It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go
Take a look at the five and ten; it’s glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes that glow

I wait for this time of year all year round. There are so many little things I look forward to seeing to kick off the beginning of December. When I pull into Wegmans and see the white lights glowing from the store with little Christmas trees everywhere, then see Christmas wreaths on the city poles, I know it’s officially here. I’ve always loved Christmas since I was a little girl. Christmas just gives you a different kind of happiness and feeling. I feel like “most” people are happier and extra-giving. It’s the spirit that fills the air wherever you go.

I don’t get to see commercials on TV too much because I don’t watch a whole lot of TV. But, when I see or hear the Christmas PA lottery commercial, typically before Thanksgiving, I get a smile on my face when I see that sweet older man hand off a lotto ticket to the food cart people and say, “Happy Holidays Rita!” Another sign that the holidays are here. Or, when Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ comes on the radio when 102.7 plays Christmas music. A tradition for the Susquehanna Valley and a favorite holiday classic song.

I partially love this song because anytime it comes on, and my husband is with me, I sing it to him. I mean, I pour my heart out to him with this song, even stroking his face with my hand, letting him know that all I want for Christmas is him. And sometimes, if I hear it, and he isn’t there, I’ll send him an awesome Snapchat with the big mouth filter, singing my heart out to him. So, I’m pretty sure that by the time December 25th comes around, and I’ve sung it to him 146 times, he knows he is all I want for Christmas! *Insert my cheesy smile here.* I can hear him saying, “ Babe, you are some kind of special.” Haha! (I honestly think he would miss this amazing Christmas tradition he is blessed with this time of year.)

What about walking into the grocery store and seeing all the holiday coffee creamers, candies, cookies, and butter shaped like turkeys and Christmas trees? Tis the season!

How about the very first house you see with Christmas lights or coming down Rt 15 and seeing that famous street over in Southside shining bright. Now, that always brings a huge smile to my face.

Hearing the bell from the Salvation Army volunteers makes you want to drop some change in that little red bucket. Even if you drop in fifty cents to a dollar each time you see one, it will help more than you know. Imagine if everyone that passed gave $1. That’s a fantastic turnover to a great cause. Isn’t that what Christmas is about? Helping others who need it? Giving is my favorite part of Christmas. Toys for Tots, Samaritan’s Purse, and even local food drives could all use our help. Make a child’s holiday or help an adult. That’s what it’s all about.

I love the music, I love the food, and I love all the little signs that Christmas is here. But, making a shoebox for a little boy or girl overseas given by Samaritan’s Purse, dropping in a toy for Toys for Tots, sending canned food into my child’s school for a local food bank, or dropping that $1 into a Salvation Army bucket, that to me, is what Christmas is all about.

Buying special gifts for my loved ones also makes me happy. You know what else makes me happy? Seeing all the manger scenes lit up outside homes, churches, and even businesses.

It’s an important reminder that Jesus gave us the best gift of all.

Holiday Oreo Bites

Ingredients:
• 24 Oreo Cookies
• 4 oz Cream Cheese (room temp)
• White chocolate (a little olive oil for melting)

Directions:

Place Oreos in a food processor until it becomes fine.

Add cream cheese and mix until dough forms.

Roll into 1 inch balls, place onto cookie sheet.

Place in the freezer for 15 minutes.

In the meantime, start melting chocolate and adding a tablespoon or so of oil for melting.

Dip Oreo balls into chocolate and top with your favorite holiday sprinkles!