Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!

It's the time of year to show everyone how much you love them and show them your appreciation for who they are. Personally, I think nothing does this better than a homemade gift with a little bit of thought put into it. It doesn't have to be expensive or fancy but just something that will make them feel special because you put time into doing something for them personally.

As I was making Chocolate Penuche yesterday, I reflected on this very thing. I have a lot of things going on and asked myself, "Why do I try to do so much every Christmas?"

The answer immediately hit me. It was because I love to make other people happy.

Everything I was doing was to bring a smile to someone's face. My own christmas tree and decorations never even got put up this year. I got the lights on the house and a tree because that's all the hubby cared for and that was it. And I was ok with that because it's not what matters to me.

As I added the vanilla to the melted candy I realized that I love to do this (make candy and desserts) and I love to make it for people and share my love with others who I feel will love it too.

Isn't this the best part of Christmas? The giving? The sharing?

It is for me.

So go ahead and whip up a batch of toffee or candies. Delicately tie it with a beautiful bow, attach a homemade tag with a short sweet message on it and watch their eyes brighten as they see your gift of self that you have created specifically for them. These are the gifts we remember.

I love this quote that I used last year on my Christmas tags.

Christmas means 'giving,' and the gift without the giver is bare. Give of yourselves; give of your substance; give of your heart and mind. ~ President Gordon B Hinckley

The meaning of Christmas is sharing, for charity is the pure love of Christ.

So my message to you is this:

In all that we do, let it be for others.