NANA SAYS SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE WANTS FROM SANTA

Children has many Christmas requests. They have their list for Santa and sometimes do forget what they want from Mom and Dad. One little granddaughter of mine just wants dresses- she's three and easy to please. The older children have some electronics on their lists. So one grandson asked what do you want Nana from Santa. I thought for a moment and basically told him just to be with my family and all my precious grandchildren is what I want. The smile on his face said it all. Children need to hear how much they are loved. How much being a part of a family is important. Creating those happy moments and messages can come many opportunities for good mental and emotional health for all. I want to be remembered as the grandparent who let not only my grandchildren but my children and friends know they are loved. So have you told someone today you love them? Santa would be happy!

CHRISTMAS MAGICAL MOMENTS

Christmas magic happens because adults make it happen. The recent Toy Mountain Drive in the GTA went over its number to get 150,000 toys donated. The CHUM Christmas wish is doing well. Food bank drives and adopting a family drives for Christmas are in full swing. In every area across Canada, adults are helping local people with their special Christmas collections and efforts to feel some magic! Santa and all the Santas out there that make sure the children in their lives have magical moments! Some of my work colleagues went together to make magic happen for a couple of little girls that wanted some new bedding for their new place. Me-I did my own thing and made some magic of my own! Grandparents are able to fill some gaps in the wish lists for the grandchildren at the relief of the parents! Helps to fill the spaces under the tree! The fun with making magical moments-like a living room with music boxes, singing snowmen, santas to touch and boxes to rearrange- is the adults can revisit all the magic of Christmas. I sometimes watch from another room my grandchildren enjoying Nana and Granpa's things! A home with the preferred family decorations or theme with lights bring a joy, coziness and room to create memories. Every Christmas tree decorated to the owner's special effort! I love decorated trees and often spend time just looking at all the ornaments and things on them to appreciate the care and effort that went into it! Yes the season with all the fuss and hoopla can make many adults really tired! After the tired comes the magic and those magical moments with little children on Christmas morning thrilled that Santa came. For the big children looking through that Christmas stocking for all the little things that arrived by magic! But honestly there are no magicians just a lot of busy elves with various names like Mommy, Daddy, auntie, uncle, grandpa, grandmother-well you get the picture! To all that make the magic happen, enjoy the moments!!

NANA SAYS CHILDREN KEEP US YOUNG AT CHRISTMAS

As we age the magic of Christmas fades and becomes a series of tasks to be done. Then little children come along and remind us of the magic. Visiting the Christmas story of Jesus in the manger and providing a creche to act out the story helps with the process. Decorating with items that can be touched and enjoyed give children and grandparents a chance to share some moments together. While babysitting two of my grandsons after work, we were turning on the musical ornaments, playing with the Hallmark snowman items, and building a huge tower with some decorative Christmas boxes while waiting for "Mommy" to pick them up. Letting little children direct their play can be fun. Having some Christmas hats to wear rounded out the play. In the "hustle and bustle" of the season, find moments just to slow down and enjoy the little children in your life. Watching my grandsons running around with the hats- bought at the Dollar store- well for a dollar was enjoyable. Since parents are busy with work, shopping and creating those Santa moments, grandparents can create some good memories for their family members. A reminder that many Christmas decorations that can be broken are left in boxes in the closet to be put out when the grandchildren are older. I love my home to be fun so I have the items that can be touched out on tables. The next visit may include some spontaneous craft moments with the older granddaughter when she comes. There is so much pressure for parents this time of year with the constant reminders for children to be good - Santa is watching! So children and grandparents together can be the relief needed. Besides as grandparents, aren't we all just little children at heart anyway!!

SANTA IS EVERYWHERE!

Santa is very busy this time of year. With parades and pictures with young children along with answering all those letters, no wonder he turns to food to keep sane. Are you a Santa helper? Are you the one in your family that keeps on giving? Do you make sure your loved ones have a good Christmas? Do you take joy in the wonders of the season? Or are you Scrooge with the bah humbug? Watch out because your family Santa is watching and might just bring some cheer into your life! Oh Christmas! The season! Like the real Santa with the big belly, have a chocolate or two to keep going!