Thanksgiving is a time of family fellowship, thankfulness, and tradition. Spending time building memories with family and friends should be priority. The thankfulness of the holiday seems to be taken lightly by some as they are already preparing for the Christmas season. A season that should be of similar nature, geared around happiness, giving, and togetherness, now seems to have progressed into a more common time of stress, rushing and shopping. As the years pass, it seems as though festive stress is the commonality that comes with the Christmas season rather than the spreading of cheer.

It is so important to get the perfect gift. Whether you are shopping online or plunging thru the stores, we are all guilty, but lets stop and think. Think back to your childhood. What Christmas memories ring dearest to your heart? Are you remembering sneaking in the wee morning hours to see if Old Saint Nick had remarked your house with a visit? Is it the gifts that you remember, or the actual heart racing excitement of tiptoeing and trying not to wake up your parents while peeking and only finding the glowing lights of the Christmas tree and uneaten cookies after checking for the fourth time with your siblings? Do you picture lining up on your grandparents couch with all of your cousins giggling, hoping that you didn't get socks, and now missing those who got you the socks - or do you really remember what you did open up that year? Do you think of your mom's flour covered apron as she spends hours making a magically sugary smell come from the kitchen? Or convincing Dad to let you keep your Christmas lights on all night long? My point is of all the memories that you recall over the years, which ones stand out to you the most? To me it is the experiences, the joyful memories, the time spent with those who are no longer with us this year, the laughter, the candy making as a family, rough housing and knocking the tree over, hoping mom didn't notice the ornaments out of place and wet carpet and the anxiousness of smelling delicious treats for an entire month. This year, spend time wisely with those that you love. Spend more minutes making memories than stressing and shopping. Give the gift of happiness. Give the gift of reminiscence. Instead of spending so much money and effort on toys that will only be played with for a week, get creative. Give a memory, get tickets to the zoo or a play, books to read, something for outdoors, a bird feeder to watch and learn about, a picnic table, a trip to 4-H or summer camp - something, anything that requires doing more than getting. Doing is what builds life's most memorable experiences. The options are endless when you use your own favorite memories as a building block. Collect memories, not clutter.