December offerings

Our 2023 is rapidly coming to a close, engaging us all in the best month of the twelve, December. These last 31 days of the year bring joy and wellness to both old and young. The birth of Jesus, festive decorations, mistletoe, Santa Claus, presents and giving, and the approach of New Year’s Eve. There’s some element of December to lift everyone’s hearts.

One feature I enjoy is the array of fantastic television viewing–something for us all to watch and enjoy. Healthy, joyful, family movies run daily to allow us to share time and memories together. For one thing, there are an amazing number of “A Christmas Carol” variations to choose among. The classic Dickens novella that introduced the world to Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim was written in the 1800s, and has been being made into movie adaptations since 1901. A quick online search will find you at least 21 full-length remakes of the story and about 40 “personalized” ones, including The Muppets, My Little Pony, The Simpsons, Family Guy, Bugs Bunny, and even Northern Exposure. Also available in many places this time of year are Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful Life. From the time when we Baby Boomers were raising children come Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Charlie Brown Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and A Christmas Story: Timeless stories for young(er) and old(er) to enjoy together.

Hallmark and the Lifetime Channel have story after story for those of us who like to tear up as the story comes to its close. The family–Mom, Dad, all the kids–can sit together on the sofa by a warm, toasty fireplace and watch a string of movies every evening.

The Santa Clause with Tim Allen. Elf with Will Ferrell. Fred Claus with Vince Vaughn. The Polar Express with Tom Hanks. All found on numerous channels any night of the week.

For anyone with no children to entertain, you’re guaranteed a good laugh if you watch some Saturday Night Live (SNL) sketches that have been put together over the years.

December also offers the best music of the year for listening to. Most of our favorite music artists offer shows with songs bringing on the Christmas Spirit. “Santa Tell Me.” “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” “Silent Night,” “Jingle Bells,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “Silver Bells,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” “Deck the Halls.” These are just a few to refresh your memory. 

Many of our favorite Christmas songs have been around for years and years. Of course you know the story of “Stille Nacht,” the German song which translates as “Silent Night.” It was performed for the first time in 1818: talk about staying power. “Jingle Bells” is among the most common songs in the entire batch of Christmas movie soundtracks. “White Christmas,” sung by the “voice of Christmas” Bing Crosby, is sung worldwide.

December is also the best month of the year for a family ride together. Unlike the Fourth of July in summertime when everyone feels crowded, sweaty, and surrounded by mosquitoes, the heated car is comfortable and welcoming. Everyone can nestle into the warmth and go in search of Christmas lights and displays. Available for your viewing pleasure are everything from a serene, lighted nativity scene featuring Baby Jesus, Joseph and Mary, the wise men, angels, and the shepherds with animals to energetic lights zipping on and off at a hip-hop pace. For anyone who wants a sure thing, your quest for a major light show can take you to see what the Kiwanis have put together in Mankato’s Sibley Park. Something for everyone, whether all passengers stay in the car or get out and walk–don’t forget a food shelf donation!

During December, networks and news stations make a major switch to include heartwarming, joyful news stories. Car dealers giving away 12 new automobiles to 12 needy, single moms in the Twin Cities. The Maple Grove fire department, consisting of five fire stations, carrying on the tradition of giving out food baskets. They give out $30,000 worth of food to the needy, with the aid of Cub Foods. A heartwarming story about a class of sixth-graders who heard about anonymous individuals giving out $100 bills to the needy. The class raised $8,000 and went out distributing $100 bills to people in need. Tears of joy were shed by the recipients and the students–even the news reporter wrapped up the story with tears rolling down her cheeks. High profile professional athletes are constantly in the news taking a needy young child Christmas shopping. 

Stores have enclosures you can fill with toys and gifts for children. People are ringing bells and holding red buckets requesting your donation to help someone. In Waseca, churches are busy with their drives to provide food and clothing for the needy. Members of the Waseca police department took needy children on a shopping spree at Walmart buying gifts for their family. Walter and Cheryl Mishek threw their annual Christmas party. The people invited were asked to bring gifts–gifts for the Waseca area food shelf. Between the guests and the Misheks, a very generous $18,000 donation resulted.

 When we send our emails or messages to others, we all become familiar with abbreviations. MBF (my best friend). LOL (laugh out loud). BTW (by the way). TTYL (talk to you later) are examples. 

As for me, the month of December brings on my annual case of EDIAS: every deal is a steal. The major symptom? Telling my wife I’m all done with my Christmas shopping. I’ve said this at least five times, but continued to shop. I experience sudden episodes of EDIAS in stores like Scheels, Fleet Farm, Cabella’s and, as with my most recent case yesterday, in Bomgaars. Everything was 12 percent off, even discounted items. I left the store with four new Carhartt stocking hats for my grandchildren; got lucky, they even had a youth size. A camping jacket for my daughter-in-law, a new Igloo ice fishing chair, and a ton of munchies to be stocking stuffers for Marc and the boys. My son Marc and my wife, Lisa, tell me the cure is simple: Just get rid of my credit cards. That’s a negatory; I’ll continue to live with the condition!!

To everyone, have a very merry Christmas and a jolly good time with family. TTYL.