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It seems Halloween is barely behind us when we find every store filled with Christmas decorations and commercials reminding us of the upcoming Holidays. Kids watch intently as the endless display of toys comes across the screen. In the midst of all of this, did you ever to stop to think what it’s all really about? What other people might do at this time of year? You might be surprised to find that in some ways we are different, but in many surprising ways we are all very much alike.

There are traditions that are handed down from generation to generation, sometimes no one knows how they started, but no one would dream of stopping them. Some of the more popular traditions include the children. Many people, each year, buy an ornament for each child in the family, to celebrate a special occasion that may have happened, or just to remember that year in a special way. I have found this to be a great tradition. We began to do this when our oldest daughter turned 1 year old. Each year we buy a new ornament, as her sisters came along, they also have received ornaments. Now, years later they each have a collection of ornaments that they can have for their own trees, to share with their kids. There are some that buy new pajamas for each child to wear on Christmas Eve. Then on Christmas morning, they are new, fresh and ready to welcome the day. Who can forget the ever popular plate of cookies and glass of milk set out for Santa Claus? In recent years, it has also been popular to throw ‘reindeer food’ on the front lawn. This special ‘food’ is made up of oatmeal and glitter.

One of the most amazing things about the holiday season, even for us older folks is the lights. It is amazing the amount of love and energy that people will put into the decorations. It has become such a ‘business’ that many pl now charge for people to drive through to see these displays. They are amazing to see, and to take the kids out and see the looks on their f with each display is priceless. For a short time, they are taken away from the video games and TV and can share the simple things in life, something we often do not have, but are looking for.

What parent has not stood in line at the mall waiting for a picture with Santa? It is a tradition, maybe more for the parents than for the kids. Sometimes they are excited about it, other times they would rather run and hide. It is a tradition and a symbol of something we cherish and hope that somehow these kids will hold on to that wonder just a little while, that they will see that there is hope, mystery and promise in this world.

Probably one of the most discussed topics over the holidays is how we celebrate. We have many ways of celebrating the holidays, but I think in the end we are celebrating the same thing. We are celebrating our families; we are celebrating togetherness and our joy that we are alive and are able to spend this time together. Now matter what we believe in our hearts, no matter what our religion, or phase in life, the Holiday season will bring out the child in all of us.