CHRISTMAS CARDS ARE HUNG

in the doorway with care. When you send cards to friends and families every Christmas, the delight is receiving one back with little messages and updates. My Christmas newsletter is well received by many and those that think it is lame-oh well!! In the last week, I have had some fun. A card from one of our Armed Forces personnel from Haiti thanking me for my well wishes. As everyone knows, I have sent letters or cards and before September 11th little packages to our Armed Forces personnel wherever they are serving. I usually may get one letter or card back. Last year I did not receive one which is okay but in my mailbox this week the card from one was waiting. Then Zia Maria in Georgia, USA thanking us in Italian for the update. Sylvia on Vancouver Island that writes long messages in her cards every year makes her card a joy. Debra telling me she loves reading my newsletter every year. Cathy still working and loving it! Some just sign their name after a Merry Christmas. Of course an email newsletter is printed and placed with with cards!! I save all the stamps as I am a collector as most people know! I love the young family cards with the recent family photos! Love that the younger crowd still sends out lots of cards that way! Close family will also receive a phone call because the voice on the other end is good to hear. Oh Christmas card, oh Christmas card you are a pleasure in my life! To all who sent one, your card in hanging in a special spot and has another special place in my heart!!

NANA SAYS USE THE CHRISTMAS BREAK TO REGROUP AS A FAMILY

After the big day and the Holidays are in full swing, it is often a challenge to plan for the children when they are away from school. Chilling at home and playing with the new toys and gadgets may take some creative planning. Families used to the "busyness" of rushing out the door, lessons, eating in a hurry need to regroup and rethink the chilling piece. If your child received some new books, sit and read with him or her. If a new board game was in the mix then actually sit and play it. New skates-go skating! A new sled-go sledding! Skis-go skiing! Even bundling up in warm clothes and frolicking in a new snow-making snow angels, building a snowman! Oh yes, a trip south with all the rushing can occur too! But many people remain at home and parents take time off work due to the Stat days. So parents what do you need for yourself too! Time to read and catch up on your correspondence-no I do not mean a quick tweet but maybe a real phone call or visit with a friend! With all the children at home, maybe sharing playdays so the parents can go out! No I do not mean more shopping although the sales will be plentiful and irresistible! Taking time to slow down and regroup is important for families. Some of my best memories are the chilling days as a child. Lazing around the house in my PJs enjoying my new Christmas gifts until it was time to return to school after the holidays. We focus too much on how busy we are. It becomes too competitive with other parents to try to outdo the number of things and activities we have. " My child has 6 lessons! Well my child has 10 lessons!" Not much has changed from the time my own children were little and in copious lessons. There was competition then too! So maybe be the parent that brags about learning to stop and enjoy the quiet moments and simple activities with their children will be the cool parent. Perhaps more cuddles on the couch. Long talks and walks with the teenagers. Listening not just hearing what is going on in their lives. Perhpas putting away all the cell phones and other gadgets for several hours daily to enjoy the quiet! Remember life is short! The time enjoying the little ones and even the older ones will pass! So can a goal for this break in your schedult help you as a parent to rethink, regroup and just plan enjoy some fun moments whatever they may be with the children and other people in your life. Oh yes, don't forget the children can enjoy some quiet moments with the grandparents too! Merry Christmas! If you celebrate other holidays, Happy Holidays to you! 

CANADIANS LOVE THEIR CRANBERRIES

Canadians love their Cranberries. Grown here by the First nations' people and then adapted by the White Men and women who came. Strung together they could be a decoration along the branches of a Christmas tree. Used in muffins-just try one by Tim Hortons or make your own. Cranberry juice is good for your bladder-can fend off those nasty infections! Now there are dried cranberries that can be used in other dishes like your morning oatmeal with milk! For many festive parties this time of year, a cranberry based punch is a delight at any party. Adding some Canada Dry Ginger Ale to the cranberry juice with some fresh cranberries to float on top-guests can drink it! Non-alcholic or add a little vodka it complements the food served! Of course Cranberries are a must with the Christmas Day turkey dinner. Made into a side dish to put on some turkey just makes the meal very authentic Canadian. Oh cranberry! Perhaps a poem should be made about the lovely cranberry! Should I get started?  

CANADA HAS ITS WHITE CHRISTMAS SEASON

Yes it will be a Canadian white Christmas! But what is it about snow and Christmas! Ever since the movie a White Christmas does it signify one with the other. In many parts of the world people can go to the beach at Christmas. But here in Canada-snow is needed to make it pretty. With the last weekend with many parts of the country being slammed with snow and cars in the ditch, snow is not always so pretty. I spent over an hour clearing my driveway yesterday. Only 15 cm in our part of the country. The Maritimes had a lot more with the snow and wind heading to Newfoundland. Alberta has had several snowstorms since October! Of course Manitoba gets snow early in the season. Christmas needs the snow to make it pretty. Lots of Christmas cards feature snow and children skating and sledding down hills. A famous Canadian painter-Kreighoff painted many winter scenes featuring snow and people frolicking in it! So it will be a White Christmas afterall!

CANADIAN CHRISTMAS IMAGES AND MEMORIES

Christmas evokes many images and memories for all of us. There are cultural traditions. There are family traditions. Many people from other parts of the world have brought their traditions that now blend with Canadian traditions. My husband did not do much on Christmas day in Italy. Since coming to Canada in the late 1950s his Italian group have adapted to presents under the Christmas tree and other traditions that they have forgotten they were Canadian traditions in the first place!! So what memories do you have of your childhood Christmases? For me it was the stocking filled with little goodies, a large delicious apple and a large orange? My mother grew up during the Depression of the 1930s in Canada so fruit was scare in the winter for her as a child. An apple and orange in her stocking would have been a treat so she carried on the tradition with us. Of course the Santa gift was always beside the stocking. Although my family really does not eat plum pudding, I need to buy a small one to have in the house to have a little taste on Christmas day. My mother would add some rum to the sauce so it was very flavourful! I always gave my children a stocking but Adolph did not grow up with the stocking tradition. It was not much fun giving him a stocking filled and he did not reciprocate. It came with little meaning for him so as a couple we did not do the stocking thing. Actually I miss it as most adults I know still do a stocking for each other. Just love to hear about those "stocking stuffers"! So I have the memory anyway! With my house nicely decorated and the tree up, the coziness of my home brings a sense of peace and joy. As a child I liked to sit by the Christmas tree with the lights which is something I still enjoy. Snuggled in a corner of my love seat, I can knit or crochet, read a book or quietly listen to music. There is that seasonal bliss that comes with the Christmas season. Even in stores seeing well decorated trees can be admired! Oh the memories and images-I could go on but perhaps in another post! How about you? What images does it evoke?

CHRISTMAS CAN BRING DEPRESSION AND SOCIAL ISOLATION

Amidst all the hoopla of the Christmas season, many people can feel depressed and socially isolated. Trying to find your way can be difficult. Family events should be fun but often can be very stressful if there are unresolved family issues. If alone, try to be around people. Even going to a movie alone will bring some social sense to your life. If depressed-call a crisis line, call your doctor or if you find coping is too difficult go to your nearest emergency department to seek help. Remember the season will pass! Don't be afraid to ask other lonely people to your dinner or events. It may make a difference in their lives.



NANA SAYS-STOP-YOUR CHILD WILL NEVER BE THIS AGE AGAIN

In the midst of your busy hectic parental life, stop! Where and why are you rushing? Remember this-your child will never be this age again. So if you want to read that book, do that craft, just spend some actual not running around quality time-you must make it happen! Christmas can be very busy so make unbusy moments happen. Do shorter activities! What works for your child! Or children? Less is more! The most important social person is the parent with little children. But even bigger children need your time and wisdom. Sure kids want things! But they need you. Pick a simple activity or watch a movie together or go for that quick meal at a favourite restaurant! Whatever? When you find yourself saying, I don't have time! Stop! Look at what you are doing and can you find the time for your child? Remember your child will never be 1 month, 2 years, or 8 years or 15 again. Before you blink an eye-all grown up!! So what are you doing-hurry and stop to enjoy the miracle in front of you!!