Where Can You Find Santa?

Feature Story

After struggling to decide on a topic worthy of a feature story for the holiday season, I came to a conclusion. I am no different than any of you out there facing the Christmas season with insecurities about my economic future and how I will make another Holiday “the most memorable yet.” Regardless of family traditions or what religion you practice, this time of year can bring on feelings of sadness and anxiety that can be hard to shake. Experts say one of the fastest routes to holiday depression is unrealistic expectations. There are also expectations around the holidays that everything must be perfect, and perfection is, of course, rarely obtainable.

Taking a look at my own personal situation, I had to be honest with myself. Holidays often bring nostalgia. They have their ups and downs. This is normal. I have realized I cannot get caught up in unrealistic expectations to create a family tradition that is formal or elaborate. My answer: Accept and enjoy the present moment. In today’s tough financial times, do I have the ability to look beyond how the Holidays are traditionally celebrated and find real meaning for my life today?

I have two children; a son ten years old and a daughter soon to be thirteen. Both are exceptional yet typical children. They’ve worked for days on end thumbing through every catalog carefully preparing their “Wish List”, which can throw any parent into shock. That’s when I decided to try something different. This year is going to be a non-traditional Holiday season! There are many ways to break that cycle, save some money and find every bit of satisfaction with family, friends and loved-ones.

What is this holiday season going to mean to you? The commercial aspects of Christmas can sometimes feel like an extended visit from Ebenezer Scrooge’s ghosts. The bombardment starts as soon as the Halloween pumpkins are put away and doesn’t stop until you embrace the holiday spirit or the calendar hits December 25, whichever comes first. This year we need to ask ourselves,
“WHERE CAN I FIND SANTA?”

There are several “places” to look… whether you choose to escape to a tropical island, travel the States to visit with family, look in the face of a new tradition or in the eyes of children during a quiet time, in home-made gifts that lift the spirits of others or in charitable donations which never go unappreciated.

According to Donna Cardenas of Christine’s Travel in Visalia, “Around here, the Christmas escape is to go to Hawaii. People want to get away from the hustle and bustle to do what it is really all about – spending time together away from the day to day duties. Family time away from home is very memorable and has a quality to it that you don’t get from sitting around the tree.” Donna says that lots of folks give the gift of travel in gift certificates for that very reason. Consider a gift of a trip to the coast or a BIG trip away like Hawaii!

If you want to get really elaborate, check out these suggestions on Travelchannel.com.

Magical Santa’s Lapland, Finland
Here reindeer roam free! The Elf School and Santa’s Control Center allow ample opportunities for your children (and you, too, if you so desire) to understand the intricate inner workings of all the North Pole’s entities, while the Ice Gallery and snowball range provide additional chilly alternatives.

Polar Express, New Hampshire
You can still have a similar experience aboard New England’s authentic rail expressway The Polar Express.

Walt Disney World, Florida
Disney World may seem like one big celebration at any time of year, but it boosts its cheer factor tenfold following the Thanksgiving Holiday!

North Pole, N.Y.
Visit Santa’s workshop, stop by and see the candymaker whip up a batch of sweets, watch the glassblower give a demonstration on how Christmas ornaments are made, or engage in a friendly chat with Tannenbaum, the giant talking tree.

Rocky Mountaineer Christmas Train, Canada
If ever there were a place on Earth that visually defined Christmas, the Canadian Rockies – the snow-capped mountains, icy countryside and forests of evergreen trees – would come pretty close

If you would rather stay close to home this season, but would like to deviate from the traditional routine of fighting crowds, disgruntled drivers and buying gifts that might just be returned on December 26th, try these options:

• Make a donation to your friend’s favorite charity (or your own favorite charity). Many organizations offer a holiday service in which you make a donation in someone’s name, and the charity sends that person a card noting that a donation was made in his or her honor.

• Bake cookies, cakes or pies and pick a day to drive around and deliver them to the homes of your friends and loved ones.

• Create something. Christmas magazines are full of easy and inexpensive craft ideas.

• Make coupon books with coupons for various things like, “Rake the leaves from your yard,” “Ride to work when your car is in the shop,” or “Cup of coffee and a sympathetic ear.”

• Open a day care center for a day. Pick a Saturday and let all your friends know that you will babysit their kids for the day so they can finish their shopping and buy gifts from Santa.

• Organize a group to go Christmas caroling and sing several songs in front of each friend’s house.

• Host a Christmas tea or party and serve delicious treats.

“Tis the season” for all of us to enjoy the pleasure of giving something special to the one’s we love. How about those we love and appreciate that will be away from home serving their country? This is a great group project or one that your family can accomplish together!

How to Make Christmas in a Shoebox for Our Military

Step 1:
Contact your local Red Cross or Veterans Club to get a list of military personnel that will give you and your group an idea of how many shoe boxes you will need. Then go to your local shoe stores and ask for shoe boxes for the project. Make sure that all the boxes are the same size and shape not too big or too small for the items you plan sending.

Step 2:
The items that you send should start with a Christmas card signed by everyone in the group letting the receiver know who you are and that you care. Visit your local motels, restaurants and grocery stores to ask them for donations to include in the gift box. Items such as shave cream, shampoo’s, body lotions, etc. can be accessed freely from your local business people. Gather as much as possible in sample items that will fit inside the box. Collect as many items that best represent you, your group or family and your hometown.

Step 3:
Plan a day to assemble and fill your shoe box making sure that all boxes have been gift wrapped and the lids wrapped separately to be attached after the box has been filled. Remember things like pen and paper are very much appreciated! Fill the boxes with your goodies including the candy, which should be individually wrapped. Feel free to include a personal message about your group, your family or yourself that will help the recipient know who put together this magical gift. Close the shoe boxes and tape the tops securely. Make sure that you have a larger box or boxes depending on how many shoe boxes you are sending that are addressed for mailing. I am sure you will find that you have a good feeling and so will the people in the military who are receiving your gift of love.

Ultimately, perhaps there is no single “true” meaning of Christmas out there, just whatever meaning we assign to the days based upon what we as individuals value. Just remember, the things that mean most in life don’t cost a thing…a smile, a hug, a kiss, companionship, friendship, words of appreciation. Everyone can give these without breaking the bank!

May you and yours have the most blessed of Holiday seasons!