i wrote this in another group i belong to, in reply to a rant about the commercialization of the season.. just to kind of let people know that there is a better way.. and it doesnt have to be just at this time of year.. i have decided to share it among all my friends, because it brought back some fond memories. and it sort of lets you know that its not about how much money you spend.. because when it was happening, i had no money.. but i think it was the best Christmas i ever had.

well there are still a few of us out here that dont BUY into all the holiday hoopla. for many years now, i have hand crafted every gift that friends and family receive from me on any occasion..i believe that if you want to give something that will be cherished for years to come, to make it with the 2 hands God gave you, is the best gift.there are a lot of people out there, who seem to have forgotten that there is a reason we were given hands.. they were not given to smack the kids, or snap the fingers, or clap.. they were made for giving.. at least, that is my personal belief.. in giving, whether it be in the giving of a healing touch, cooking a meal for the family, caressing a much loved pet, or whatever use, the greatest things are done with the hands. they can bring pain, or joy.. they can take, or they can give pain. but to give something that is made with your own hands, is perhaps the best thing we can do to honor those we love, as well as honor the one who gave them to us. i remember one year in particular.. my daughter was about 9 i think, so about 20 years ago... my best bud in the world has 5 kids of her own, and then there was me and kathy.. we both were dead broke, so we kind of pooled our resources, and got some stuff for dinner, and there was about 10 bucks after we took all the pop bottles in for deposit.. well, with 6 kids, 10 bucks wasnt going far, so we split it, and audex got 6 candy canes, and i bought 6 skeins of yarn.. when we got home, the kids were pretty disappointed, but went to bed with no fuss for a change. audex went to work in the kitchen, and i just went to work.. first, i made each kid a home made christmas stocking.. we didnt have enough for a tree, so we went out and raided the dumpster, and found some limbs from a neighbors tree, and we tied them together with some ribbon, and decorated it, and then hung all the stockings in front of it, along the edge of the coffee table. about an hour later, a friend came by with a small package for each of the kids, and a cheap bottle of schnapps, and some herb.. a bonus we didnt expect.. anyway, after he left, audex went back to the kitchen, and i went back to work on my crocheting..a few hours later, we took a break, and finished off the bottle, and the herb.. it was about 5:00 am Christmas morning. i was finishing the last of the gifts.. i had made each of the kids a matching scarf and stocking cap.. audex did not realize the one i was making was for her.. she sat there, and watched me making her present..  she kept mentioning how it was going to get so dirty, because it was snow white.. that i was silly to do anything for the kids in white, because i knew how dirty it would get.. i just kept agreeing with her, and kept on working.. after all, i wanted to finish, and get the stuff wrapped before the kids woke up. she finally drifted off to sleep, with the aroma of the fresh baked biscuits filling the house with that wonderful homebaked smell.i finished the crocheting, and went upstairs, and wrapped the goodies with the funny section of the sunday paper..then sneaked past the bedroom where the kids were still sleeping,and peeked in, making sure everyone was still asleep.. i took the packages down, and put them around the tree, and  started a pot of hot cocoa, with real marshmallows, and started singing rockin' around the Christmas tree.. thats still my favorite song this time of year... everybody was up by the time i finished the song, and the cocoa.we had fresh biscuits with honey, and cocoa for breakfast, the kids had till then, avoided the living room, because they knew there was no tree, or presents.. hahaha.. well, at my insistance, we were going to go and listen to Christmas music, and sing some songs.. after all, the day wasnt just for presents and food.. so amid all the grumbling and groaning, we went in the living room... well, you can imagine a bunch of unhappy kids... they went wild.. they oooo'ed and ahhhh'ed over the makeshift tree, and there were even presents!!  usually, one of the kids got to pass out gifts, but this year, i did the honors.. i let them open bobs gift first.. they each got a lifesaver book, and a troll doll.. trolls were really big back then... i thought it was perfect, because they all loved the gifts, and it made it more fun to get a toy and candy..you know how kids are.. anyway, then i passed the gifts that i made out. i just knew they were going to be disappointed. boy was i wrong!  they went crazy over the scarves and hats.. i had managed to get the favorite colors, in the best combinations.. well, leave it to audex, she noticed 2 things at the same time.. that there was 1 extra gift, and that there was nothing for me.. i handed her the last package, and as she opened it, and saw the white hat, and scarf, the one she had said i was so foolish for making, and as the tears started rolling down her face, i told her this.... audex, right here, right now, this minute, this is the best present anyone has ever given me.just to have a friend like you, and to have a place to be for the holidays.. just to not have to spend today alone, just me and kathy... this is my gift.. and the look on all your faces, and to know that my small presents mean so much to you,, its the only present i need.. oh, and of course the meal you worked so hard on, thats a bonus.. she wore that hat and scarf all day long.. she even served dinner in it.. the best part is, that last time i saw her.. which was way too long ago, she still has them.. and she still goes on and on, about the one present she ever got, that was made right in front of her, and she never had a clue... God!! how i miss her.. so,try to remember one thing.. no matter what faith you follow... there is a reason, for the season.. be kind to each other. when someone tries to grab that cd.. let them.. its really not worth the trouble.. and try to remember people like me.. who are alone for the holidays.. maybe visit someone that has no family for the holidays.. instead of trying to buy presents for your friends, try the gift of friendship.. it will last longer than anything you can buy.. take care everyone, and please.. have a safe and happy holiday season.. peace..