In reply to: asked myself, “What makes the merriest of Christmases?” and the answer became as long as a shiny red ribbon curling around into a glorious bow. As you read my “Merry Christmas” list, I bet you’ll have a smile on your face or a foot tapping a tune or a hand on the phone before you’re through. Let’s begin . . . .
– Memories of favorite family holiday recipes and, best of all, delicious smells from your own kitchen.
– Moments to share treasured scrapbooks filled with past Christmas photos of family and friends.
– Walks by store windows filled with traditional holiday scenes, with stops to add to the “Army’s” kettles.
– Shopping for just the right something for someone to treasure.
– Laughter as Santas everywhere hold on to wiggly toddlers, who reach and tug those white, pretend beards.
– Joy as carolers lift our spirits with “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” “Away in a Manger” and “Silent Night.”
– Rolling snowballs into snowmen, building snow-walled forts, making snow angels, eating snow ice cream.
– Driving through neighborhood streets to choruses of “oohs” and “ahs” as brightly lighted trees and Christmas figures wink and blink from lawns, front windows and rooftops.
– Reading the beloved “The Night Before Christmas” and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.”
– Attending Christmas Eve service with candles in hand while, once again, “The Christmas Story” is told.
– Wrapping presents with shiny foil that easily folds, pasting on colored stickers and writing to/from notes.
– Filling stockings named and designed to call attention to Santa’s busy night.
– Watching snowflakes drift down, gather on holly hedges and make crystal patterns on window panes.
– Thinking of dear ones, “wherever they may be,” as you settle into bed for “the long winter’s night.”
