Growing Bolder Community

DAY 5 in "Santa’s 12 Tips for Celebrating an Ideal Christmas" series is, "Enjoy Others’ Traditions". We manage to get fairly narcissistic in this country about our holidays, particularly as it relates to Christmas. December is host to other holidays, including Chanukah, Kwanza and even Boxing Day. A little participation and recognition of someone else’s tradition will go a long...

This is Day 4 of Santa's 12 tips for Celebrating Christmas. Today's tip -- Go on Vacation- Ok, so this idea may be far from traditional (see Day 3) but sometimes you might just need to use the holiday season as an opportunity to take a much needed vacation. Even if Christmas or Chanukah is about family, sometimes one needs a break from family. Going away provides just such an excuse....

If only I were as wise and as great a writer as Mr. Church. This is a perfect answer to a question; a rebuttal to those whose hearts and minds are cold and closed – even today. The background: Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman...

I was shopping for Halloween decorations in the “seasonal” section of a big box store and experienced a mini electrical jolt when I rounded a corner to encounter a wonderland of Santa sculptures, nativity scenes and light bedecked Christmas trees. Halloween definitely elicits a few horrors. I must have seasonal amnesia. I truly forget each year (and I’m currently in my 58th)...

This is day 2 of Santa's 12 tips for celebrating an ideal Christmas. Today's tip is "Hang Out with Friends" and features Santa arm in arm with his pal, Frosty the snowman. The holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas is often fraught with frenzy so try to set aside a little time to hang out with your pals.

As the holiday season comes to a close, here are Santa's final tips for celebrating the holidays. Keep them in mind for next year.7. Eat Forbidden Foods - We diet all year long. Christmas calls for a vacation from dieting. And don’t feel guilty. (OK, so just don’t eat the whole pie) 8. Give to Others- Let generosity be your guide during this holiday season. (That does not...