Cindy D's Christmas Page

Christmas Tips

Everyone is a Writer These Days?

By: Cindy Anne Duncan

“Selfishness makes Christmas a burden; love makes it a delight”_Unknown

I LOVE receiving calls and e-mails from everyone on different subjects, your nominations, wonderful ideas, and simply letting me know you like what I write……though this little guy sure took me by surprise. Simply signed, Ralph, I had no idea until his photograph that Ralph was a dog, and a very good little dog he has been!

Ralph gave me some really good gift ideas that, that he said he had put on his list for Christmas. So here are a few things on Ralph’s list to Santa, he says ALL dogs will love these special gifts at Christmas:

A fuzzy ball.
A flavored chew stick.
A Light weight Christmas sweater.
A chance to snack on leftovers.
A comfy pillow to sleep on.

Ralph went on to send his little sisters list to Santa as well. Sissy told him ALL cats will love these special gifts at Christmas:

1. Tidbits of turkey, chicken and ham.

2. Solitude.

3. A scratching post.

4. Lots of balls!

Well, thanks to Ralph and his little sister Sissy, we now have some gift ideas for our own dogs and cats. But, what about those people on your list that have EVERYTHING? Well here are a few suggestions that I have found that I believe they would like:

A gift certificate that relates to an area of special interest.
A book that relates to an area of special interest.
A magazine subscription that relates to an area of special interest.
A gift packet of movie tickets to a local theater.
A gift certificate for dinner for two to an elegant, local restaurant.

The last “Christmas Tip,” for now is creative ways to personalize your Christmas cards:

Tape a family picture inside.
Enclose a favorite family recipe on a 3 by 5 card, with the name of the relative you associate it with.
Enclose a one- page Holiday Update to share what’s going on in your family.
Copy and enclose a cherished family poem.
Inside the cover, pen your favorite Scripture focusing on Jesus.

“It is Christmas in the mansion, Yule-log fires and silken frocks:

It is Christmas in the cottage, Mother’s filling little socks.

It is Christmas on the highway, in the thronging, busy mart;

But the dearest, truest Christmas, Is the Christmas in the heart”_

Merry, Merry…….all the way!

A Gift of Time

A Cookie Decorating Party

By: Cindy Anne Duncan

Columnist

“A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey left inside”_ Winnie the Pooh

Years ago when my sons were young, their aunt Nonnie traditionally held a “Cookie Decorating” Christmas party for the cousins and neighborhood children. She would have already made the cut out sugar cookies. There were Santa’s, Christmas trees, Angels, Christmas balls, snowmen, ginger bread men, candy canes and stars. She then let the children decorate them with icing, candy coated chocolates, sugar sprinkles, candy canes, and mints. It was such a very special treat and fun for all! She decided this year to bring back that tradition for the children in our family and in my neighborhood. (I don’t really know who is more excited my sister and I or the children)!!

This is a fun way for children to feel a part of the Christmas festivities and have a party all of their own. Plus, the cookies they make will make for their very own gift to give to their parents, grandparents or others. The cookies will be their very own creation, however they choose to decorate the cookies, let their imagination and creativity bloom.

The number of pastry bags, cookies, icing and candied sprinkles you will need will depend on how many children are at the party. Assume each child will probably want to decorate at least 7 to 10 cookies, and that you will need at least one icing bag for each child. Take into consideration how many bags of each color you will need. You will also want to set up a table with a plastic cover and arrange a place for each child with paper plates, knives and decorating items.

Another fun project the children can do is to cover a shoe box with Christmas wrapping paper, so they will be able to place their cookies inside once completed. If they are giving their cookies as gifts they may need more than one box per child.

This is truly a fun tradition to start, and it gives the children a sense of pride, showing off their creations. It also gives them a chance to let their imaginations and creativity run free, it unleashes the artist in each child. As much as the children love to show off their work, this event gives them the opportunity to help and support one another. It is amazing the way that children may boost the morale of a child who is shy, does not feel that they can decorate their cookie, and they also love to help the younger children as well.

You can use this idea for all holidays, or simply throw a cookie decorating party just for the fun of it! It serves as a great birthday and slumber party activity as well. At the end of the party you will have platefuls of delicious creations and some very proud cookie-decorating artist who’ll be eager to show off, as well as eat their work!

Just mix with warm co-co and you are ready to go~

“Yummy,”

Cindy

My Grown Up Christmas List

By: Cindy Anne Duncan

Columnist

“What the world needs now, is love sweet love,

It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.

What the world needs now is love sweet love,

No not just for some but for everyone”_ Lyrics to What the World Needs Now is Love, by The Carpenters

As I have been organizing and simplifying (YES…..simplifying) my life…..I came across a photo taken in the early sixties of my sister and I on Santa’s knee. I can only imagine what was on my list….Barbie Dolls, an Easy Bake Oven, a new bicycle?

Those of you, who know me and my writing, know that I adore music! So, I just simply can’t help to share with you this song and MY grown up Christmas list! It is one that I feel our world so desperately needs, so very much. My Prayer as you read the lyrics to this song is that each and every one of you can reflect on how you can in your own way give this gift to our world and those within it. So, here’s my grown-up Christmas list ~

Do you remember me?

I sat upon your knee

I wrote to you with childhood fantasies

Well, I’m all grown-up now

Can you still help somehow?

I’m not a child, but my heart still can dream

So here’s my lifelong wish

My grown-up Christmas list

Not for myself, but for a world in need

No more lives torn apart

That wars would never start

And time would heal all hearts

Every man would have a friend

That right would always win

And love would never end

This is my grown-up Christmas list

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth?

Maybe only in that blind belief can we ever find the truth

No more lives torn apart

That wars would never start

And time would heal our hearts

Every man would have a friend

That right would always win

And love would never end

This is my grown-up Christmas list

Sweet Laughter’s Lost

By: Cindy Anne Duncan

Columnist

“I believe there are angels amongst us, unfortunately there is evil as well, we must never forget”_ Cindy Anne Duncan, Columnist

This past week, a community, someone’s hometown in Newport, Connecticut lost the love, laughter, and innocence of 20 precious children and six adults. If you listen with your heart, you will hear their void.

I am thankful that we live in a country where there is freedom of speech, freedom of the press, innocent until proven guilty, and most importantly freedom of Prayer. I trust the values of our Country, though in times such as this I find myself really wondering if we all simply need to get back to a simpler place in time. I mean a little slower pace in which we enjoy time with our family and friends instead of children in their own rooms watching television, on the computer and the many, many electronic devise’s. With 100’s of channels to watch, I believe for sure, it was a better time in the lives of families with three channels 3, 6, and 12.

I, as well as all, am simply horrified at this unthinkable act, this shocking intrusion of evil, a loss unimaginable, it makes me simply sick to my stomach. The thoughts of these little ones and those trying to protect them are moment’s children as well as adults should never see, feel, experience and eventually die from. We, are much stronger than evil, how dare this happen.

I want their precious laughter to return, and I pray and KNOW that these children and those who desperately tried to protect them are blessed with all they will ever need. They will follow where they are led, guided ever so gently, safely and love will give them joy. Joy in the smallest of things, beauty, we can’t begin to imagine and happiness for tomorrow to begin. These little one, whose laughter we have lost, so deserve for their gentle small ways. They were blessed wrapped gently in faith, the love and gift that only God can give them. Their sweet spirit, their short life, laughter’s gone, though as I sit quietly in front of my fireplace, I hear “Let the children come forward,” and I know in Heaven there are little children skipping, hoping, loved and yes, laughing.

Rest in peace sweet one’s, and laugh, play and love each and every day. And for some reason, I also feel they are being taught, wonderful things by their teachers who went with them, things of peace, faith, joy and love~

For remember that God is much bigger than evil and he promises us that……. And the greatest of these is love.

I know that you will continue to keep these families in your prayers,

God Bless,

Cindy

Tis the Season: Mary Did You Know

By: Cindy Anne Duncan

Columnist

“And the Angels said to her…” Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus”…And Mary said…” Let it be…”_ Luke 1:30-31, 38

I can only imagine the first thoughts that Mary must have thought when told, that she was chosen to give birth to God’s Son. Yet her words, “Let it be,” the words, her actions from that moment, until her death spoke of her faith, her love, her trust, her heart’s desire to follow God. She let go of everything and listened to the words spoken to her by the Angel of God and yielded to the unfathomable purpose of God in her life.

In the world which we live in today, sometimes we lose sight of the true meaning of the Christmas season. As I have always told my readers, I simply write from my heart, sparked by something that calls me to write. Sometimes to tell you the honest truth, it is hard to write, when your heart is heavy and your mind is filled with worry, fear or many of the things that cross our paths as we walk through this world. Let it be, sometimes that is the hardest thing to do, though the thing in which we must do. It is what Mary did, and look what she brought into this world.

The Christmas season is a joyous season, though for many it can be a very lonely and hard time. But the truth of the matter is, no one is alone, for the vision of a life more abundant, a life filled with joy, is the priceless gift this season brings to us. The love of the one who will never forsake us, the birth of Jesus Christ, and all that he has planned for each and every one of us!

What followed for Mary was not easy, I can only imagine being pregnant, carrying a child in the days of long ago. Though through it all she followed God’s direction and let it be. She could do nothing but wait and be attentive to the mystery God placed within her. I can only imagine with each day as her tummy grew, the overwhelming love that she felt. For as a Mother, I had that same feeling. I can only imagine tears quietly falling from her eyes, tears of many different kinds, though she let it be.

I remember holding each of my children for the first time and kissing them, their “first kiss” will always be from me. The same with Mary, as she held this tiny wonderment, our Lord and Savior, his “first kiss” was from his Mother. I was a very anxious, overprotective Mother, as many of us were. Mary, was no different I am sure, and had much more to fear than we could ever begin to imagine. Though she let it be.

We are all having a wonderful wonder in our hometown this season, with all our town has to offer. Though I know that each of us know the true reason for the season. For quite awhile now I seem to have had Mary in my heart, my thoughts. For she had much more to endure in her lifetime with Jesus as her son. And as sweetly as he came alive through her body, how tragically did she lie at the foot of the cross, I am sure it was hard for her to even breathe, much let watch the unbearable. Though she let it be.

You may not have children of your own; you may have children that live far away, estranged from you, serving in the war. Your children may have gone to be with the Lord ahead of you. Your child may have chosen a different path than you had hoped and prayed for. Your child may be sick, in jail. I don’t know your situation, and it may be wonderful, I pray that it is. Though one thing that I know for sure, we are all someone’s child and that is God’s.

I am going to leave you with the lyrics to the inspiration, for the Mother in my column today, many of you know them. Mary Did You know? Somehow I believe she did, and not only loved her precious son, though let it be.

Mary, did you know

That your Baby Boy would someday walk on water?

Mary, did you know

That your baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know

That your Baby Boy has come to make you new?

This child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know

That your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know

That your Baby Boy will calm the storm with his hand?

Did you know

That your baby Boy has walked where Angels trod?

When you kiss your little Baby Boy you kissed, the face of God?

Mary did you Know.

The blind will see.

The deaf will hear.

The dead will live again.

The lame will leap.

The dumb will speak

The Praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know

That your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know

That your Baby Boy will one day rule great nations?

Did you know

That your Baby Boy is Heaven’s perfect Lamb?

The sleeping Child your holding is the Great, I Am.

God Bless each and everyone, let your soul be a place of nativity, and let it be.

Live in Love and Peace our world so desperately needs it.

I wish each and every one of you a very Happy, Healthy WONDERFUL Holiday ~

Cindy Anne Duncan

You must be a member to submit this survey. If you are a member please log in first. You can't submit this form until you've logged in.

1)	Did You Enjoy Cindy Duncan's Articles?