lights. This was followed by a blue strand and then a red strand. Then came my favorite- my bubble lights. Once every light was in place, I began wrapping around my ribbon, two different types this year. After that, I placed the balls and then just went wild hanging each individual ornament. Of course, last but not least I hung my tree topper. There is never an argument when it is your tree. Come to think of it, there never really has been an argument about the tree topper in my house. It is really Daddy's thing. My mother unwraps it carefully, hands it to him, and then he fiddles with it until it stands up straight enough.

Some people add tree skirts, which most definately adds a greater touch of character. Some of us, however, add packages! Whatever the ornaments, however real or artificial, forgetting the broken strands that always seem to appear in those boxes retrieved from the attic- decorating the tree is a big deal. It is a family event and one of the many memories that come at this time of year. Unwrapping the delicate and less fragile of ornaments, you are called back in time to the last time you studied that ornament, that shopping trip that brought you to it, or your mother's stories of your very first Christmases.

Happy Decorating!

Paige

Before the Present Presents Itself

Finish Shopping* Wrap Presents*
For years, my sister and I were unable to buy each other Christmas presents. My parents bought all of our gifts. Still, we wanted to be a part of the gift giving excitement. We would scan through pictures, study books, and listen for items that had made the other's Christmas list. Even when my brother came along, we were still busying ourselves with the handmade gifts. Some years, we put signs on the door- often times reading "Elves at Work". We not only made for each other, but for our parents. I can't recall every gift. I can simply remember the excitement that filled us when we got to work. We were so happy to be giving whatever the gift may be. In our minds, we just knew that the other would love it. Every gift had a story. Every handmade object had been the effort to give a gift that reminded that person that you cared, that you noticed, that you had listened to them all year long. Thinking back, very few of those gifts ever came out the way we'd planned, but we gave them with happy hearts and anxious excitement.

It wasn't until I was 15 that the rules suddenly changed. My parents suggested that (with their help, of course) we might each buy a gift for the other. We were so excited. Ever since then, one of the store bought gifts beneath the tree are from one of us to the other. We still make gifts when we can. For instance, my sister, who taught herself how to knit, always seems to manage a gift that she has knitted herself. I on the other hand am always up in the air with my ideas, and my brother seems to manage to make something from Daddy's workshop. At the end of the day, though, it doesn't so much matter that the gift is store bought or not as much as the thoughtfulness of the gift. Giving gifts is hard, especially for strangers or even new friends. My parents, my sister, and my brother are all fun to shop for and make gifts for. Sure- it's stressful, because I care. I want them to open that package and smile. I want them to be surprised, maybe even cry a little here and there. Sometimes, I even want them to laugh. It is an exciting time thinking of ideas.

When I have finally finished making and purchasing my gifts, I generally store them everywhere in my room. Perhaps not the best idea, but I haven't lost a gift yet. "Yet" being the key word here. Finally, I gather all of the gifts together along with my wrapping paper, tape, scissors, and gift tags. This year, I even thought to include a small sticky pad. While boxing and wrapping gifts, it was easier to mark them with a small sticky note with the name of the family member receiving the gift until I was ready to place the gift tags. Sometimes gifts can get lost in the process of boxing and wrapping, leaving a moment of confusion. This saved some time and kept things moving. I was tempted to buy the premade bows this year, but was able to resist. As crazy I get when it comes to making the package bows, there is something about curling ribbon that puts a smile on my face. This year, I bought new gift tags with Coca-Cola Santas and scenes from A Christmas Story. After I was through wrapping my presents, I set them neatly under the tree. I was later informed that my little brother took it upon himself to findhis marked gift and give it a good shake. I am sure I should be surprised, but he is still little and I can't really blame him. Besides, I placed plenty of tissue paper around his gift to keep it from moving around too much. It helps guard the secrecy of the items inside from the curious fingers that grasp hold before Christmas (my little brother :). A little Christmas music or a favorite movie is always an added bonus when working on gifts. Once through, just sit back and count the days. It is fun to watch the curious stares that find their way to certain packages. The present under the tree really is one of the best kept secrets of the year.
Happy Wrapping!
Paige