Caring For Christmas

For most of us, Christmas is the best time of the year. It’s a time to get together with family and friends, eat till we can eat no more, exchange gifts, and other fun Christmas traditions. However, there are some who dread Christmas.

Not because they’re a grinch or scrooge about it but because they lost a loved one. Perhaps Christmas will be rough this year because they are away from family and friends and can’t afford to go visit for the holidays. With that in mind, here are a few ways you can be caring for Christmas.

Donations

Every year there are opportunities to donate to those in need. There is the shoe box mission that many people participate in every year. There are food hampers that are collected and brought to families who can’t afford to eat till they can eat no more. Right here in Steinbach is a group that throws Christmas parties for at-risk youth. No matter where you decide to help out, you can make a difference by caring for others this Christmas. This is also a great opportunity to teach your children that Christmas is so much more than how many presents there are under the tree.

Include Others

Maybe you know someone who will be spending Christmas alone. Why not include them in some way. Sure, we may not want to bring non-family to a family gathering, but maybe host a special supper and include them in that. Bring them a meal, or a gift. Spend some time with them. Whatever it may look like, let them know that they are loved and that they matter. And if your family is the kind that would take someone in to join in with the family festivities, do that. If you have family out of town that you can’t see this year for the holidays, give them a call to let them know you’re thinking of them.

Start a Tradition

Traditions can be more than food and presents. Some people choose to go to a Christmas service. There are so many things you can turn into tradition. Perhaps you want to have a family baking day. What about a Christmas movie night? Maybe it’s Christmas morning breakfast, where you make something special as a family before opening up presents. There are light shows, Christmas concerts, and so much more. Or make it silly and have a neighbourhood snowball fight, or snowman building contest. If we want to continue on the caring track, shovel the neighbours driveway, or deliver Christmas cookies. Go Christmas carolling. The options really are limitless, and you know your family best. Remember, it doesn’t always have to be about the presents. It should be about family.

We Care for Christmas

For the past few years, we at Roadhouse 52 Inn & Suites have started our own tradition; Christmas Day Dinner. We often have guests who come to stay at the hotel because they have nowhere else to go for the holidays. So, we stepped up. On Christmas Day, any guests staying with us get a homemade Christmas Dinner. During the pandemic we served it in takeout containers for them to take to their rooms. Now we want to step up our game again. We will be hosting a “Family Dinner” for our guests. They can come and eat with others staying in the hotel, if they choose to. So, if you don’t have a place to go, or will be alone this Christmas, come spend Christmas with us. No one should be alone at Christmas.