We’ve been talking about it for more than a month, getting ready for Christmas and deciding what to make for Christmas dinner for our family, or what dish to bring if we are invited to someone’s home for the holiday meal. We’ve had to come up with ideas for the perfect gifts and stocking stuffers for our family and friends. The decorating of our homes is sometimes a challenge when our busy schedules don’t give us the free time we would like. Then, there is the baking of the cookies! Every year, there seems to be another cookie added to the list of those to bake.
These are the things we do because we want to make Christmas a special time to share and make memories with those we love, especially the little ones who don’t even realize that these times will be in their memories years from now when they are grown with families of their own. They will recall with love opening those gifts on Christmas morning. They will recall with laughter the funny stories shared around the dinner table. And, they will recall with sadness that some of the people who were here years ago are no longer with us.
To make the Christmas season more meaningful in these final days, take just a little time to go visit someone at a nursing home, or make a donation to our local food bank to help the needy in our own community. Take a plate of those cookies you are baking to someone who is homebound or to a friend who is alone or one you have not seen in a while. You may think you are doing these things for others, but truly you are giving yourself a gift. You’ll have the gift of Christmas spirit, knowing that you’ve done something to brighten the day for others.
The days go by one-by-one and little by little all of these chores get done before the big day arrives. Enjoy the experience of finding that special gift. Plan that perfect meal because you will be serving it to those you love most. Put care into those gifts with the anticipation of the joy on the recipient’s face when they open it. When those cookies come out of the oven, sit for a moment and enjoy one for yourself.
No matter how you will be spending your Christmas and how many of your detailed plans make it to the finish line, remember that what is most important is that it is about love and sharing. This Christmas, I hope you will make new wonderful memories to add to those that are tucked away. I know I will.
May you and your family have a merry and joyous 2025 Christmas holiday filled with wonderful memories to last a lifetime. I wish you a very happy, healthy and fun New Year!
Maria Magnelli, Editor
Special Thanks to all of our businesses who reached out to thank the community for their support during 2025!
