Christmas makes everything sparkle a little bit brighter. It brings families together, inspires parties and demands decorations. There’s familiar music that you don’t hear at any other time of year, amazing food, presents and a general feeling of cheeriness.
But this Christmas I want to look beyond the gloss. I’ve heard lots of small snippets of conversation – and been part of others instead of merely eavesdropping – so I know that the Christmas spirit is alive and well this holiday season. People are setting another place at their table and inviting someone who’d otherwise be alone, others are volunteering their time to serve festive meals to the severely disadvantaged. Neighbours are helping each other out, and shoppers are giving generously when they see a charity worker shaking a tin. They’re small things but they’re many, and when you mix them all up it makes Christmas better for everyone. And this helps to ensure that the New Year starts on a positive note.
I have a $25- Amazon gift card to give away to one lucky commenter, and my question is this: what is the best non-commercial thing about Christmas? Please be sure to leave your email address in your comment so that I can find you if you win. I’ll draw it on Boxing Day.
Merry Christmas Everyone! And happy reading over the holidays. There are so many fabulous new Entangled titles that it’s hard to pick which one to read first.
Cheers,
~ Robyn
And the winner is… Cynthia Owens. Thank you to everyone for commenting and I wish you all the very best 2013 has to offer.
Absolutely the best non-commercial thing about Christmas…. Christmas Eve service. That peaceful yet excited feeling you have as you leave.
Time with family and friends is the best, too! Making those memories of love and family!
What a beautiful answer, Karin. Tradition and anticipation and peace make for a perfect combination. And best of all, you don’t have to wait for Christmas to officially begin before you can enjoy it.
The best non-commercial thing of Christmas is spending time with family and attending midnight mass.
Hi Cynthia. Midnight mass is a big favourite and a lovely way to celebrate the non-commercial side of Christmas.
Definitely spending time with family and having yummy food (is food non commercial?? Maybe not). And the Christmas eve service at 11pm, walking home before midnight, with the carols still in my mind, is lovely. (But then, I’m downunder, so its summer.)
Hi Joanne, I’m downunder too
Christmas carols add a special magic all of their own (when not played on a continuous loop in the shopping centre.) Hope the weather’s kind for you when you walk home on Christmas Eve.
I think all the other commenters said it best. I love this time of the year! HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!
Hi Yadira. I love this time of year as well. I hope you have some memory-making family time planned. Enjoy!
I think the best Christmas moment is waking on Christmas morning, listening to the kids joy and excitement, and forgetting all else clamouring for my attention in order to enjoy the special moment with my family.
Ooh, Christmas morning! Kids have the best reactions to surprises. I love that time when nothing else matters except what’s going on in front of you. And then the panic starts… so much left to do, and it’s always later than you’d like
The best non commercial thing about Christmas is being able to spend time with your family.
That’s true
We’re all crazy-busy in the lead up to Christmas. Getting to spend lots of time enjoying our families is the reward for working to make it great.
I love everyone’s answers! I love the extra time I get with family and friends and I also love Christmas music. It makes me reflect on my own childhood, my children’s childhood and what the future might bring! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Great answer, Christine. Looking back and looking ahead (and enjoying the moment) make for a lovely sense of continuity. Hopefully we’re giving our children the best of what we remember and making happy times for them to recall when they’re adults. Merry Christmas