DECEMBER-A TIME TO ENJOY THE CHRISTMAS SEASON

Leaving November behind, December is the month of fun, parties and work. Those last minute shoppers have a few weeks to buy their presents. For me, the season is about the spirit of it. What to do, where to go, who to help! The toy drives, the food bank, the charity donations, are part of the Christian way of doing things. Is there someone who needs to come for dinner? A phone call? An email? A longer letter in a Christmas card? The season makes us think about others we have not thought about for the year. A good thing as it gives us a chance to reach out and well touch someone or just connect! However, it is tiring. Are you tired yet? I know I am even though I am on track with all my Christmas stuff. Thank heaven for online shopping as it has helped me to round out those little purchases for grandchildren. So December 1 means we are in the home stretch. More lights on streets. The buzz picking up. Thinking about how to help those in need. Then melancholy moments of thinking about those no longer with us. Those who live far away and it would be nice to have them here for the holidays. Memories creep in! Usually good, but sometimes the ones that hurt. Remembering the last Christmas with someone. Knowing it would be the last one. It may be our last Christmas in our house so I do want to make it special. No definitive plans of moving but it feels right to think about it. The last year has brought some deep soul searching of what is next!! So Christmas brings up all the need of what has been, what is now and what is the future. Sounds a little like The Christmas Carol by Dickens doesn't it. Perhaps he had it right so many years ago. So are you going with the flow or has the season conjured up some deeper thoughts? Are you keeping it simple? Are you going full out with plans? Family dues! Concerts! Movies! Music! Oh December- the last month of 2015 but will it be a good one. I do hope so!!

THE CHRISTMAS STRESS PICKS UP

Lights in a blur like the frenzy of the season as it speeds up. So much to do! So how to manage it. Slow down and focus on one activity at a time. Christmas shopping can have themes. Rather than something different for everyone- a theme of tops or books or even gift cards to favourite places. If a crafter, making the same item but in different colours so no need to learn a new pattern every time. Remember it is not just about gift giving so the family events can bring lots of fun too. Everyone makes a dish or baked good so the load is off any one person to do it all! My children often rent a playground place close to Christmas so a group of friends with children can all enjoy an evening out with no one taking on the mess of clean up! However part of the season is to feel the frenzy and fun. Parties, dinners out or taking a small present to a special person in your life can bring a smile to your face. I remember walking home from work last year and seeing people with  little gift bags in their hands. The joy, the fun- when someone receives something it can bring a smile. I like to try to wrap with a little flair. This year I have lots of string ribbon so have devised a way to put 6 strands in the middle for a little extra something on top of a gift. Easy and I will use up lots of the ribbon I have. So sort through the Christmas stuff you have stock piled and use up your resources at hand. I found by pulling everything out, I found stuff I forgot I had. Of course having an area in your place where you can leave the wrapping so it is easy to grab what is needed. That space is my balcony and a corner of my bedroom- messy but only temporarily! The Christmas lights on the streets and businesses always bring me pleasure. I love the colours. Happy colours! So if stressed, stop and find something in the season you love- the lights? the music? a movie? or just a favourite drink- sit by the window and watch the snow come down! The season is just picking up. So if the heavy work is done like the outside lights, decorating the house, finalizing plans- December can begin with fun rather than just stress. Well there is always some stress but it means you are alive!

A COUNTDOWN TO A CANADIAN CHRISTMAS-4 WEEKS TO GO

The Christmas cards are signed and addressed with several family and friends receiving the Di Mambro newsletter. The out of town parcels that have be ready for two weeks will be sent today after work. The Christmas decorations have been hauled from the closet and they are sitting on the dining room table as slowly items will find their place in the house. Since there is an abundance of items, not everything gets put out every year. For years all the little Santa items stayed in the big tins. Only the big Santas were put out. This year however the high shelf that holds my African and other craft items will display many of those items. My collection of Christmas books will be available to visiting grandchildren. The sideboard in the family room will hold the crèche and other books on the Holy story! I will draw the kiddies attention to the display. If they want they can play with the crèche items.  My outside lights look okay. We are one of two houses that have lights up on the street so far! There will be a work dinner next Tuesday and the hospital dinner/dance next Friday. Some store bought cupcakes and brownies nicely decorated are in the freezer, just in case a quick lunch or invite is given. All the holiday wine and booze has been bought. I love the German cat bottle wine. I use some for the Christmas dinner. Bottles to take to other dinners or functions are waiting as well as using red wine as part of two Christmas gifts took some consideration. Going to the LCBO- the Liquor Control Board of Ontario- on a Tuesday night when casually browsing and stocking up for the holiday season as well as beyond was enjoyable. In another two weeks all the stores will be rammed and the selection diminished. Wine does not go bad so buying weeks in advance really works.  Yes I check those last minute sales. If someone is short a gift or two, there are always gift cards!!! Getting the outside purchases done will leave me time to wrap presents over the next few weeks. When the gifts are for immediate family it can be a slow process. Nicely wrapped or the modern way- tissue and throw in a gift bag. Again being available for babysitting. 1/2 of Saturday while working on decorating, two of my grandchildren will be here. So finding a way to include them in the process or just providing some craft materials for them. Lots of movies available- Christmas and others if wanted. Or they may want to play in the yard. Lost most of the snow from last week's storm but the light dusting last night may be enough for them. Yes it is time to put my favourite CDs in the player. What is Christmas without music?  Adolph wants to buy the Christmas tree but this weekend is not for decorating it. So his idea to put it in a corner of the garage and it can be brought in the house and put up when this big Elf is ready.  I usually like to put up a fresh tree about 10 days before Christmas. Eventually I will buy an artificial one but not yet. Still like the smell of a real one in the house. I love the modern world with the online shopping! Especially for the grandchildren when trying to make sure I have the right sizes for clothes. If buying for one person store shopping is easy but I found the online purchases for 5 to be less stressful and manageable. Some jaunts to the stores will occur as the  Christmas decorations are always pleasurable to see.  In the midst of all the work, there are always sappy Christmas movies to watch. It is hard to believe that November is almost over! December will bring the pressure of getting ready for all the season's happenings. Stay calm and Christmas on! Four weeks to go!

NOVEMBER-TIME FOR CELEBRATION AND PLANNING

November-often considered the dark month as the sun continues to move away from the Northern Hemisphere. With the reving up for Christmas and the festive season ahead, it can be a time for planning and celebration. Our family has two birthdays and dinner parties to consider. Looking for the bright moments amidst the rainy days and nights. Today Novemember 1 is "All Saints Day" for some people. A new month always brings some anticipation of good times yet to come. Of course, the monthly bills must be addressed. Pulling out the winter garb and knowing where the boots are located for that first trek to work in them is a chore to be done. Knowing November is still Fall so the spring bulbs can still be planted. I actually have about 40 to put in a small garden that can be seen from my kitchen window- a new package as well as some misc ones that came with the Easter tulips and others that were mistakenly pulled when pruning the tulip leaves! The remainder of the leaves to be raked and placed on the gardens to protect the other bulbs hibernating under the earth. Of course, a good month to finish all that Christmas shopping. Mid-month after Remembrance Day, the Christmas lights will go up! The month is actually busier than most people give it credit. For many students, the mid-terms are probably happening. Today, just enjoying the aftermath of halloween and trying to decide who gets all the leftover candies! Welcome November and all the big and little joys it will bring! What do you feel about November? Is it just another month to you? Any plans? Any celebrations?