31things: Favorite seasonal story or book

Inspired by my attempt last December and from my friend Stephanie, I’m going to try blogging each day in December — holiday themes, of course! I’m calling it “31things.” Click here for more details. Read below for today’s post.

 

Two stories come to mind for the Christmas season: “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “The Polar Express.”

Each of these stories exudes the spirit of what Christmas and the holiday season is supposed to be.

In “Grinch,” we follow the story of the Grinch who tries stealing Christmas from others only because he does not have Christmas. But as we come to learn, even the Grinch understands the true meaning of Christmas — family, friends, love and togetherness. Such a truly simplistic story that so many people should really take to heart.

“The Polar Express” has been a favorite of mine long before it became a movie. The story, as you might know, follows one central theme — believe.

It’s the idea of believing in Santa and that there is good in us all. I wish more people could hear that bell ring. But the true reality is that so many people get caught up in what they think life is meant to be and eventually lose out on hearing the bell.

The book ends with one of the most powerful thoughts:

At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I’ve grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe.

I still hear the bell ring. Do you?

31things: Favorite year-end donations/charities

Inspired by my attempt last December and from my friend Stephanie, I’m going to try blogging each day in December — holiday themes, of course! I’m calling it “31things.” Click here for more details. Read below for today’s post.

If you know me, you know this answer is pretty easy! Though, over the past several years, I’ve added another charity to year-end thoughts.

I spend much of my life volunteering with the American Cancer Society, as you might know. So it goes without saying that I hope everybody can find a few dollars to offer toward patient services and research because too many people and their families are suffering from the effects of cancer.

But, I’ve added the Toys for Tots program to my list of nonprofits I think of at this time of year. Thanks to my good pals Mike and Bob at Pittsburgh’s 96.1 Kiss FM, I’ve realized something I’ve always known — every kid deserves a gift at Christmas.

The economy sucks, it really doesn’t seem to be getting better and more people are suffering. Lost in that shuffle are kids, whose parents are doing everything they can just to pay for food and rent. Mike and Bob and the fine folks at Clear Channel Pittsburgh have, for eight years now, hosted Stuff-A-Bus — a weeklong event geared at raising awareness, money and donations for the Pittsburgh area Marines Toys for Tots program.

Their efforts prompted me to write a story last year for the Trib’s community newspapers and to suggest that for this December, my newspaper, the Sewickley Herald, take on the Beaver County Toys for Tots program for our annual holiday project. The Beaver County chapter does not reap the benefits of the 96.1 FM Stuff-A-Bus event.

Please read my story and consider donating to the Beaver County Toys for Tots or your local chapter because no child should wonder why Santa skipped their house.

31things: Shopping

Inspired by my attempt last December and from my friend Stephanie, I’m going to try blogging each day in December — holiday themes, of course! I’m calling it “31things.” Click here for more details. Read below for today’s post.

 

I love the holiday season.

But I could do without the rage-filled Christmas shoppers.

I’m not sure how or when Christmas became this season that elicits such increased hateful rage at stores.

The throngs of people at stores and malls are OK to deal with, but only if people aren’t pushing and shoving.

Look at the mass chaos that is Black Friday. Shootings, pepper spray incidents, people being stomped to death (sometimes literally!).

It’s disheartening people think that gifts from a store are important enough to push shove and kill others.

I’m not certain where (maybe California?) it happened, but the woman who pepper sprayed others so she could hav a video game console this year was just awful. She taught her children that it’s OK to allow material items to become more important than love.

Christmas is NOT about crap from a store. Nothing made in China or Indonesia or even America is going to make me love somebody more. It won’t even make me love the holidays more.

I’d sooner receive no gifts and be able to spend time with friends and family. And I’m serious! I honestly do not need gifts. People ask me for a list and I make one, but I don’t need any of that stuff.

I just wish others could see that, too.

31things: Favorite Christmas decoration

Inspired by my attempt last December and from my friend Stephanie, I’m going to try blogging each day in December — holiday themes, of course! I’m calling it “31things.” Click here for more details. Read below for today’s post.

 

We have a variety of Christmas ornaments — from Pittsburgh stuff, to children’s show characters, to festive things.

But out of the hundreds of ornaments it seems we have, my favorite are the ornament balls from my grandmother.

She died in the mid-90s, so these ornaments help to keep her memory alive in our hearts.

They’re showing their age — some of the lettering and decorations are coming off. But others look great.

None are too flashy. All are simple, yet festive.

One in particular has a sleigh with deer and simply says “Merry Christmas.”

I don’t reach for these ornaments first. I wait until others are on the tree so that these ornaments find just the right place to hang.

My mom used to put them near the back, but a few years ago I moved them up. They now hang right in the center near the top.

I love these ornaments. If we put no other ornaments up, I’d be fine with that.