By Brenda Cannon Henley
We haven’t enjoyed our turkey or ham and dressing with all of the trimmings yet, but the stores and advertisements are all pushing Christmas. I was a bit startled while traveling recently to walk into one of the bigger stores and almost ran directly into a brightly decorated tree with presents all around the bottom. I had to think for a moment about the date and realized that many were already doing their Christmas shopping and fretting over gift wrapping, decorating, and cooking. On one of the local news channels tonight, the listeners were asked if they had completed their holiday shopping. More than a million nationally replied that they had.

My three children are now grown with children of their own. Looking back over the years of many celebrations, I am fairly pleased with traditions we established and enjoyed in our family. My son, now a busy pastor in Florida, mentioned the last time we were together how well he remembered packing the brightly wrapped packages in the trunk or seats of one or the other of our vehicles in preparation for travel to be with the extended family. He reminded me of how careful I asked them to be with the bows and decorations. I do love pretty packages and get a kick out of choosing a yearly theme, buying paper and bows, and wrapping each gift with love and individuality. It is a hangover from teaching gift-wrapping techniques at Belk’s in the Atlanta area to earn extra income.

If I could make one or two suggestions by way of this column that I feel might help young couples with busy lives, I would urge you to realize that your child or children do not have to receive every gift they see on television or the computer and they won’t die if they do not get exactly what they say they want. Set reasonable limits that won’t break the budget and learn to do fun things together that create the memories that become the best loved. Teach your family early on in life to share. Choose a family that needs some help or encouragement and let each member of your family buy and wrap a gift to take near Christmas.

So many neighbors, folks in care centers, and people your church could recommend should be considered for this project. Shared joy is twice blessed. And, as parents, you are modeling a giving behavior that will benefit your children in the future and those around you in the community.

Set aside a night or a Saturday to bake and decorate holiday cookies or candy to share. What fun if everyone is involved. Plan to attend one or more musical presentations or plays in your community during the holidays and don’t forget to write a thank you note following the event to let the presenters know how much it meant to you and your family. They have worked hard for your enjoyment.

I am a big believer in the old fashioned sending and receiving of Christmas cards, and even though I know it is expensive and time consuming, I still try to do it. For some, it may be the only heartfelt cheer that comes into their home. Write a personal note if you possibly can and get them in the mail.

One of the things my children talk about still is a tradition we did often on holidays. As the family and guests gather for the big meal, either on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve, jot down everyone’s name and drop them into a container. I had a turkey for Thanksgiving, a sleigh for Christmas, and a bell for New Year’s Eve. Ask each guest to draw one name and go around the table or room allowing each to say something about the person whose name they drew. It might be something they admire about them, something they learned from them, or a thank you for something they have shared. It really does add a special quality to the event and it will be remembered for years to come.

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas, 2016.
[11-14-2016]

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at (409) 781-8788, or
[email protected].