This week, we have seen the beginnings of what we can expect for the next six weeks: Christmas mania has caught Westlock, and will soon sink its claws into our quiet community.
If you take a trip to the supermarket, you’ll here Christmas songs. If you walk down the steet, you’ll see Christmas lights and decorations. Even in your own home, the various media available to you will all scream about Christmas.
There are deals to be had, you see. Nothing says, “The reason for the season,” like a tool box, or some makeup, or some toys, or any of the other Christmas-themed sale items available to us.
As we prepare for this holiday that is at once magical and stressful, though, we should bear in mind what it’s really all about.
This can vary from person to person, from family to family and from denomination to denomination. The one common thread that runs through all our Christmas celebrations, whether we’re atheists, Christians or otherwise, is family.
We have at the very least this one day where we can get together, share a big dinner, exchange a few gifts and maybe share a few drinks.
So while we’re bombarded with messages about what we have to buy to prove our love to the people who we should never have to prove our love to, remember what it’s about.
Jewelry or toys might be a good way to tell your husband, wife or children how much you love and appreciate them. Not as good, though, as looking them in the eye and telling them.
A tie or a gift certificate just might let your mother and father know how much you love and respect them, but it’s no substitute for even a quick hand-written note.
When shopping for gifts, just don’t get caught up in the hype. Or better yet don’t buy anything.
As children, we’re always taught that regardless of the price or relative quality of a gift, it’s the thought that counts.
Granted this may be a small consolation for a 12-year-old kid who opens up a knitted sweater when he was hoping for a new video game system, but the thought behind that sweater will last long after the game system has become obsolete.
