Christmas Doings

A Guide to Better a Christmas
In case you have forgotten how to make the season right, the North Side Boys have thoughtfully prepared a few guidelines. Follow them all and they guarantee a Merry Christmas.
TOYS FOR EVERYONE: No matter how old or young, people still like toys. Paddle-ball or expensive stereo; make sure everyone gets a toy and Christmas will be better.
DECORATE: The minimum is a tiny tree. If you won't put up at least a picture, you deserve to be miserable. Other than that, the more you do, the more fun you and everyone else will have.
LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH: It's hard, but the best way to honor those you miss by death or distance is to spread joy to the ones you have. Find somebody and share something.
COOK: Special food makes everything special. Take the time to make something. Become famous in your family for some dish. If you can't cook buy something and say you did it.
HELP SOMEBODY: Volunteer for something or just be nice to friend. You won't have Christmas unless you find a way to help somebody.
FAMILY IS #1: If you have a choice, opt to be with your family. Forgive and forget.
REASON FOR THE SEASON HAS A PLACE: In an era when people have given up on our major institutions, church included, Christmas has to be more than gifts and good feelings or you miss the point.
SURPRISE: One surprise gift is a must. Be generous and go for it.
MAKE ONE PRESENT: Make one gift by hand— bake it, saw it, sketch it, sew it or write it; just do it.
HOLDING AND TOUCHING: Break out the mistletoe and use it. Christmas is for touching.
ENJOY: Attitude is everything. Enjoy your chance to go to lots of parties or cook for the family. Enjoy having a 1,000 things to do. Enjoy being tired and still having a list. Hospitals and nursing homes are filled with folk who would give anything to trade places with you.
BE A GOOD “GETTER:” Giving may be better than receiving, but it's close. When you get something, please appreciate that somebody gave you something. Show some joy!
SING: Go caroling if you can. Go to the church musical; put on some Christmas music; it will soothe the savage beast in you when you start to frazzle.
START TRADITIONS: Collect Santa's, pewter goblets, Teddy bears or coffee mugs. Have a traditional family toast, read the Christmas story or do advent wreaths. Create the traditions that will carry you through the hard times.
TELL FAMILY STORIES: Gather everyone around and tell about Grandpa when he was young or Christmas long ago. Kids will listen.
GAG GIFTS: give at least one each year and watch the fun begin (DO NOT HURT ANOTHER”S FEELINGS!).
SPECIAL THINGS: Parents (children), dig through the old photo albums and find pictures of you with your child (parents). Have one enlarged and framed and give it to you son or daughter (parents). Write, “I love you” on it.
SHARE YOUR BLESSINGS: The person who dies with the most toys is still dead.
NEW PAJAMAS: Every kid should have brand new pajamas to wear to bed on Christmas Eve
HAVE THE COURAGE TO PLAN: Somebody has to get things going. Make a plan and see what happens. Draw names, go skating, cut a tree, string popcorn; do something with your kin. Merry Christmas!