Katie Rose Phillips once sang that she saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus, but when I was a little girl I saw him cradling Auntie Cathy’s brand new baby.

The Christmas that falls on a child’s fifth year is special and mine was no exception, old enough to appreciate the rituals, young enough to be utterly suspended in its magic.

This particular season was set to be perfect, my whole family gathered, a little brother to show the ropes to and a bigger one to learn them from. Plus a thick layer of crunchy, snowman-ready snow.

My mother had dressed the house with festive abundance, holly branches draped over all the pictures and a large wreath with pinecones suspended from the front door by a luxurious red ribbon. Everywhere a knick-knack with a story, my brother’s wobbly pottery angel holding miniature candles in her hands, a bauble brought one Wintry day from at tiny shop in London.

Not forgetting the most enormous Christmas tree, that towered above me to the ceiling. It took my father the best part of a morning and (he was quick to add) an afternoon to recover from the exertion of getting it into the hose and ready for decorating. Even my tall Mother had to use a ladder to place the fairy on top.

I handed her the decorations with the care of the keeper of the Crown jewels and with just as much pride. The ceremonial turning on of the lights when the sun had gone down lit me from within too. I was ready for the games to begin.

And so they did. A friends-filled week of mulled wine and mince pies, tobogganing, carol singing and a memorable performance of Jack and the Beanstalk, when the giant pointed to Auntie Cathy’s large tummy in the front row and joked about her not having the baby until the end of the show. Which I couldn’t understand, knowing full well the baby wouldn’t be so silly: we wanted to enjoy Christmas first!

The shaking of the presents occupied every spare minute, whispering and guessing the contents with my brothers. As the ringleader, I was chosen for the task of colouring in my father’s Christmas Day Lunch menu, a tradition that was to continue for many years to come.

I hardly thought we would have room for turkey (with all the trimmings) and a flaming Christmas pudding after consuming all the nuts, Turkish delight and Christmas cake Mum had lain in little dishes on the table next to the log fire, ready for Christmas Day.

But what really intrigued me, the bit I coloured in with extra care in gold pencil, was the ‘Special Guest Appearance’ at the bottom of the menu. I hoped against hope it would be Father Christmas but my parents were giving nothing away; I would have to wait and see.

Luckily, Christmas Eve was so packed I hardly had to time to dwell on I it, with a morning walk in the crystal white fields near our house and a lovely Church service in the afternoon, completed by a tiny nativity scene and a noisy donkey.

Exhausted that night and overcome with the promise of the next day’s excitement I could barely stop my eyes from closing as my brothers and I left the reindeers their peanut snacks under the tree and Father Christmas his glass of sherry.

Of course, I could not unwrap my presents quick enough in the morning, racing downstairs to open the assorted goodies in my hand-sewn stocking before the fun of the day unraveled, all leading up to the moment I had imagined a dozen times already: the arrival of the special guest.

I saw him arrive at the door with his fluffy beard and sack of gifts, bellowing a deep ‘ho ho ho’, bending down to cuddle me in his bright red outfit. He was every bit as impressive as I had hoped, my only disappointment being that Uncle Bill had taken a Christmas gift to our old neighbours next door and was going to miss him!

But just as he was asking if we had been good girls and boys my Aunty Cathy let out a huge moan and there was a flurry of confusion. Suddenly the adults started rushing around and all the children were ushered away to watch ‘A Christmas Carol’ on the T.V.

A commotion filtered through from next door, while in our room my big cousins wanted to know if their Mum was going to be O.K. Eventually, a short silence fell followed by the first cries of a newborn baby.

My mother came to the T.V. room and told us we should come to meet somebody. And there was Father Christmas holding the newest addition to our large family.

‘Is it the baby Jesus?’ I asked, incredulous.

‘No,’ laughed my father. ‘But it is the special guest.’

Christmas is a wonderful time to remember the special people in all our lives; friends and family, near and far. Sending an Ecard is an excellent way to avoid the postal rush, not to mention the seeking out and writing of all those addresses!

At www.katiescards.com I have created a collection of Christmas ecards that are quick to preview and just as easy to send. It’s as straightforward as choosing your favourite E card, personalizing and emailing it, with a low-cost membership to the site that allows you to send Ecards on other occasions also, from birthday ecards to Easter ecards and every special day in-between.

The selection of 20 Christmas ecards includes the telling of the traditional nativity story as well as capturing the season’s mythical charms, with the elves or a magical snow scene, every e-card designed to be a heart-warming greeting to let a loved one know you remember them as they look forward to the New Year.

So why not extend some festive cheer and choose an uplifting Ecard to send to your nearest and dearest this Christmas season?

The festive season is fast approaching, bringing with it a mixture of blustery winds, shorter days and a buzz of celebratory anticipation. However, often turning into a flurry of frantic activity, with parties and social events to attend and Christmas arrangements to be made, this time of year can also be very stressful. Therefore, in addition to pulling out the winter warmers, it can be good idea to start thinking about presents. Indeed, the earlier you start this task, the easier it will be to enter the Christmas season in a relaxed and focused state. Not only that, but it will also enable you to spread the cost of everything you need to buy over a few months. Another advantage of thinking about Christmas presents in advance is that you can avoid the perilous high street battles, as everybody pushes and scrambles past each other trying to get their hands on the last remaining items. You can also shop online safe in the knowledge that everything will arrive well before Christmas Day. Thinking of special and unique presents to give your loved ones, however, can often be a challenge. Not only do you have to try and be original, but locating that one extraordinary item from the millions of options out there can be a daunting task. And, the last thing that a man wants to do, for example, is buy his partner an ill-chosen piece of underwear two sizes too small or a hastily grabbed kitchen appliance. Consequently, it can really pay off to take a bit of time over what you want to get. Jewellery is always an attractive option and can be a great way to tastefully and elegantly say you love or care about someone. In fact, with the huge range of beautiful bracelets, sparkling rings and stylish necklaces available, it is possible to discover a variety of truly unique pieces. Charm bracelets, like the Chamilia bracelets, can be a particularly attractive present to give simply because there is the opportunity to really personalise them. There is a huge selection of different charms, trinkets and figures to choose from, and you can also add to the bracelet on other special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. Christmas is a wonderful time of year, where you have the chance to show your loved ones how much you care. But, with all the running around and organising to be done it can be demanding. That’s why it is essential to plan ahead and think about things like presents before the festive season rolls around. There are hundreds of brilliant gifts to discover and it is important to get it right. Due to its versatility and timelessness, jewellery is always a safe bet, and with things like the Chamilia bracelet to choose from, you can really make that special someone’s Christmas Day.

It’s Christmas time again; time for over-eating, relaxing and exchanging Christmas presents. But leading up to the festive period, the magic of Christmas can sometimes be hard to find when fighting your way through bustling crowds to try and find appropriate presents. Well, no more. Through the help of online shopping, buying Christmas presents that will make an impression is thankfully now becoming easier. When shopping in stores it’s hard to find Christmas presents with presence because a lot of gifts are the same from shop to shop. One way of giving a statement gift is to give them something personalised that will make the present unique to them. By simply uploading photos and dates you can create personalised calendars and diaries which are a great way to give a practical and yet special gift. You can also choose a themed calendar, such as romance, golf or film and place the recipient’s name in the calendar to make them feel like a star. You can also engrave special photo frames and trinkets. Other more unusual personalisation options include writing something on a doormat for them, creating a personalised jelly mould or a walk of fame star with their name on it. For kids, presents like the radio-controlled spider and helicopters are a great idea to keep them busy. Other creative presents like designing your own pyjamas or creating your own memory book with personalised photo albums are great ways of inspiring children. You could also adopt an animal on behalf of a child, which is not only interesting for young wildlife lovers but also encourages an interest in animal welfare and endangered species. With an adopt-an-animal gift set you get a cuddly toy, certificates, stickers and an information pack and you can feel good because it will contribute to the maintenance and care of different endangered species. If they are interested in the way the world works, getting a grow-your-own plant kit would be a great Christmas present enabling them to learn about nature and have fun too. If you are really looking to surprise children, why not book them on a child’s fun photo-shoot or even book them into an hour of a recording studio session to make them feel like superstars! An experience like a makeover day or time in a recording studio is a fantastic present too for teenagers and adults alike; a great way to give people the chance to try something completely different. If buying presents for a couple, there are lots of romantic options for Christmas presents that will stun and surprise. If getting married during the holiday season, buying a deluxe engraved wooden box holding a bottle of champagne and a bottle of wine is the perfect present. Not only personalised and of a high quality, the champagne is perfect for celebrating now and the bottle of wine will be perfectly matured in time for their fifth wedding anniversary. Other romantic ideas could be personalised flutes or glasses or even a personalised photo frame or photo album to capture their happy memories as they make them. Another idea could be an experience day like a wine-tasting day at a vineyard, a lunch in Paris for two trip or a ballroom dancing lesson; a novel way for them to spend well-spent time together. Men are often so hard to buy for as they tend to just buy what they need when they see it. For a man in your life, experience days driving fast cars or watching premiership matches are a sure-fire way to get in their good books and are a way for them to let off some testosterone. Women always like a bit of pampering and pamper days out are a great way to help them relax and show you care. Options available are hot stone massages, spa days, hydrotherapy and oil treatments. Other experience days like Indian cooking lessons, belly dancing, garden design courses are excellent statement Christmas presents that can be tailored to be the perfect present and a way of giving someone something they wouldn’t necessarily think of to buy themselves. Some experience days can be catered for a whole family, like trips out to a stately home, tickets to a theme park or west-end show. Another perfect family Christmas present would be a session with a professional photographer or portrait artist to capture the spirit of their family as well as the spirit of Christmas! From personalised calendars to experience days to engraved objects, the perfect personalised gifts are just waiting to be created, ensuring that you give Christmas presents with presence.

It’s hard to imagine anything more puzzling than your sister completely blanking you in the wake of Christmas. Low-key enquiries through other family members result in your father quipping in his typical clumsy manner “she was a bit upset about the book but I’m sure she’ll get over it in time”. The book in question was entitled “How to dress the fuller figure” which you thought was rather helpful given your sister’s voluptuousness, but as it turns out, she’s now going through a mid-life crisis and is suddenly now very sensitive about her size, having embarked on a very strict diet. She has even ordered her husband to pay for a gastric band as one of her Christmas presents. Ok, so you were not to know. Had it been any other year this would have been one of the Christmas presents that your sister would have welcomed. If you are considerate, you will offer to replace her present with a book on how to overcome her dieting fears, a seaweed wrap treatment, or pay for a 1:1 personal trainer session. To be really charming, you could buy her a personally engraved silver compact handbag mirror – in said shape – to remind her of how beautiful she is. (You risk appearing a little bit grovelling here but she’ll get the message and forgiveness will come quicker). Or, if you are a typical ostrich-type, you’ll hope your father’s right – that she will get over it, shrug it off, and hope you are on talking terms by Easter (just don’t buy her a chocolate egg, for goodness sake!) If you are buying Christmas Presents for people whom you don’t see very often, making the right choice can be a challenge. Causing offence is the last thing you want to do but sometimes an innocent mistake can have biblical consequences – unless the recipient has a really good sense of humour. Your partner’s mother is not going to be overjoyed with the Retro Sweet Hamper for example if she has just had her original teeth replaced with dentures. (Your cheeky alternative of the Grow It Cactus Plant might have made you chuckle but expect some prickly repercussions.) The personalised door mat for your nephew and his girlfriend will be returned by New Year’s Eve when you learn that they separated after a huge argument at a pre-Christmas party… If you like to buy your Christmas presents a little ahead be sure to retain your receipts just in case you have to swap them or return them (this doesn’t apply to personalised gifts regrettably so if there is any doubt in your mind avoid the personalisation altogether). In addition, check your information is up to date. If you discover a recent diagnosis of ailments such as arthritis, diabetes or heartbreak, any display of sensitivity with the Christmas presents you give will be quietly appreciated and avoid any awkwardness. Avoid purchasing clothes if you don’t know the person well (their personal style and colouring is so important) especially if you can’t be certain of their size. Clothes with the label on and a receipt can usually be refunded or exchanged, but if you buy one or two sizes too big, expect trouble. A size too small will be taken as a compliment (although it won’t be admitted!) Remember, the utterance of any tactless remarks can be blamed on over-consumption of Christmas punch, but the presentation of a gift that reminds of something upsetting will endure, and ultimately erode Christmas sprits. There are purchases for Christmas presents that will catch you out quite innocently just because you were not aware of information that would have reversed your decision at the time. However, there are mistakes for which only you can be held responsible and there are some worthy tips to heed to avoid any awkward moments. Firstly, check your facts. When you misspell your assistant’s first name every time you write her an email, and then give her a personalised mug with the same error, don’t be surprised by the backlash. Second, reflect on historical chronology. What have you done in the past? What brought smiles, what caused arguments? At all costs, avoid repetition. Don’t expect gratitude by buying the same Christmas presents year on year just because they were successful the first time. Did you hear of the husband who presented his wife with a beautiful original pashmina shawl in her favourite colour? Wife (cunningly): “What gave you this idea, darling?” Husband (proudly beaming): “I thought it might suit you when I saw someone who looked like you wearing one recently!” Wife (through gritted teeth): “That was me, you fool!” (Stage direction: exit husband, tail between legs. Wife logs on to Ebay…)

It’s hard to imagine anything more puzzling than your sister completely blanking you in the wake of Christmas. Low-key enquiries through other family members result in your father quipping in his typical clumsy manner “she was a bit upset about the book but I’m sure she’ll get over it in time”. The book in question was entitled “How to dress the fuller figure” which you thought was rather helpful given your sister’s voluptuousness, but as it turns out, she’s now going through a mid-life crisis and is suddenly now very sensitive about her size, having embarked on a very strict diet. She has even ordered her husband to pay for a gastric band as one of her Christmas presents. Ok, so you were not to know. Had it been any other year this would have been one of the Christmas presents that your sister would have welcomed. If you are considerate, you will offer to replace her present with a book on how to overcome her dieting fears, a seaweed wrap treatment, or pay for a 1:1 personal trainer session. To be really charming, you could buy her a personally engraved silver compact handbag mirror – in said shape – to remind her of how beautiful she is. (You risk appearing a little bit grovelling here but she’ll get the message and forgiveness will come quicker). Or, if you are a typical ostrich-type, you’ll hope your father’s right – that she will get over it, shrug it off, and hope you are on talking terms by Easter (just don’t buy her a chocolate egg, for goodness sake!) If you are buying Christmas Presents for people whom you don’t see very often, making the right choice can be a challenge. Causing offence is the last thing you want to do but sometimes an innocent mistake can have biblical consequences – unless the recipient has a really good sense of humour. Your partner’s mother is not going to be overjoyed with the Retro Sweet Hamper for example if she has just had her original teeth replaced with dentures. (Your cheeky alternative of the Grow It Cactus Plant might have made you chuckle but expect some prickly repercussions.) The personalised door mat for your nephew and his girlfriend will be returned by New Year’s Eve when you learn that they separated after a huge argument at a pre-Christmas party… If you like to buy your Christmas presents a little ahead be sure to retain your receipts just in case you have to swap them or return them (this doesn’t apply to personalised gifts regrettably so if there is any doubt in your mind avoid the personalisation altogether). In addition, check your information is up to date. If you discover a recent diagnosis of ailments such as arthritis, diabetes or heartbreak, any display of sensitivity with the Christmas presents you give will be quietly appreciated and avoid any awkwardness. Avoid purchasing clothes if you don’t know the person well (their personal style and colouring is so important) especially if you can’t be certain of their size. Clothes with the label on and a receipt can usually be refunded or exchanged, but if you buy one or two sizes too big, expect trouble. A size too small will be taken as a compliment (although it won’t be admitted!) Remember, the utterance of any tactless remarks can be blamed on over-consumption of Christmas punch, but the presentation of a gift that reminds of something upsetting will endure, and ultimately erode Christmas sprits. There are purchases for Christmas presents that will catch you out quite innocently just because you were not aware of information that would have reversed your decision at the time. However, there are mistakes for which only you can be held responsible and there are some worthy tips to heed to avoid any awkward moments. Firstly, check your facts. When you misspell your assistant’s first name every time you write her an email, and then give her a personalised mug with the same error, don’t be surprised by the backlash. Second, reflect on historical chronology. What have you done in the past? What brought smiles, what caused arguments? At all costs, avoid repetition. Don’t expect gratitude by buying the same Christmas presents year on year just because they were successful the first time. Did you hear of the husband who presented his wife with a beautiful original pashmina shawl in her favourite colour? Wife (cunningly): “What gave you this idea, darling?” Husband (proudly beaming): “I thought it might suit you when I saw someone who looked like you wearing one recently!” Wife (through gritted teeth): “That was me, you fool!” (Stage direction: exit husband, tail between legs. Wife logs on to Ebay…)

You’ve had a long week. It’s freezing outside. You spent your last £20 on a pizza last night. You just want to chill out in front of the telly. You have no inspiration for buying Christmas presents. You can’t be bothered to find a parking space, let alone face all those queues of people. You don’t want to hear “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” piping through a crowded store for the umpteenth time. You’re fed up with picking glitter off your best sweater. And if you catch another whiff of roasting chestnuts….Bah Humbug! But relax! Christmas shopping has never been so easy! Buying Christmas presents online is much better fun than trudging around the shops looking for gift ideas and jostling with all and sundry for a place in the checkout line! Make yourself a huge mug of tea, grab some chocolate biscuits while you’re at it and get online! You’ll stay warm and cosy in the comfort of your own home, you won’t get checkout rage, and all be delivered to your door – no need to lumber any big heavy bags yourself! Christmas Presents are a joy for some to buy, for others they are a trial. Many of us have at least one member of the family who can’t come up with anything more inspired than a ten pound note wrapped around a bar of Toblerone. Gone are the days when the women are content with a gift box of Charlie and the men with Old Spice. If you’ve been given a wish-list, that’s a great help. Someone’s actually taken the time to trawl the shops themselves and come up with their most wanted list from which you can choose something safe in the knowledge that it will be appreciated. It can be all too tricky to buy Christmas presents for the one who has, or at least seems to have, everything. Worse, it can be a treacherous road ahead if you are buying Christmas presents for people who tell you they’re “easy to please” because you can bet your last fiver that they are not. No wish-list? What are they into? Consider their hobbies, lifestyle and interests for example. Gardening? Sport? Movies? Bird watching? (You never know!) Then you need to think about your budget. How much do you plan to spend? It’s the thought that really counts with gift-giving and Christmas presents are no different. You may not have unlimited amounts of cash to spend but a simple thoughtful gift will remind people of your generosity and attention to detail. Your green-fingered Auntie might appreciate a Pocket Garden or a comfy Kneepad as much as she would a more expensive Crate Planter or Pink Garden Kit. Honestly, you would have demonstrated your appreciation of what she enjoys most in life with any of these Christmas presents. You’ll be amazed how the search for certain Christmas presents leads to the discovery of others when you are using the internet. It’s not just down to the clever marketing ploys of online retailers, who position related suggestions for Christmas presents on the same page, but the way in which your mind works too. One idea might not suit the person you have in mind at that moment, but you’ll find the thought process leads to “so-and-so would love that” and, hey presto, you can tick another recipient off your list of Christmas presents. What would turn off your hip younger sister could be one of the best Christmas presents your Gran has ever received. If you really are having trouble, there’s nothing better to make a person feel special than a gift that’s been created especially and uniquely for them. Personal gifts are popular for so many occasions throughout the year, but never more so than at Christmas. You’ve had all these Christmas presents to buy yet you still managed to get something individual that no-one else can lay claim to. Whether it’s something simple but useful such as a personalised mug or silver-plated photo frame, something with which to cherish memories like a photographic personalised calendar or a kids canvas, something really worth savouring – a personalised bottle of champagne is bound to get them popping, or something downright unusual like a bespoke blend of tea, you are sure to find something that turns out to be one of the most memorable Christmas presents they have ever unwrapped. So there you have it. Shopping for Christmas presents from the comfort of your own home will save you money, keep you warm and cosy, distance you from the stresses and irritations of queuing and jostling with the crowds, deliver your gifts to your door (or to the intended) and make you the most popular person alive. After Barack Obama, of course.

Copyright (c) 2007 Karen Talavera

In this season of generosity my husband and I have received a most precious gift. Our fifth-grade daughter still believes in Santa Claus.

Yes, I’ve done my best to perpetuate the legend without going overboard, and to accentuate the importance of giving rather than receiving during the holiday season. Yet you parents know how magical playing Santa can be. And those of you with school age or grown children also know how quickly those Santa years fly by, and therefore how treasured each passing Christmas is.

I myself remember pressing my mother for “the truth” at the tender age of seven. After a spontaneous and prideful deduction of my own, without bitterness or disappointment, I came home from first grade and confronted her head-on. “Mom, don’t lie to me, you and dad are really Santa, right? You really buy the presents from Santa, don’t you?” She tried to dodge me but caved pretty quickly, confirmed my suspicions, and swore me to secrecy so as not to ruin it for my younger siblings.

As the oldest of four and thus the first to know about Santa, I had many years afterwards to watch my younger sisters and brother revel in the wonder of the Santa mystery and the surprises of Christmas morning. I even took my baby brother to see Santa a couple of times, and nostalgically joined him for a picture one year on the old guy’s lap. It was around that time I began to see the error of my smarty-pants ways.

As I reached adulthood, got married and had a child of my own, I vowed never to so easily deny Santa. How could I? It was more fun that I could possibly imagine.

Yet in recent years the detailed questions have come hard and fast from our daughter. Thanks to the Internet, that dynamic collective consciousness, what once was just a concept can now be proven real. I could punch up NORAD and show her the real-time satellite-image of Santa’s Christmas Eve ride. We could visit one of Santa’s many Web sites and even email the jolly old elf. Better yet, he would write back with a real letter.

Moving to Florida from Chicago three years ago involved going from a house with a brick fireplace and chimney to one with neither. Yet our daughter’s faith was unwavering. Trusting her father and I would leave the patio door unlocked, she understood Santa simply parked his sleigh and reindeer not on the treacherously high roof, but on our roomy pool deck well stocked with reindeer food and a bucket of fresh water. Santa then easily slipped – rather than squeezed – in through the sliding door. Gifts were thus effortlessly deposited under the tree while their bearer enjoyed refreshments in the kitchen.

Mysteriously, Santa’s presents were always wrapped in a unique paper imprinted with a repeating pattern of his face, topped off by special bows and tags also featuring his happy countenance. And that paper was never found in the collection of usual wrappings and decorations lying around the house in December.

Last year we even prepared a gourmet snack for Kris Kringle. Reasoning he could stomach only so many cookies (and it being too warm for hot cocoa in Florida) we left him an antipasto-style plate of meats, cheeses, dates and sweets. He left the plate empty.

Upon our child’s tenth birthday this July, I wistfully contemplated what this Christmas would bring. Had I already seen my last letter to Santa from her? Would the kids at school burst the bubble and shatter her illusions? Was it all over in our house? Since she is our only child, I knew there might not be many – or any – Santa years left. But it was merely July, so my thoughts waned until a few months passed, and suddenly in September I was hearing, “You know what I’d like for Christmas, mom?”

“Time to start your Christmas list,” I told her, which she dutifully did.

Fifth grade began and as the school weeks passed and December crept up on us, more questions and comments ensued. “Mom, have you ever seen Santa on Christmas Eve?” (Well, no I had to admit, I had not been so fortunate.) “Nicole at school actually has him on video!” (Saints preserve us!) “When do the elves come to start watching if you’re being good?” (after Thanksgiving), “What does Santa do if he sees you spying on him when you’re supposed to be sleeping?” (he winks, laughs, but doesn’t speak a word), “How does the Post Office know where to deliver my letter to Santa?” (just write North Pole and they’ll get it there) and “Where exactly is the North Pole anyway and how does the Post Office get the mail there?” (Satellite-precision air-drops, naturally).

Then just the other day my heart skipped a beat when out of the blue she exclaimed, “You know mom, none of the kids at school really talk about Mrs. Claus, or the elves, or Rudolph and the other reindeer anymore. They just talk about what kinds of presents they’ll get. Some kids don’t even believe in Santa anymore.”

“Do you?” I asked, holding my breath.

“Of course,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Then you’d better get your letter to Santa written,” I exhaled. “Finalize your list and send it in the mail tomorrow. It’s already December.”

So without further delay, she took out a piece of paper and penned this little note:

Dear Santa Claus,

How are you doing? How are your elfs? A special present from you would be a bell from your sleigh. But if you can’t get me that here are the other presents I want.

(. . . an eight-point list of mostly Webkinz stuffed animals followed)

Love, (her name)

P.S. Say Hi to the reindeer and your wife

A bell from his sleigh. The timeless gift Santa presented the doubting little boy in The Polar Express, made recently into a Christmas movie classic. Her number one request wasn’t a toy, video game, computer or, miraculously though close, another dreaded Webkinz, but something you can’t put a price on, something you can’t buy in a store.

And although asking for proof, she is also asking to keep believing. Believing in the things we take on faith until, unable to rationalize them with our minds, we come to know them with our hearts. She asked for the hope and mystery to continue. She’s not ready to give up on any of that, and neither am I.

I put the letter in an envelope, stamped it, and mailed it immediately to the North Pole.

What I know for sure is I’ll never deny that Santa brings those presents wrapped in the paper and bows none of the other gifts are done up in. And I’ll be able to do so with a clean conscience, because I, like so many other parents, am Santa Claus. We are all Santa Claus. And that’s real enough for me.

I’d better get moving. I have a sleigh bell to wrap.

Christmas is one of the few times when families are likely to get together, so ensuring that everyone has a great time is crucial. In some cases you may need to plan activities that will help to keep everyone amused throughout the festive season and the internet is a great place to look for things to do. In this article we look at the top 10 Christmas activities worth considering using when you have family and friends over this year.

1 When it comes to decorating the home ready for Christmas then why not get the whole family involved. You could even ask the children to make some special decorations themselves for hanging on the tree or around the home this year. If you are stuck for ideas then the internet is a great source for arts and crafts.

2. As on Christmas day you will be very busy in the morning preparing the food for lunch, why not prepare something the day before getting your children to assist you. You could even ask them to make some gingerbread items that can then be used as decorations on the tree or which can be used as snacks whilst waiting for Christmas dinner to arrive. But don’t allow them to eat too many else they won’t want the wonderful dinner you have prepared.

3. There is a great game that you can play on Christmas day that all your family and friends can participate in and that is “Remember That Carol”. What happens is that each person will take it in turns to announce what carol it is they are going to sing and then sing one verse of it. This is a suitable game for all to play when travelling in the car as well over the Christmas period.

4. Another great game that you can play with family and friends is charades. But this time rather than just being on any theme you base it around Christmas. So it may be a certain Christmas song that others may have to guess that the person is acting out or it could be in relation to a decoration or even an animal associated with Christmas.

5. If you want to help the younger children in your family wind down on Christmas day or even on the days leading up to it then spend 5 minutes each night reading them a special Christmas story. It is crucial that you let your children decide what stories it is they want read to them each night. Plus every year why not purchase some new books that you can read to them that year as well as the ones they already have.

6. Sometimes families like to open one present on Christmas Eve and if you want to make it a little more memorable make it in to a treasure hunt. You will need to prepare everything in advance and make sure that you give them simple easy clues to follow which they can solve and will lead them to where their gift has been placed. If you find you have not got enough time to actually spend on coming up with your own clues the internet is a wonderful source for getting some very inexpensive ones readymade that you can print off and use.

7. Another activity you may find fun is actually taking a wonder round your neighbourhood one evening to see how other people have decorated their homes. Some people spend weeks before Christmas decorating their homes, not just inside but out so that everyone else can enjoy the festive season. In some cases there may be a charity box left outside where you can make a donation and the money raised is given to a local good cause.

8. Another thing you can do to help make your family Christmas special is for the whole family to learn about where they came from. Through this you and your family can learn about the ways your family use to celebrate Christmas in the past and maybe incorporate some of the activities they use to enjoy into your own. There are plenty of places online as well as speaking with others relatives that can help you to find out just what sort of Christmas your ancestors would have led.

9. Another activity that you could consider doing that you may not have done before and especially if you have young children is to go see a pantomime. Often these take place a few weeks before Christmas and will certainly help you and the rest of the family get into the swing of things.

10. One final activity that you should consider incorporating into your own family’s Christmas festivities is to make a big thing about turning the Christmas tree lights on. Spend the whole day with your family putting the tree up and decorating it then at the end of the day you then gather together and count down to the moment when someone flicks the switch and the lights come on. Why not make it a special event for someone in your family each year as towns and shopping malls do when they get some celebrity in to turn on theirs.

Above we have offered our top 10 Christmas activities which could help to make this festive season for your family and friends special. Certainly the more involved everyone is in this special event then the more enjoyable the time will be and of course you won’t be so stressed out.

More and more people are choosing to have their Christmas holiday away from home these days. Certainly if you are looking to be able to relax this Christmas then it is worth taking a late vacation with your family. Today there are plenty of places where one can spend the Christmas period and below we list the top 10 destinations that are worth considering spending this time of year at.

Destination 1 – The USA is a great place to spend your Christmas holiday this year. As you will soon discover there is plenty for all your family to do and see whilst visiting this country. You have the choice of either spending it in New York where the Christmas lights shine brightly or if you want something a little less cold then head towards Miami, Hawaii or the Bahamas. If you have children then a wonderful place to spend Christmas would be in Disney World Florida.

Destination 2 – Although it is a long way away another place that people are going to for Christmas these days is Australia. Remember when it ‘s winter where you live in Australia it’s summer and for something a little more unusual why not spend Christmas day on the beach. In fact many Australians have a Christmas barbecue rather than the usual Christmas dinner on the beach.

Destination 3 – If you are trying to get away from the cold North winds, another place to head to for Christmas is the Caribbean Islands. Not only will the weather be much kinder but you may find that you and your family may well have much of the beach to yourself at this time of year.

Destination 4 – Another place that offers great weather in the winter and where you could spend Christmas this year is Goa, India. Based in the Indian Ocean, Goa has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but you will find that the modern facilities will provide you with a very relaxing break.

Destination 5 – Another place that you may find wonderful to spend Christmas this year at is Paris. Why not spend time relaxing in one of the many sidewalk cafes enjoying a glass of wine or a coffee and watch the city lights come on as evening descends. Also throughout Christmas fireworks are set off and the city acts as a wonderful backdrop to these. To add to the enchantment why not take a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower to see the city in all its shining glory at night.

Destination 6 – Another place to visit for Christmas and really feel the fervour surrounding this Christmas is Rome. Here you will discover that more traditional celebrations take place and why not take time out to visit the many churches in the city which have been beautifully and tastefully decorated.

Destination 7 – It may be a strange place to visit at Christmas – but have you considered spending time in Japan? What many people do not realise that its carnival time throughout the month of December and the skies are often filled with dazzling fireworks. If you intend to spend Christmas and New Year in Japan then you should spend your time in Tokyo where things really do get a little crazy. But also take time to visit some of the many temples and hear the ringing of the bells.

Destination 8 – A place that really knows how to celebrate Christmas is Germany and in the weeks leading up to the festive season all the major towns and cities will have Christmas Markets in place. Here you can wonder around the stalls looking at many local arts and crafts along with having the chance to drink some warm Gluwein and try some of the local delicacies.

Destination 9 – If you are looking for somewhere magical to spend this Christmas then consider going to Austria. Throughout the month of December, towns and cities become winter wonderlands and at their Christmas markets you have the opportunity to try some of their special Christmas cookies.

Destination 10 – If you have young children then it is worth heading off to Finland for Christmas as this where Santa Clause resides. Along with having the opportunity to enjoy a truly white Christmas your child will actually be presented with a gift from Santa himself. During your stay why not go for a sledge ride or have a go at skiing or skating. In some places it becomes so cold you can take a walk across a frozen lake before you go and enjoy a traditional Finnish Christmas dinner.

Above we have shown you the top 10 Christmas destinations that many people choose to go to at this time of year. However, it is crucial that you arrange your accommodation well in advance to get what you want and also to get a great deal on it.

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As the holiday season draws near, you’re sure to be busy making your list and checking it twice.  Between balancing your budget with your children’s wish lists, battling the shopping malls for the best bargains, planning family gatherings, decking the halls, preparing holiday meals, gift wrapping, and more, it’s easy to see how Christmas can come and go without the time to slow down, take a breath, and enjoy the holiday season with your family.  

If you’re looking for ways to stop and smell the gingerbread this year while creating some precious memories that can last a lifetime, here are a few simple and fun holiday activities that will ensure your entire family has a holly jolly Christmas!

“Remember that Carol” is a simple game that both kids and adults will enjoy as they go from person to person each taking turns announcing a Christmas carol that they remember and singing a verse from it.  A great game to entertain your children at home or to pass time on the road while traveling for the holidays, it will have your family making beautiful music together in no time! 

Christmas Charades is fun for the whole family!  Just have everyone write out 2 or 3 common holiday-themed items, characters, or decorations, etc. on small pieces of paper.  Fold them all up and place them in a bowl, and then take turns drawing out one at a time and acting them out for all to guess.

Holiday bedtime stories.  Dedicate 5 minutes each night throughout the month of December to read your child a bedtime Christmas story book.  Let your little ones take turns picking out which book you will read each night.  You can let your children choose one or two new Christmas books each year to add to their collection. 

Christmas Gift Hunt.  If you like to open a gift early on Christmas Eve, or hunt for presents on Christmas day, you can create a memorable fun way for your children to receive their gifts by making a simple Christmas holiday hunt.  You’ll need to prepare ahead and hide a trail of simple holiday clues that when solved will lead your child from one clue to the next until they ultimately reach and uncover where their “treasured” Christmas gift has been stashed away.  If you don’t have time to make your own clues, inexpensive pre-made print ‘n’ play Christmas hunts are available online for both children and adults at Treasure-Adventure.com.  Simply download, print, and play instantly! 

Deck the halls!  Make holiday decorating a group effort.  Take time to work with your children to make a few simple personalized holiday projects that can be displayed in your home or be given as memorable and unique gifts to friends and family such as painting ceramic angels or holiday candles, making ornaments or homemade candy canes, coloring and cutting out Christmas designs and applying them to windows, stockings, sleds, and other traditional holiday decor, or making a wreath together with everyone contributing.  There is an endless array of Christmas craft kits you might take advantage of or just grab your construction paper, glue, scissors, glitter, garland, and crayons, and make your own holiday decorations. Your kids will love this family craft time and beam with pride as they get to show off their special creations to holiday visitors.

Finally, make Christmas eve all about family time.  Turn off the TV and video games, turn on the Christmas tree lights, and play an old-fashioned family game or just come together as a family to talk and enjoy each other’s company. 

It takes only a little time and creativity to bring your loved ones together around a few special holiday activities and make your own Christmas traditions and lasting family memories of the joyous holiday season together.