Holiday Hullabaloo
In my profession outside of writing, I often give some extra time to the elderly people I come in contact with. I feel there is much to learn from this passing generation. One of my favorite topics to discuss with them are the “Christmases of years’ past”. I love to hear them talk about their Holiday’s they spent during the Great Depression and the different wars they have lived though. They typically describe a traditional scene of peace, love, joy, fun, and happiness. I have to admit it leaves me in awe as they describe these feelings of serenity, even with what little they had and how hard life was during those days that they are describing. It is interesting that many of these elderly have carried on the same traditions during the Christmas seasons all their lives. Now many of their children and grandchildren have the same meaningful traditions because of the feelings of joy they bring. Most of these acts of service, love, and hope, which they formed during those days of trials and hardness, make all the difference to them during the holiday season.
How has your Christmas Holidays been the last couple of years? Have you felt the numbness of the Holiday hullabaloo? Hullabaloo is a colorful word, meaning totally and underlay chaos which passes very quickly. Let me give you five different helps I have learned from the vast wisdom of one of the greatest generations, to help you start your own timeless traditions which will help your holidays become less hectic more meaningful.
#1 The Delivery
This is a very fun and rewarding activity for families. During the depression many families had very little, this included food. This family tradition consists of buying extra food and delivering it to other people’s houses at night when it is easiest not to get caught. That is right, the old “knock and run” tactic, deliver the food ring the door bell and run. Pick out some families that are going through some hard times, or anybody that you think might feel it a blessing that they where thought about. Everybody enjoys some hard to find out of season fruit now and then- that is- if you can find some.
#2 Love In Letters
This comes from a lot of the war veterans. When they where on the battle front often all they received at Christmas was letters. But what a difference a letter can make to a lonely or broken hearted person. Some of these soldiers and their families have been hand writing letters for Christmas for many of years. Try doing the 12 days of Christmas but with hand written notes to one person, or to twelve different people, with one letter each. It must be hand written, and here is why. I have never had a person yet show me a text or an e-mail they had printed off to keep in a special spot so they can get them out to reread, or show to someone that is visiting. All of these meaning full messages, sometimes boxes full have all been hand written on stationary. If the hand written message comes from a child, I promise you it will be cherished.
#3 A Parents Voice of Love
This comes from those that were busily just trying to keep the family fed and clothed by working every waking hour. Just imagine how much it would mean to a child, if a parent, grandparent, sibling, cousin, or friend took the time out of their busy holiday schedule, to sit and read every night of December some of the old holiday classics or one of the newer Christmas stories. This not only will make the child feel loved but it will help the reader find the joy of the holidays. The magic of Christmas is contained in so many books just waiting for a reader to open them and let it out. A child will be lifted up if this magic comes from the voice of a loved one.
#4 Family Surprises
This is from those families that could not afford store bought gifts to give to all. I have seen some of these homemade gifts that have been cherished through the generations of time. No store bought gift has ever been so loved or meant so much. This is a fun activity for the family. Have everyone in the family make a gift for one or two selected people that perhaps have been forgotten. Don’t let this stress you out and yes the little kids can participate. There are plenty of ideas on the internet to pull from. Homemade gifts are a must, because they will mean more to the chosen receivers. Plus you don’t want them to think they need to buy you something in return. Most are very easy and fun to create. The simpler and even cheesier the better, so they do not feel guilty for not returning presents. I will promise you that the gift is the least important of this activity. The receivers will remember the givers long after the gifts are used and gone. Plus the fun memories of putting these small easy gifts together will create long lasting memories for the family.
#5 Secret Society
This is from the families who had what they needed but just wanted to make a difference and feel the spirit more true. Are you feeling sneaky! Try to see how long you can do secret acts of service during the holidays without getting caught. Your sneaky service acts can be to family, friends, neighbors, elderly, new move-ins, or even strangers you have not met yet. The acts of secrecy can be anything from folding the laundry for mom, to leaving treats on the new move-ins door, to shoveling the neighbors drive way before they get home from work. Here is the key! If you get caught you must enlist the captor into your “Secret Service Society”, so now instead of just one you are two and so on tell the society has grown to many. Make them pinky swear, if you have to, so they will continue to serve. Watch how the good deeds pile up around you during this holiday season.
If you are like most people the whirlwind of the Christmas season spins you around and around faster and faster until it’s all over for another year and nothing was ever gained. I promise you that by trying one of these holiday traditions from this passing generation will help you and your family to reverse the “Holiday Hullabaloo”.
By The Author of Christmas Notes, Clint G Cox
Copy Write July 14, 2011
