I love to get presents for the holidays. I think most of us who celebrate the holidays enjoy receiving gifts. Since my family celebrates Christmas, I can only speak about my personal experiences with holiday giving and gatherings. Many people celebrate many different traditions and holidays around this time of the year.
When I was a child, I didn't put much thought into holidays other than we got gifts and got to go spend time with the aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins. We usually only gathered a time or two a year so December was a favorite month because it meant time with family--AND presents!
I'll admit that the gifts and opening them were a favorite part of the holidays for me when I was younger. As I grew older and (hopefully more mature) I came to realize that the presents were just a pleasant part of the holiday and that spending time with my loved ones held far more value than even the richest gift.
I think I first came to realize the importance of family after the passing of my grandmother on my mom's side. After she was gone, it seemed like getting together for the holidays was no longer a priority. In fact, for the past 30 years, we have only gathered as a family on a large scale at funerals, the last one being at the death of my mom a year and 3 months ago.
This happens, and it can be a sad part of life. We all get so busy. We have our own children and grandchildren and we may spend less time with the family we were born into and more time with the families we have created through marriage and children.
We can have fond memories of holidays past and wax nostalgically about the fun times. But I encourage you to not spend so much time dwelling on the past that you forget about enjoying the present.
We have created new traditions within our family over the past 30 years. Since my granddaughter joined us we have started the tradition of baking treats and watching the movie "Flubber" every Christmas eve! I know it seems kind of weird. What does that movie have to do with Christmas? Nothing! But it somehow has been something that we have done every year for the past 4 years (since the granddaughter discovered the movie). It is our new tradition!
We can all create traditions that make our holidays happier. Watching "Flubber" is one that makes my family a little happier!
This year one of the things I will be doing is going to visit my dad at the nursing home. They still require a mask or face coverings when you visit the home, but I will also be adding my BioProtect Hand Sanitizer to not only protect myself but also to protect my dad and the other nursing home residents.
Here's a few facts about LastGerm.com's hand sanitizer:
BIOPROTECT™ Hydrating Hand Sanitizer
BIOPROTECT™ Hydrating Hand Sanitizer is an FDA-registered hand sanitizer that kills 99.99% of germs and bacteria on your hands for up to 6 hours!
Moisturizes and hydrates hands as it kills germs and bacteria.
Infused with soothing aloe vera.
Fragrance-free, dye-free, paraben-free, and sulfate-free.
Convenient 1.7 oz size (Airline friendly), alcohol-free (no smell or sting!), and moisturizing hand sanitizer. Take it with you wherever you go!
In fact, I do carry this with me wherever I go. It helps not only protect me from germs and bacteria but also helps keep my hands softer which is a hard thing to do in Minnesota winter!
You could create a new tradition of giving this very effective hand sanitizer as a holiday gift!
In whatever way you celebrate the holidays, we wish you happiness and joy, and prosperity in the coming year!