Christmas is rushing at us like a run-away train and only two pension cheques before the BIG DAY. I hope you are all ready for it because I'm not. Usually at this time of year my Christmas Shopping is done and all I have left to do is some home baking. This year, however, I traveled to Calgary for Thanksgiving to visit my two sons and their families and now I'm really behind in my worrying. That's what seniors do isn't it? - they worry.
Well, this year is going to be different! If I'm not ready for the Holidays what is the worst than can happen. I know one thing - I'm not going to worry about it - I can't stand the stress.
This is also the time of year that family relationships come into focus. The harsh reality is that everyone tries to make their families happy. I can remember when I had two sets of parents that I tried to please because they insisted that my husband, children and I spend Christmas with them. In order to make everyone happy, we visited them Christmas Day and Boxing Day and ended up with no Christmas in our own home. I think about this when I wish my children would want to have Christmas with me but they must create their own memories and traditions for their own children. They can see me anytime throughout the year, but Christmas is for children in their own home.
The need to spend more money than you can afford on Christmas presents is also a subject to be dealt with. If you have sons and daughters with families, chances are they are both working. A box of home made cookies, pies or cakes for their Christmas dinner is a gift worth considering. If you don't bake, maybe you can knit or sew your Christmas presents. For you guys out there, home repairs are also a great gift for your sons or daughters who usually pay someone to come and fix things. Just give them a Gift Certificate that is worth so much of your time throughout the year. Or another alternative is to purchase a gift for the whole family rather than individual presents. One of the best presents I every received was a subscription to a favourite magazine and I look forward every month to receiving it.
If you want to create a tradition for your grandchildren, the Victorian Era offers a unique idea. If your grandchildren are coming to visit on boxing day, have a little gift on the Tree with their name on it and let them search for it. They won't expect it and they will be happy that you thought of it.
This time gives us also, the opportunity to visit seniors who are in Seniors Homes or who are shut-ins. Maybe they can't get out and need someone simply to say to them," I'll help you". What an opportunity you have to bring joy to just one person. Maybe you belong to a group that can entertain in Seniors Homes or dress up as Santa and bring a smile to their faces. Let's all make the effort this Christmas to accomplish something we have never done before. Let's make a difference! Please write and let me know if you have any ideas that the rest of us can use.
READER RESPONSE: I received some comments regarding my column about the GOOD OLD DAYS, and would like to share them with you. There is not enough room for the entire letter but I quote:
"Remember the G.O.D. when people could safely leave the doors to the home or car unlocked.
Remember the G.O.D. when teenagers said "I am sorry when they were chastised for some wrongdoing. Remember the G.O.D. when people held the door open for you. There are many more aspects of G.O.D. which have been put to bed by the me, myself and I society. Personally I think there were GOOD OLD DAYS."
Signed G.R.Burgel
Dear G.R. Thank you for reminding me of many things I have forgotten. With four boys much of my time was spent up to my elbows in soap suds or prying clothes off the line in
-l0 below zero and having to dry them in the kitchen, or baking in an oven when the temperature was 90 degrees and humid. I did forget that there were gentler times when people met on the street and exchanged greetings. When your neighbours talked to you and offered to help you if you needed it. My husband and I 'did without' so that I could stay home with the children and my sons still remind to this day that they appreciated the fact that I was 'at home' when they came from school.
As for the Shopping Carts, I stand my ground on that issue. Grocery stores make a conscious choice whether or not to be "Senior Friendly" and I make a conscious choice whether or not I want to shop there.
TO MY READERS: Send me a letter at ideas@senioryears.com if you know of a business that is Senior Friendly and I will certainly give them a mention.
I would like to take this opportunity of wishing all of you a HAPPY AND HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON !
Dorothy is over 65 years old and lives in London, Ontario.
No reproduction of this column is permitted without the consent of the writer.
Please email ideas@senioryears.com with any comments, questions or suggestions for Dorothy.
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