Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.   Laura Ingalls Wilder

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.   W.T. Ellis

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!   Hamilton Wright Mabie

Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.   Author unknown

For the spirit of Christmas fulfils the greatest hunger of mankind.   Loring A. Schuler

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?  It came without ribbons.  It came without tags.  It came without packages, boxes or bags.  And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore.  Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.  What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.  What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.   Dr. Seuss

Christmas – that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance.  It may weave a spell of nostalgia.  Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance – a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved.  Augusta E. Rundel

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.  Calvin Coolidge

Whatever else be lost among the years,
Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing;
Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears,
Let us hold close one day, remembering
It’s poignant meaning for the hearts of men.
Let us get back our childlike faith again.  Grace Noll Crowell

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.  Charles Dickens

Chocolate has not always been the focus of advent either.  Although candy was used in the calendars occasionally, when they were first introduced many designs incorporated pictures, religious verse or small gifts.

Now of course, each year chocoholics around the globe make that vital decision of which advent calendar to purchase this year.  Some chocolatiers will offer luxury calendars laced in flowing satin ribbon and delicious melt in your mouth chocolate while others will contain your basic milk chocolate moulded into little Christmas shapes.

The latter come in all sorts of themes and you can no doubt choose anything from Minnie Mouse, a country Christmas theme to Brad Pitt’s torso; the choice is yours.  These calendars are often reasonably priced and you can find them lined up in supermarkets ready for the taking.

Calendars can also come in a more permanent form.  Some consist of wooden drawers which hide little gifts for the recipient or decorations which you can put on the tree each day.  You can start a family tradition with one of these by purchasing one from a good Christmas craft fair or decoration store (failing that the Internet).

Some families turn their hands to making advent calendars.  These can be as simple as stringing up candy which is taken each day until Christmas Eve or with the help of the internet you could find more adventurous crafting ideas.  This makes a lovely activity to get you into the Christmas spirit.

Advent calendars are definitely icons of advent and whether you choose to have one with the traditional 24 doors, or whether you feel you are cheated by this and find one with 25, everyone loves the excitement of a countdown.

You have a camera, check; a family, check; a token Christmas prop; check.  Now how to create the perfect snap… firstly, try not to panic., if you start early enough there will be time to shoot and reshoot as many times as you wish.

Decide where you want to take your picture.  It might be that you take your camera on a day out or walk in fresh outdoors and the shot just forms itself.  On the other hand you may wish to pose your subjects and try to get some festive theme incorporated by using a prop (a Christmas hat) or simply using a wintery setting.  If the outdoors is a little adventurous, you might want to get your family to pose in front of this year’s Christmas tree.

Your picture might look nice in black and white or a sepia hue to add to the sentimental Christmas theme.  You can change the look of your photo quite easily using software (such programs usually come with the camera) alternatively some cameras have a setting for such arty effects.  Similarly, take time to figure out the settings on your camera before you take it out and about.  It might be that it works best on a certain setting.

There are no rules about what you should take a holiday photo of or what it should look like.  Choose a subject that will be of interest to the recipient, it might be that you prefer to take a picture of a Christmas city scape or the family dog – whatever takes your fancy. Just be sure to print it on good quality paper!

Trees can be artificial, or real and already pre-cut so you can simply go to a local Boy Scout troop or other organization and purchase one.  You can also go to a local tree farm, pick out your favorite tree, cut it down and take it home.

Another option, the “green” one, is to purchase a live tree with its ball of roots intact.  Decorate it and use it inside your home as usual, but plant the tree outside when Christmas is over.

If you consider this option, here are a few recommendations from David Beaulieu:

-Dig the hole for planting long before Christmas so you will not have to dig in frozen dirt.  Bring the dirt you remove inside to keep it from freezing.

-Keep the tree watered (the rootball).

-Avoid large temperature swings for the tree.  Place the tree in the coolest spot in the house and do not keep it in the warm house for too long.

- The tree needs a 2 week transitional period temperature-wise.  After Christmas, take it out of the warm house, but not out into freezing temperatures right away.  David Beaulieu recommends storing it in a garage during this period.

-The roots should be unwrapped before planting.  After planting, water and mulch.

-Dogs and children love to play with things that sparkle and shine.  Do not hang breakable ornaments low on the tree within reach of animals and children.  Children, especially, can break glass ornaments and be cut badly.  If you need to decorate the bottom of the tree, use plastic or wood decorations.

-Make sure all extra cords, including extension cords, are not laying out where children, animals or the elderly may trip over them.

-Be aware of safety issues with any plants you bring into the house during the holidays.  A few will be addressed here:

• Consuming mistletoe by young children or pets causes severe stomach cramps and diarrhea.  It can be fatal.

• I never had a poinsettia plant in my house when my children were young because I was told that poinsettias were poisonous.  That, however, is a myth.  You should be aware, though, that poinsettia sap that can ooze from the branches can cause contact dermatitis in some people.  Make sure not to touch your eyes after touching the sap.

• Holly berries “being violently emetic and purgative” (per David Beaulieu), can cause excessive vomiting soon after they are swallowed.

So, enjoy the Christmas season, but be cognizant of hazards which may be facing your children and pets as you bring so many new items into your home.

When I was Director of Marketing for a nonprofit group serving women and children, our organization put up a Christmas tree in a local bank.  The tree was decorated with ornaments made by the children and customers had the opportunity to purchase an ornament and thereby support our cause.  I was devastated to learn that we had to remove the tree because one of the non-Christian bank customers had complained about it.

According to Wikipedia, in 2008, 76% of the U.S. population identified themselves as Christian.  One can assume therefore that Christmas is a holiday enjoyed by a majority of U.S. citizens, and religious minorities should expect that Christmas activities will blanket the country in December. I don’t believe that Christians should be limited in their celebration.

On the other hand, I realize it is very difficult to be a non-Christian during this time of the year.  It must be especially hard for children.  The more recent development which makes dealing with the season even more onerous for non-Christians is the extension of the commercial timeframe.  Last year local department stores began decorating with Christmas décor BEFORE Thanksgiving.

Adam Sandler sang a series of songs about Chanukah, which address the theme of Jewish children feeling left out during the Christmas season.  They are humorous songs, but indicative of some of the stress and alienation that exists.

So this year I am hoping we can all make an effort to enjoy our respective religious holidays without limiting what others can do.  Be sensitive to those of all religions and respect their ability to celebrate as they wish.  The holiday season should be filled with love and living in harmony.

• Drill a small hole in the bottom of the tree to increase water intake.

• Make sure your tree is kept in a reservoir while it is inside.  Check the water daily to make sure that the tree is not drying out.  Lack of water will lead to browning and loss of needles.  If your tree is being kept outside or on a non-heated porch, there is no need for water.

• Allow your tree some time to fall.  Leave it on a porch outside overnight.  This allows the tree to regain its natural shape and shake off any loose needles before you bring it inside.

• Avoid Fire hazards and over drying.  Be sure to keep the tree away from heaters, vents, fireplaces, etc.

• Always recycle your Christmas tree.  It can be used for mulch or wood chips.  Go online to find a tree recycling program near you.

Balsam Fir- Balsam Fir trees have short, flat, dark green needles.  They have a very strong fragrance that people associate with the holidays, and are the most common type of Christmas tree.

Frasier Fir – Named for John Fraser, who explored the Appalachians in the late 1700’s, these trees have dark green, flattened needles. They are famous for their good needle retention, cone shape, and dense, strong branches.

Scotch Pine- These trees have stiff branches and long, dark green, rounded needles.  Scotch Pines are less dense and have more room for ornaments. Also, these trees have a long-lasting scent, as long as they receive plenty of water.

Douglas Fir –Douglas Fir trees have more of a bluish color.  The 1” to 1 ½” needles have one of the best aromas among Christmas trees. These trees also have a great pyramid shape.

White Pine – White pine trees have soft, blue-green needles, which they retain throughout the holiday season.  They have a very full appearance and support fewer decorations.  These trees are less scented than most, and are better for people with allergies.

Get plenty of sleep- Don’t stress out about shopping.  Start early and do as much as you can online to avoid the traffic and crowded malls.  Also, try a cup of herbal tea to settle your nerves before bed.

Be germ conscious- Keep germs in mind while at a Christmas party or in a crowded store.  Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.  Drink plenty of water and always remember to cover your mouth with the bend in your elbow when you cough or sneeze. Also, vitamin C is of the utmost importance.

Rethink dessert and avoid over-eating – Use common sense. In stead of a whole dessert buffet, serve one or two of your favorites.  Also, create a delicious fruit platter to serve after dinner.  If you must, try dipping the fruit in dark chocolate (It’s still healthier than chocolate cake.)

Fire safety- Before you make a roaring fire in the fireplace; check to make sure that the chimney is clean and free of all debris.  If not, harmful smoke and chemicals could fill your home, making you and your guests sick.   Also, be sure to keep all candles away from anything flammable.