Tag Archives: Charles Dickens

Unusual Last Minute Gifts: Christmas Present

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Unusual presentsThere are some lovely little shops where we are at the moment. This afternoon I got the chance to find some unusual last minute gifts. I love finding different Christmas presents.

That got me thinking about Charles Dickens again. It brought me into my Christmas Present. I love the opportunity to search out little gifts that are unexpected, unusual and fit the person. Then to see the reactions of my family when they open the gifts. I don’t spend a lot of money because it’s far more fun to buy something special within a budget. A challenge really. I like to feel that I have been creative too. So I enjoy wrapping each little gift as well as I can. Because I do feel that it’s the thought that counts. Remembering what each person likes but might not expect to get. The more unusual the better.

It also guarantees a surprise when the gift is open. And I love the excitement that happy surprises bring. That’s what is special about my Christmas Present. I get to spend time in positive energy with the people I care about. And our other family are a phone call away. One of the positives of our modern technology. So the next few days will also be full of contact with family and friends to send positive wishes out to them. And to recieve their wishes back. Unusual though it may seem I also like a little bit of time to myself over the Christmas break. Time to bring my loved ones in Spirit to mind. An opportunity to remember friends who have drifted out of my life. And a chance to count my blessings from the year just gone.

I love my Christmas Present. It’s a wonderful time to share the gift of love. I hope you get something unusual as part of your Christmas celebrations. And get to share the love of family and friends too.

Day 760 of my blogging challenge 

Decorating The Tree: Remembering Christmas Past

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decorating the treeWe have been decorating a Christmas tree today. Getting ready for another celebration in this season of Light festivals. As I picked out the baubles it drew me back to Christmas past.

I love ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens with it’s themes of love, loss, redemption and community. Although it was written over one hundred and seventy years ago it’s still relevant today. And the name Scrooge has become a deeply ingrained name to represent the miser in all of us. The Victorians gifted us many of our current Christmas traditions, including decorating the tree, although they also echo many Pagan themes. I like this thread of continuity as we link back into earlier times. Charles Dickens also links his main character back to Christmas Past so that Scrooge can see where his life got out of step. The reflective moment I had when I was doing our tree.

I have been able to enjoy many great Christmas celebrations. My family and friends have featured in nearly all of them. I love that we have been able to gather and enjoy time together. Even in the times when that wasn’t always possible the phone and internet kept us close. My memories are precious. Because I know that love can be in short supply in the world. Yet I have never lacked love and kindness. But I do wonder about others in our global communuty who may look at Christmas Past with sad eyes. Decorating a tree when  loved ones are no longer there becomes a challenge. Loosing loved ones changed the shape of my life. And the shape of my Christmas celebrations. Yet I also know that my loved ones are still with me bringing the gift of their love.

Their love made sure my life didn’t get out of step. Mistakes yes, but never cutting myself off from recognising that kindness matters. Decorating my tree I realised that I have no regrets about my Christmas Past memories. They are happy, positive and filled with love. I’m looking forward to making more good memories this year too.

Day 759 of my blogging challenge