Comments on: The Surprise Gift

By: MemeGRL

MemeGRL — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 21:04:23 +0000

Neat poem.

This year, on the first Saturday “sleep-in” after soccer season ended, my husband and I were awakened by our oldest, asking questions about something he found in the basement. Where ALL the Christmas presents are stored.

WHY, we asked, was he in the basement at the hour of 8:15 on a November morning?

“I wanted to decorate for Thanksgiving,” he said.

Rrrright.

By: D.K.Milgrim-Heath

D.K.Milgrim-Heath — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 13:30:11 +0000

The Ancient Story Of The Festival Of Lights
By D.K. Milgrim-Heath ©2008-2010
On this ancient important festival of lights-
We hear about the Maccabee family’s heroic fights-
Towards saving our people on these nights.
Miracles of the eight day candles lit that shined so bright-
The miracles of these candles shining on each night-
Continue to give strength and hope yearly with all renewed might.
Realizing the reasons how this really affects Jewish history-
From that first time since and never a forgotten memory-
That makes all of us proud and Jewish you –including me

Why Adults Can Love Chanukah Too And I still Do
By D.K. Milgrim-Heath©2010
Why adults can love Chanukah too and I still do-
By bringing back our warmest childhood memories so true.
Growing with the different Chanukah word spellings-
That ancient biblical Maccabee story never changes even with retellings.
Families/friends get together in memories of love and cheer-
Is that not a joyful reason enough to make this holiday sincere?
Remembering my childhood with dreidels and Chanukah songs-
That will hum in my song memories all my life long.
Of course there are new tunes presently we sing joyfully by song-
That each children about this holiday much more of everything.
My favorite written in 1988 “Light One Candle (Don’t let the Lights Go Out)” I sing-
Videos of the Chanukah experience also make one love our blessed holiday-
Go to You Tube with curiosity find them and let them play!
Who can forget our beautiful shining menorahs with their glorious glows?
Each year one remembers that poignantly and it really shows.
Playing the dreidel game as in of yesteryear joyfully with sound-
Are you its winner as its Hebrew letter spin and stop around and around?
Still being sold yearly is the annual ‘Chanukah gelt’-
That delicious thought making child’s sweet taste buds felt!
Memories of my three children and I together once small now grown-
Do never leave as those cherished Chanukah memories are forever my own.

Happy Holidays and May World Peace Reign

By: Todd

Todd — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:09:47 +0000

I always wanted to be surprised and never snooped. Now we exchange names amongst adult siblings and provide “wish lists” so very little surprise and not nearly as much fun! The response is “oh, they got the gift I sent them a link on”.

By: kim s

kim s — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:18:34 +0000

I’ve always been the anti-snooper. I hated the idea of even stumbling upon something I was getting for Christmas.

By: Elizabeth@LiP

Elizabeth@LiP — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 17:44:22 +0000

Great post! One year i was (innocently) shaking gifts under the Christmas tree and my hand literally went through the package into the globe I wanted (total dork I know). I hastily repaired the package, stashed it in the far corner at the back of the tree, and prayed to god my parents wouldnt catch on. It was the first gift I opened Xmas morning and it was hard to act surprised.

By: Celina

Celina — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:26:46 +0000

This is so true! My husband once snooped when he was little and was so ridden with guild he NEVER did it again. I hope you have a Happy Hanukkah!

By: Jeane

Jeane — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:50:25 +0000

One year, we were roadtripping from Montreal to Charlottesville for Chanukah’s duration. Gabriel was about 6 then (18 next month). I told him that with us being in transit, he and his older sister wouldn’t get gifts that year. She knew I was lying, but played along. When he called me on the bags of wrapped gifts in the basement, I told him they were for the friends and family we’d be visiting, and we didn’t have room in the car for more. He believed me, until he got his first gift. I still remember the look of joy and relief on his face. Chase will learn.

The beauty of early Chanukah is that we get to sit back and relax while the Christmas-celebrating public stresses themselves into a shopping frenzy for the next 24 days. Chag sameach.