Christmas Is A Special Time Of Year

I know I'm not alone when I say Christmas is my favorite time of year. As a Christian, it is a celebration of our Lord and Savior. I also love the time that I get to spend with my family and all the great food we eat.

But I'm also not ashamed to say I love the commercial aspects of the season as well. I love decorating the house and Christmas tree. It is the one time of year I go all out in decorating. I love the lights, the ornaments, the figurines, and just about everything else. I also love giving and yes getting gifts. I even love the weather.

It is that time of year when you walk outside, the air smells crisp and the skies are a little grey. Jack Frost has touched the window panes with his magic fingers and the ice scraper needs to come out of the glove box in order to scrape off the front car window. Street lights take on a new aura as their red and green lights blink on and off. You begin to drive down the side streets on your way home to see who has the best light show on their lawn, and the children have sent their wish lists off to Santa.

Christmas itself represents a Holiday season that has taken on countless meanings all over this diverse country of ours; from snow covered hills to pink lights on palm trees, nativity scenes to peppermint pigs. Ebenezer Scrooge and The Grinch, as well as Miracle on 34th Street and It’s A Wonderful Life, all hold a special place in our hearts. Some of us may travel across the country during Christmas time, while others of us may simply travel across the street.

We all, it seems, have our own Xmas traditions. They may involve family gatherings, decorating the tree at a certain time, eating certain foods, or doing certain things together as a family. And even though many are similar, each one is also unique to you and your family.

No matter what our Christmas traditions are, there is one very strong connection that we all share. Recent events in our country’s history, [9-11, Hurricane Katrina], remind us all of this connection and continue to strengthen that bond every day. This time of year we gather together with friends and family. As we gather, some of us may celebrate the birth of Christ, some of us may light candles on a Menorah, some of us may simply unwrap gifts with glee without a second thought. Yet there is no doubt, no question, that we all gather to celebrate each other.

We gather to celebrate life, and family, and those we love. We gather to enjoy good food, good conversation and good company. We reminisce about past holidays, remember those we love who are no longer with us, and plan for the future. We share photos, we share gifts, and we share laughs. At Christmas time we look for the innocent sparkle in our children’s eyes as we help them to create their own memories, and tuck them soundly into bed with a smile on their faces as ‘visions of sugar plums dance in their heads’.

No matter our age, our race, or our nationality; No matter our heritage, our upbringing, or our traditions; At Christmas time, we live, we laugh, and we love.

The primary focus of this website is to help you enhance your own traditions, or perhaps start new ones. You'll find ideas for decorating, Christmas gifts, even vacations. We'll even help you get cleaned up after the season. Look around and have a sensational Christmas.

• How Christmas Became December 25
  Whether or not you are a Christian, you know doubt know that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. But you may not know why December 25th is the date it is celebrated.