Day 20...'SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER' Part III "A Hand Me Down Christmas"

Day 20....'Spreading Holiday Cheer'

Day 20....Take some snacks to a local veteran's club for the members. They can have an impromptu afternoon party. 

                   FOR YOU

Day 20....Have a special holiday  beverage after a long busy day.

Veterans clubs always have patrons in the afternoons. Sometimes they get together just to be out and about. Those who frequent these clubs would enjoy having someone bring in some goodies as a surprise. It can be cookies, maybe some pretzels and chips, a pizza or two; anything to let them know you are thinking of them. 

As you unwind make a holiday drink for yourself. You can find holiday drink recipes with or without alcohol on the web.  Whatever you have enjoy. 

Unfortunately there was no animal shelter within ten miles of where I live.  I am fortunate as I know a someone who collects for a shelter.  I was able to give them a few large packages of paper towels and some dog treats.   

I decided to read a holiday themed book.  It was a cute story about a little boy who asked God for his Christmas wish instead of Santa.  All he wanted was father because his had died three years prior.  There were moments of tears for me as I pictured this child asking God to grant his Christmas wish. There were moments of laughter surrounding circumstance in the story. All in all a cute story that reminded me of a Hallmark movie. 

Part III of "A Hand Me Down Christmas" follows.   

                     Part III

"A Hand Me Down Christmas"

JJ and Di explained the extra little jobs for Christmas was a way to earn extra spending money.  They told me they are given a certain amount of money that had been out aside for them so that they could purchase Christmas gifts for everyone in the household. JJ let me know in no uncertain terms they now had to buy something for my mom and me. Of course Di with her sickening sweet voice said I had to buy them something too.  

Everyday when I got home from school for the week and a half before Christmas the house had a nice scent of vanilla and other baking spices. My step- grandmother was an awesome baker. She baked two or more items everyday.  It would be some type of cookies, walnut or poppyseed roll, strudel or some other holiday sweet.  I never seen any of the things and had no idea where they were put; I thought possibly in the basement refrigerator to keep fresh until they made their appearance on Christmas Eve.  

The day arrived for us kids to go shopping for presents for the household. There were seven living in the house so we had six gifts apiece to purchase.  Each of us were given thirty dollars. I never had that much money at one time. I felt like a millionaire.  I found out both my mom and dad had put a few dollars aside beginning in July; this plus the extra money for the holiday chores made it possible for us to have spending cash. 

Buying power of thirty dollars then would be about the equivalent to over two hundred today. (I did quick research).

We were on our way to the Five and Dime to go shopping. I never had done this and I was very excited. I put my money into my purse and thought about all the great gifts I would buy. 

Stay tuned to Part IV