CHRISTMAS AND THE HOLIDAY PARTY!

First it was Halloween, then Thanksgiving and now Christmas. The time is flying and I will never get caught up. Are you ready to hear my story?

It is called “tradition”! It started years ago and still continues today. I have to start decorating for the Holidays in October to get everything in place. Now I am not one of those that fill the yard, mix colors and have everything moving. I am an inside man. I do no less than 20 Christmas Trees, all sizes, garlands, candles, and just about everything else on the market. For the first time this year, I am beginning to give away older items that just don’t fit into the modern way of thinking. When I turn on the Christmas lights this year, I am sure it will dim the City of Flagler Beach in Florida.

With the outside lights running nightly from Thanksgiving, I only turn on all the inside lights when I have my Christmas parties for the Season. (It is the GREEN thing to do!) They are nice parties and my friends seem to look forward to seeing what is new each year. Believe me, when I decorate this much, I want people to see it! During the rest of the month, I will light a tree here and there just to keep the spirit. On Christmas Eve, everything goes on and they stay on until Christmas Night at midnight. After that, it is over for another year and it is time to dismantle the house again!

As to the Christmas parties, I believe in food and I cater my own spread. For some reason it is so much easier and faster than waiting and deciding with a group of people. This year I am serving ham, pork, meat balls, shrimp, wings, potato salad, fresh fruit, and all of the other things to top off the table. What makes it nice, when you have a home party, is most people don’t drink as heavy as they use too. It is a real nice time to chat and enjoy each other.

I still send out official invitations and expect an RSVP. Again, “tradition”! It is just to nice of an event to say come on over! I request Holida Attire and I wear my official “red velvet smoking jacket” to greet the “public”! (By-the-way, I do not smoke!)

Christmas brings out the best in most of us. It is a Spirit of love and thanks! Don’t think I am all party as I truly believe in the real meaning of Christmas. As a Christian, my Savior was born and we celebrate His life! “O Come All Yea Faithful” is now playing on the sound system and it always brings tears to my eyes. It calls for me to remember family and friends. Those memories help us to know that God is Love and He is always there for us. During the Holiday, take time to rest awhile near the manger in Bethlehem and know that a moment in prayer can cleanse your heart.

As I close this little story of Christmas, don’t forget to roast a few “Chestnuts On An Open Fire! Reach out and hug someone you love. Make it a point to understand it is “better to give than to receive”. To me that is a special Spirit of Christmas when you see a smile or a tear of joy. It makes me so happy.

As you face the New Year, enjoy yourself and be safe. It is time for the new beginning in 2008. I still want to be a part of it with you!