Christmas Spirit ...........

 Spent the day yesterday at the "Foodbank" where I go every Thursday to help out those in  need

This time it was to take names for Christmas hampers ( food for Christmas ,presents and all the trimmings)

I was saddened by the amount of peeps that had to come in and sign up this yr we had more than double the amount

They were embarrassed to say the least at having to ask for help

Many were two income families and have 4 to 5 kids which they just cannot afford to to get all the stuff for

While there with some of the older ppl I made a few suggesstions and talked about the days where we popped popcorn and had it strung arond tree made home made decorations

cookies and cakes to hand out to some ppl and family members in nice containers from the dollar store or better yet home made

Make Christmas cards .......homemade presents are the best come from the heart 

Those are my best memories of Christmas long ago

Not this Commercial Thing we have now where the most expensive gift is the "IN" thing 

Parents go into debt on Credit cards and such just to get that "Perfect expensive gift"

I am going back to the basics this year yes cait will get some bigger presents but not so I am broke for the rest of the yr

The whole Christmas Spirit and reason for celebrating is almost a forgotten thing IMO  WHAT are some of your favorite memories times and things you did at this time of the year

I loved hay rides with huge snowflakes listening to carollers singin my fav " Silent Night"

Just think about it I am sure you have some great memories there in your head

Share if you will lets get this spirit going

God Bless

Lyn

** We had so many ppl yesterday had to make today another day for signing them up so if you have an extra can of food non perishable item drop it off

If you can afford a couple of bucks get a small doll or lil firetruck drop it off

If you knit or crochet make some gloves slippers anything .......... 

There are so many kids out there that have nothing and so many parents that feel they have really let their children down and remember what Christmas IS ALL about ..........

Thanks to all

Lyn. 

 

My cousin understood giving at age 9. For her 9th birthday she decided (on her own) that she didnt want any gifts she simply wanted you to use the money you would have spent on the gift and she would take a collection and give it to a local childrens hospital. It was soo precious the kid is wise beyond her years.

I dontated some money to the guy ringing the bell outside of Michaels, does that count for Christmas spirit?

hehe

I don't know what to do in my area, I haven't found anything yet. I want to volunteer in the soup kitchen or something fun like that.

This is the most christmas spirit I've had in years! I used to DREAD Christmas and now I can't WAIT. I feel like I'm 5 years old again LOL

Twiggygal~

SWEET thanks hopeful!! I appreciate it......

Twiggygal~

You cannot tell me that no one has good / great memories ( if only small ones) of Christmas past

I just adore the smell of christmas trees, my mum's gluten free shortbread and the delicious mango chicken salad we always eat (summer here).  I'm going home to sydney to spend the week with my mum, sis and her little ones.  I can't wait.  I love plane-rides (wierd for a panicker I know!!!) and I'm helping out with a food hamper fundraiser..it feels good to help doesn't it??

Mostof my "traditions have been lost through the years as my parents liked to change things up on me ...but...in my happier times I remember....

going out asa family to get a christms tree...In later yrs my parents couldnt be bothered and well they got a fake onethat the folded up an dstashed away every yr. I also remember when I was little my brother and I (The only time of yr we agreed on anything) would sneak into the living room super early in the morning while my parents were asleepand stake out the presents from santa. Then we would run to my parents and wake them up begging them to wake up and open presents. My mom would come out and put on the coffee while we waited for dad and the camera (he was always the slow one). Also one white christmas I had built a snow man on the porch (the porch was almost as wideas the house) wellchristmas eve was a white one and the family was all over and my mom would keep having me check on my snowman. They kept pushing it across the porch as if it came to life...me being young and illible believed them and thought it was sooooo coool that he was alive.

This Year I am going to semi ressurect the "tree tradition." My bf is gonna take me to get a tree and help me decorate it etc. I cant wait. My mom thinks its stupid and my grandma tried to offer me a spare fake tree she has but it may be a small thing but it means alot to me to have a real tree. I was always big on traditions but being young had no say in keeping them. Now that I am on my own I am gonnatry and claim back christmas. We will see how it goes. Some radio stations have started christma music already and all it does is make me cry but we will see if the magic of christmas cant be revived.

I will NEVER forget (told Normal this one already) one yr when cait was about 9 or 10 anyways I always put out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for reindeer ......then I would drink half milk eat most of cookies and bite pieces off of carrots .....
Anyways this yr I also decided to climb up the antena and onto the semi detached roof and my bro passed up two pieces of 2by 4 and I made sleigh tracks in the roof top and I put bread ( pieces ) all over snow on ground
I have never seen Cait so excited and she still believed til she was 12 and one of other siblings told her ( and I imagine tv and friends ) that Santa did not exists
I still believe in Santa in my heart always will and I have told her to do the same
I dont think I will need to eat carrots cookies and drink milk lol this yr but I will always remeber that yr especially
I also wrote her a letter from "Santa" every yr thanking her for feeding him and his reindeer ........she has kept everyone of them .........Memories are great if they make you happy and laugh at some things you just do ..........
Am a sap I know lol
Happy Holidays and thanks for sharing memories

Lil one there will be a real tree here for ya too

I know lil one we have had this discussion
I dont care how old you are
THERE IS A SANTA............

What are everyones plans for Christmas if you celebrate, or any other holiday you may celebrate this time of year.

They were collecting for toys for tots today at work so i gave a dollar. Its not much but I dont have much either.

How about it ppl any Christmas Spirit out there
Please do share with us .........
It does help sometimes IMO to open up memory bank and have a lil withdrwal just to escape the bad day or whatever
try it
you might just like it EH ..........
Lyn

I am glad that you got that message out of this thread
It is truly about Christmas and being with loved ones
Lyn
God Bless