Page 26 - Dec Banner 2017_Neat

Page 26 December 2017 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com

Catoctin

“Eat, Papa, eat!” —Mrs. Claus, Rudolph
the Red-nosed Reindeer. “You see, children hold the spirit of
Christmas within their hearts.” —
Spread out all the cookbooks and
K IDs For kids and parents alike pick favorite cookie recipes. Bake Bernard, The Santa Clause.
Hold a Christmas movie night
by Anita DiGregory Christmas cookies together. Deliver with hot cocoa, popcorn, and
some home-baked cookies to elderly yummy snacks. Have a Christmas
neighbors. Build a gingerbread
picnic by the tree. Make a bonfire
Memory-Making house. Make ice-cream sundaes. and enjoy s’mores. Have a Christmas
sleepover by the tree.
“Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day,
Moments it’s a frame of mind.” —Kris Kringle, something he hadn’t before.
“Then the Grinch thought of
Miracle on 34th Street.
Cut out snowflakes and decorate What if Christmas, he thought,
Last month, when we visited Invite friends over and go a room with them. String popcorn doesn’t come from a store. What if
together, we talked about fostering Christmas Caroling. Visit the local and cranberry garland. Make Christmas, perhaps, means a little
an attitude of gratitude in our hospital or nursing home and go paper chain garland. Make some bit more.” —Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch
little ones. This transitions caroling there. Have a Christmas handmade ornaments. Visit a Stole Christmas!
beautifully into the mystical season carols karaoke night. miniature train display. Attend a Attend a live nativity. Put up
of Christmas. But if your home is “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life holiday play or event. the nativity set but wait until
anything like mine, this season can touches so many other lives.” — “At one time most of my friends Christmas to add baby Jesus. Read
get more than just a bit stressful. As Clarence, It’s A Wonderful Life. could hear the bell, but as years The Christmas Story and act it out.
lovely and magical as this time of the Make Christmas cards for family passed it fell silent for all of them. Hold a birthday party for baby
year is, it is always a challenge to get members and friends. Mail cards Even Sarah found one Christmas Jesus and bake a cake. Make an
everything done in time: the cleaning, to Veterans. Hand-deliver thank that she could no longer hear its Advent wreath and light the candles
the baking, the purchasing, the you cards to community helpers, sweet sound. Though I’ve grown each night at dinner.
decorating, the mailing, the visiting… coaches, and teachers. Host a old the bell still rings for me, as it “And it was always said of him, that
just thinking about it all makes me Christmas Movie Night and invite does for all who truly believe.” — he knew how to keep Christmas
think about hibernating for the some friends over for hot cocoa and Hero Boy, The Polar Express. well, if any man alive possessed
winter. But before I go all “Bah… snacks. Visit a local tree farm and cut the knowledge. May that be truly
humbug,” I am trying something down your own Christmas tree. said of us, and all of us! And so,
different this year, a new twist on an “But what would happen if we all Decorate the tree while listening as Tiny Tim observed, God bless
old family tradition. This year, we tried to be like Santa and learned to Christmas carols. Decorate the Us, Every One!” —Charles Dickens, A
will be filling our Advent Calendar to give as only he can give: of outside of your home together. Christmas Carol.
with opportunities for memory- ourselves, our talents, our love and Help the kids decorate their rooms.
making moments rather than candy our hearts? Maybe we could all
and little trinkets. It is my hope that learn Santa’s beautiful lesson and Drive around together looking at
by focusing on Faith and family, we maybe there would finally be peace the lights and decorations. Attend a
will slow down and center on the on Earth and good will toward Christmas Light display.
true reason for the season. Here are men.” —Narrator, Santa Claus is Coming
a few ideas for fun family time, along to Town.
with a couple of memorable quotes Donate gently used toys to a
from some of my family’s favorite shelter or church thrift shop. As a
Christmas characters. family, buy some gifts to donate to
“The best way to spread Christmas families in need. Dress up like elves Shopping?
cheer is singing loud for all to and deliver handmade cards or gifts
hear.” —Buddy, Elf. to children at your local hospital. Support Your
Community!

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