gift Archives - Dennis Conrad Author

A Different Kind of Christmas

Remember the good old days when everything came together for Christmas.

All seemed to fall into place including the preparation, decorations, friends, family, and food. The celebrations made for a perfect holiday.

This year will not be the same. Whether it is because of the pandemic, or a family member with chronic illness, special needs, or dementia, this Christmas season will not replicate the fond memories of the past.

It is time to create new memories.

If this is going to be a different kind of Christmas, why not make the best of it. Adjust expectations and cater to your loved one’s needs.

One idea is to stretch out the season over a number of days. Instead of everything happening on Christmas day, schedule several more manageable events and activities like the following:

Tree Shopping Decorate the Tree

Family Visits Gift Exchange

Go See Christmas Lights Bake Christmas Cookies

Watch a Holiday Movie Enjoy Hot Coco

Listen to Christmas Music Sing Christmas Carols

Send Christmas Cards Go Christmas Shopping

Have a Special Dinner Enjoy a Pizza Lunch

Attend a Church Service Watch a Christmas Special

As things become more hectic, please be flexible. Give yourself grace. Take time to enjoy the season for what it truly is, the celebrations of the birth of Jesus Christ. Enjoy!

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

Flowers for My Wife: A Family Tradition

This is the story of the origin and continuation of a family tradition.

On our wedding day, June 23, 1990, Diane and I received many gifts. The night of our wedding, we were off on our honeymoon, so Diane’s sister, Lynette, took our unwrapped gifts to her apartment. When we returned a little over a week later, we opened our presents. To our delight, we received two beautifully cut-glass vases.

For nearly three decades, I have kept the tradition alive with a constant supply of roses with baby’s breath, lilies, sunflowers, carnations, and more.

The colorful flowers are a constant reminder of our love and commitment.

To share the tradition, we have given many engraved vases as gifts for weddings and graduations.

A few years ago, we attended an outdoor wedding. I slipped the groom fifty dollars and told him to be sure to buy his new bride flowers. I hope he smiled when he opened our gift.

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.