With less than a month to go before Christmas Day, everyone is rushing around preparing for the season’s festivities. As always, some are more prepared than others, but few can claim to be as organised as the KD Decoratives’ team. Before most people even thought about digging their Christmas decorations from the loft, KD Decoratives’ team was busy delivering and installing Christmas decorations in shopping centres, town squares, theme parks, cruise ships and restaurants. And not just in the UK. The KD Decoratives’ team has travelled almost around the world, installing their amazing Christmas decoration displays as far afield as Ireland, Germany, Italy and the Caribbean. After two months hard at work, it’s time for KD Decoratives’ team to sit back, relax and enjoy the stunning Christmas Decorations and Christmas displays they’ve created. They certainly deserve a rest. Just days ago, over one hundred people from KD Decoratives were travelling the country, installing awe-inspiring Santa’s grottos, enormous Christmas trees, delightful Christmas rides, literally hundreds of thousands of flashing Christmas lights and creating Christmas wonderlands for visitors to enjoy. It’s a major operation transporting all the finished Christmas decorations and Christmas trees to their final destination. Having been designed and created over the spring and summer months, by KD Decoratives’ talented artists, sculptors and musicians, the Christmas decorations and Christmas trees are carefully packed into lorries ready for delivery. With over 90 shopping centres, town centres, restaurants, pubs, theme parks and cruise ships to service, hundreds of huge lorries were needed to take the Christmas displays from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire to their destination. Yet, it’s thanks to the hard work of the KD Decoratives team that families can now gaze at beautiful Christmas decorations and visit Santa in the most amazing Santa’s grottos. Indeed Christmas decorations are an important part of a company’s marketing plan, which is why KD Decoratives delivers mainly bespoke Christmas decorations, individually tailored to the needs of each customer. There are Christmas animatronics displays to keep children (and adults) amused, Christmas decorations to delight shoppers and external Christmas light displays to attract attention, which all help to encourage visitors and improve the visitor experience during this important trading period. At KD Decoratives, nothing is left to chance. The professional installation teams are all employed by KD Decoratives, meaning that they are experienced and knowledgeable at installing Christmas displays. They also know how to dress and hang the Christmas displays to achieve the desired look. To avoid any disruption to customers and visitors during the day, KD Decoratives works closely with the management team. In most cases, Christmas displays, Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths, Santa’s grottos and the thousands of Christmas lights not to mention the all-singing, all-dancing Christmas animatronics displays – are all installed overnight, when shopping centres, restaurants and theme parks are closed. This year, a number of shopping centres have taken their Christmas decorations to a new dimension. Over the busy Christmas shopping season, visitors will be amazed by the Christmas animatronic grottos, featuring singing reindeer, dancing snowmen and jolly Santas. Some shopping centres and large stores have even installed KD Decoratives’ Christmas rides, with working trains taking customers for festive journeys around the Christmas decorations. While others have gone a step further with 3D interactive Christmas displays and Santa’s grottos that engage and entertain kids and adults alike. Eye-catching Christmas wreaths, thousands of Christmas baubles, sophisticated Christmas drapes and chandeliers have turned many shopping centres, pubs and restaurants into winter wonderlands. Of course, no Christmas display would be complete without a Christmas tree and at KD Decoratives, they’ve delivered hundreds ranging in size from five to 35 feet, which certainly make the shopping centres stand out. Once installed by KD Decoratives, most shopping centres make the most of their Christmas decorations by inviting celebrities to officially turn on the lights. Trafford Centre, invited X-Factor stars and chart-topping group JLS to switch on their lights, which KD Decoratives designed, created and installed for the 11th year running. KD Decoratives supplied and installed the Christmas lights for its home town of Huddersfield, who invited the world famous Star Trek and X-Men actor, Patrick Stewart, to perform the light switching honours. At the same time, singer Mariah Carey was turning on the Westfield White City Christmas lights in London, where KD Decoratives created a magical, and enormous, ice palace as the Santa’s grotto. Although KD Decoratives will still be busy with cleaning Christmas displays, general maintenance and in a few weeks time, the dismantling process, things will quieten down for a couple of weeks. But then in January it’s back to the drawing board as the ideas and innovation start again to make sure that Christmas 2010 will once again turn fantasy into reality. . .

Booking a cruise is a really magical experience. You may feel that the amusement park vacations are just too boring. Or, you may be tired of exploring the same old cities and locations. Instead, why not take a cruise? There are plenty of things to do and to see on these cruises. Most of the time, you will be unlimited in where you want to go and the things that you would like to enjoy. But, one thing that you will need to decide about the cruise is the right time for you to go on it. Let’s face it, not everyone gets a choice as to when they can take their vacations. Many have to worry about school schedules and work ones as well. But, the more options that you have in the times that you can travel, the better your options are going to be. There are plenty of them too. But, to break it down, we’ll put it quite simply as traveling in the off season, which is generally the winter months, or traveling in the travel season which includes summer and holidays from school. Off Season Travel Versus In SeasonThere are many benefits to each of these choices. Really, it is up to you to decide which the right choice for our needs is. But, if you do have the options to consider, then look at what is available. First in the season of travel, you usually can find more people to travel with. You can get your group together and go as a family which can help you to get lower rates. You can also find a wide range of options in where to travel as most cruises run during this time period. But, if you travel in the off season, you may be able to save quite a bit of money. Many cruise lines will offer outstanding packages for this time period. You usually do not need as much time to book these trips either. You can usually find the right location to go to within a small amount of time. And, there are fewer crowds as well. Of course, there may be a limit to the locations that you travel to due to winter weather, but you may find that some areas, like the tropics are more enjoyable in slightly cooler weather. With all of that said, you need to carefully consider the options that you have. Finding the right deal and the right cruise is also important to you. Yet, with the world as your destination, you may be able to find just what you would like to have.

Is this the best time to get cruise ship jobs?

Has the idea of working on a cruise ship been in the back of your mind off and on for some time now? Have you ever wondered how you would go about getting such a job? And since you don’t have any experience working in the industry, when would be the best time to get hired?

It’s important to consider whether or not these types of jobs are suitable for you, before discussing when the best time is to get hired.

Let’s break the process of getting a job on a cruise ship down into the three major parts – Dream, Plan and Make it Happen.

DREAM

Imagine yourself working on a luxury cruise ship, visiting exciting ports, soaking up the warm sun and enjoying the camaraderie that comes when you’re working together with people who are full of life and looking for adventure.

PLAN

The most important part of planning is to just make a decision to do it. You can plan until all of the cruise ship jobs are completely filled or you can decide to go grab one now before it’s too late.

There are people out there who are making good money, seeing exotic parts of the world and living their dream. They didn’t have any experience when they started and they got hired. How did they do it? It’s simple. They took action.

After reading this far, it’s pretty evident that you’re probably keen and ready to start working on cruise ships. You’re ready to take the next step and that is to . . .

MAKE IT HAPPEN

To make it happen all you have to do is to learn what characteristics the hiring managers are looking for, learn how to fill out applications, how to give the right answers to the interview questions and where to send your applications. That’s all there is to it.

Take these steps and you will soon be enjoying life with your dream cruise ship job.

Back to the question of when is the best time to get cruise ship jobs

The time between October and early December is one of the best times to get cruise ship jobs because most ships are usually fully booked during the Christmas season on up until March and they need more staff.

On top of that, the Christmas season is the time of year when a lot of the regular staff wants to take off and be at home with their families. The causes the industry to be short staffed right at the time when it needs more people on board.

This provides the perfect moment to land a job on a cruise ship. Act now any you can have your dream cruise ship job locked up in short order.

Were having a Family get-together on the Carnival Legend for christmas this year.
We have a total of 5 rooms. (10 adults, and 9 kids).
I will be flying in on Saturday morning and going to Busch Gardens later that day with my 3 kids (ages 9, 10, and 14)

My questions are:
1) what should we pack for the trip?
2) what should we bring on the plane? I heard theres not much room in the cabins, and I dont want things just sitting around not being used the whole week.
3) I heard the cabins are small, but exactly how small are they? were staying in a balcony room.
4) what christmas activities do they do? how are the kids groups/teen clubs?
5) is Busch Gardens worth the money or should we just find something else to do?
6) what will the temperature be like?
7) Were all bring one or two presents for each person (especially the kids) to open up christmas morning. I dont want my kids to see them, any advice on how to bring it on the ship and hide it?

Sorry for all the questions– im a first-time cruiser!

I have a family of 5. My kids are 11,13, and 16. We’ve never been on a cruise before… Any advice?

As days go by, life is becoming more and more frenzied compared to the kind of life people lived with before. Families are frequently very busy doing something and family fun time is becoming rarer by the minute. This is in no way more evident than at Christmas time. During Christmas everyone wants to experience magic and feel special, but many of us think that Christmas has become a marketable value – focusing more on commercialism – and becoming more and more impersonal each year. Instead of spending quality time with their children, parents tend to make up for their lack of time by just solely giving material stuff, thinking that kids will understand their absence. How should we make up for the lost time then? The answer, though, is so easy that many families are taken aback. Inspiring Christmas stories can help you out in bringing back the enchantment of an old-fashioned Christmas, but with a contemporary twist.
Here are the things that may just want to consider:
1) Quick and easy to read inspiring Christmas stories for children and adults can be read together at any time of the day. You won’t have to reorganize your entire schedule for this Christmas enchantment – all you need are little stolen seconds here and there.
2) Inspiring Christmas stories for children as well as adults allow you to form special Christmas practice that you can start for your family. Several cultures in different places read the story of Christmas audibly during the holidays. Reading a much loved inspiring Christmas stories for children and adults collectively can be an immense way to build up special holiday customs for your own family.
3) Gathering together to read Christmas stories with the whole family is about spending quality time together and without spending a lot of money. In fact, these Christmas stories are very cost-effective, and wouldn’t take a big chunk of money out from your savings account, regardless of how much your holiday budget is this Christmas season!
4) Christmas stories for children and adults can lend a hand in teaching your family what Christmas time is all about. These stories have contemporary settings and story twists which are stimulating and enjoyable. Simultaneously, they talk about the miracle and unity that Christmas should stand for without giving a lecture.
5) Reading these Inspiring Christmas stories can create treasured memories for the whole family. Make some hot cocoa and dish up several cookies for your listeners while reading the stories aloud to them. Take turns in reading Christmas stories out loud, and put on some subtle Christmas songs in the background. It can be a perfect way to set up a stage for a marvelous Christmas celebration.
The art of reading and the magic of Christmas, when combined together make a fantastic way to commemorate this most exciting time of the year. This will also be a wonderful opportunities for parents who are always busy to make some time for their children. Get some inspirational Christmas stories today and make a custom that the whole family will surely be fond of and cherish for all time and coming years ahead.

Is your work and/or home life become a monotonous, boring existence? Is there too much of the month left over after you’ve depleted your paycheck? If you answered yes to either of these questions, a Disney cruise line job may be the refreshing change you need. Imagine waking up each day at a new beach or resort atmosphere, always having plenty of cash to enjoy all the activities you want to do, like jet skiing, hiking, beach going, swimming with dolphins, and much more.

If a cruise line job sounds exciting to you, join the crowd, there are thousands like you. But you can literally “bypass” all of the competition if you know the secret tricks of the trade. Here are a few of the characteristics cruise lines are looking for while considering job applicants:

Are you reliable? – Reliability is a must for cruise line recruiters. They don’t want you jumping ship if your job on board gets a little old. It’s very tough for a ship to replace someone in another destination.

Are you presentable? – This is also extremely important, especially if you will be interfacing passengers on a regular basis. Cruise lines can be compared to 5 star hotels in a sense, so professionalism and good presentation is imperative

Are you enthusiastic? – Cruise ship jobs require enthusiasm, especially since the jobs on board are very different than those on land. It’s possible you could be working more varied hours than you would on a 9 – 5, so you can’t be cranky when this is the case.

Are you cheerful? – Cruise ship passengers paid a lot of money for their trip, and are vacationing, so they don’t want to deal with unhappy people. It’s very important that crew members maintain a cheerful demeanor when on the job.

These tips may seem like the typical “job requirements”, but these days, fewer and fewer people meet these basic requirements, so if you continually exude these traits, you’ll have the upper hand on the competition.

CHRISTMAS? A season of memories of Eva Fry
Ecclesiastes 3:1
To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven:
  Christmas is one of the happiest seasons of our lives. We gathered the family together, where you create special traditions and many memories of love of love. We all have special memories of Christmas? Past S. Let me share with you some of my memories.
Christmas has changed for me over the years. I am a grandmother and enjoy
Christmas Special? s with my older children and their families. I see create lasting memories for their children. I remember those happy times when my children were still beautiful home with us and Christmas? S we have
Together. How I miss those special moments.
My song? Christmas Wish? says that what is in my heart.
If I could have one wish for Christmas, IA? D en el tiempo,
When our children were small and have been home with us.
Wea? D decorate the house with the lights, put the Christmas tree,
Cookies, sing Christmas songs in the neighborhood.
Make gifts for the more we love, wrap them well,
Laugh, kiss and hug a lot, WEA? D so fun to have.
IA? D Read the story of Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem
Wea in the manger? D attention was the Savior in
WEA Eve? D keep it close, our hearts filled with love
Thank you for our family, our gift from God
Wea? D abdomen safely in bed, fill the stockings full
Peek into our girls to sleep, angels without wings.
Christmas Morna eyes shine? when the father turned on the lights,
Santa left lots of presents, cookies and milk is gone.
Opening gifts was the best of all; plots gutted
Find your own special desire, leaping up and down.
IA? D cook the turkey, as it plays with the toys they have,
Wea? D party together in food and love, is a day in heaven.
The memories of those special days, years ago,
It seems like yesterday, life was full of joy.
If I could have one wish for Christmas, IA? D in time
When our children were small and have been home with us.
Not only Christmas brings back memories of my children, but also valuable
memories or my dear mother, who died on 18 October 2002. Was
86 years and life was not easy for her, but did everything possible to make our lives
Happy. The most favorite memories of my mother were wonderful
Christmas? S has created for my brother, sister and me She always Christmas
beautiful and exciting, despite our alcoholic father who has wreaked havoc with our
Life, every time he got drunk, especially at Christmas time.
My mother seemed to have the mission to make things right for us every Christmas.
Each year will open a paid account Zellers, to buy gifts for us. My
the father gave the money. We were poor, because of his addiction. We bought
the necessary things like socks and underwear, but always something special. I
I remember the red leather folder he gave me when he was 10. We the Children
I did not know then, but for the rest of his years of mother has paid its bill of loading
Cash could withdraw money from their food. Each season has begun
earlier with another charge on my account of Christmas.
  Mom would not let us see the first tree on Christmas morning, a family tradition.
My children now have their own tree of at least two weeks before Christmas. But yet when I was young the first view of the structure was glorious.
One Christmas Eve, when my father was drunk, took a Christmas tree from a lot,
, Which had closed at night, and brought it home, dragging behind him. We
lived in Canada and the tree has been frozen. When I took her home to
thaw, my mother was aware of why no one had bought. The
had only a few tree branches. My mother sent him back to another tree, which
was also naked, bound so that the two together.
Mom would stay up all night decorating the tree with care and wrap gifts.
Always had a knack of doing things perfectly. He made a special effort to
Choose the most beautiful card I could afford and all had a brilliant gift
ribbon and bow. She is dedicated to bringing excitement to our eyes,
On Christmas morning, when he turned on the lights in our beautiful tree, load
with many gifts from Santa Claus. His reward came when he saw that the pleasure we
as he had broken all the treasure.
Often, our father was too hung over from being with us to open gifts and later
the head of day to be with their friends, but our mother did
Christmas was special. It was always Grandma and grandpaâ? House S of a
turkey feast with all our relatives.
This Christmas I am especially grateful to my loving mother who sacrificed for
both for his family and created memories and traditions of Christmas, I
be transferred to my grandchildren. I will miss her greatly.
In all our lives, we have special memories of Christmas and I have another
  never forget.
I call it? The miracle of pineapples. â?
Shortly before Christmas, many years ago, five years my grandson, Jesse, and I
Julian was in California, where my husband was doing work.
As we wonder beneath the spectacular saw him lying on the pineapple
They were big and magnificent. My grandson loved and wanted
Take your 'house, so we are.
I wondered what we could create with them. As I had one and turned it over, I realized it looked like a perfect Christmas tree, only brown. I found my
Christmas snow and sprayed white. Before our eyes became mud
in a tree, covered by a blanket of snow. Therefore decided to decorate. I
When it was his snow blocked. The
jewel cones covered Christmas trees.
Jesse and I enjoyed a lot of trees that encouraged us to my mother,
grandmother to participate, and we spent an afternoon to make a good
trees. What wonderful memories I have of my mother and nephew of work
and the creation of the treasures of colors. I took a picture with my heart.
We had so many trees and wondered what to do with them. We made some recommendations to
family members and recruited them to go Christmas caroling
neighborhood. I took another picture with my heart, the singing of a Jesse? Away in a Manger? and then proudly and then give your precious tree of a neighbor smiling.
I still had to give the trees and wondered what to do with them. Years I taught a 16-year-old Sunday school class at my church. I wondered if I could combine my children and trees in a service project that allows the spirit of Christmas to these young people. There was a high level of home care throughout our church. He asked if I would take my children to sing Christmas carols to their homes and distribution of remaining Christmas trees. The house gave me their approval and appreciation. When I presented my idea to my students that I was not prepared for their response. Some of them were not excited. In fact, I think, many of them were just embarrassed to sing in front of him. But I assured them it would be a nice thing to do and each armed with a tree, children. We set our mission.
When we entered the first room of the nursing home, my youth was a
bit 'timid, but he did sing a line from a weak? Silent Night ????, except for a big child who
was in the back of the room and not sing. One of them gave up his tree
for the patient and are grateful to the left.
As we worked our way from room to room, the boys gradually heated
to see the smiles and tears on the faces of the dear old souls, except
for children in the back. His singing became stronger and more attuned and
I could not? expect to run into the next room. I always remember the 95 year old man
who had been bedridden for several years, the acceptance of your Christmas tree
  by a group of young enthusiasts. I took another photo.
When he had given to young trees have been satisfied and happy. They
After the spirit of Christmas, and I didnâ? I want to go. Having known the joy of giving
patients.
Finally we went to the door. On the way we met a lady sitting in a sad
corridor in his wheelchair. When he saw the noisy, laughing teenagers a
toothless smile on her face and arms with faint hope
give them a hug. My teenage splendid form a line and each
leaned over and give him a big hug. Another photo!
When we got outside the building, we discovered that the boy, who had
stay in the back of each room and not singing, was not. Returned
building to find him and that was when I made the most memorable
photos, with my heart. There in the hallway was large muscles, their
knees in the arms of the beloved 100-year-old lady. He was strong, but
beaten gentle arms around her small frail body. Two tears
their faces. In his lap was the Christmas tree brought pineapple
throughout the house and went to be ashamed.
Years that love came in the form of a cone tree.
We all have much to be thankful for how to create Christmas memories and
traditions within our families as happy as all of us.
This Christmas we have more reasons to seek the good things in life and be
grateful for everything we've been blessed with, in spite of world events. We
I remember that Christmas is a time of giving and gratitude.
I wrote a song to help encourage all of us and help us understand what we can do
this Christmas to make a difference in our world.
What can I do to help?
Theree? S much sadness and pain. What can I do to help?
Theree? S a lot of anger and hatred. What can I do to help?
I appreciate my freedom in this country that I love.
I bring comfort to someone. What I can do everything it should.
Theree? S is so much evil and confusion. What can I do to help?
Theree? S a lot of pain and worry. What can I do to help?
I love my brother, I can do a kind gesture.
I care for another, I get on my knees.
Theree? S much sadness and pain. What can I do to help?
Theree? S a lot of anger and hatred? What can I do to help?
I fight evil and suffering that leads
I always enjoy? S will, peace can come to our world,
Goda can always do? S is for peace can come to our world.
Thanks for letting me share my special memories of the happiest of my season
life. I pray that everyone will remember the reason for our Christmas and do
We can bring peace and happiness to our families and our world.
We enjoy our traditions and be thankful for this Christmas, a time of
Regards.

CHRISTMAS TIME â?? A SEASON OF MEMORIES By Eva Fry

Ecclesiastes 3:1

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Christmas is one of the happiest seasons of our life. It gathers us together as families, where we create special loving traditions and so many loving memories. We all have special remembrances of Christmasâ??s past. I would like to share with you some of my memories.

Christmas has changed for me through the years. I am a grandma now and enjoy

special Christmasâ??s with my grown children and their families. I watch them create lasting memories for their little ones. I am reminded of those happy times when my precious children were still home with us and of the Christmasâ??s we had

Together. How I miss those special times.

My song â??Christmas Wishâ? says what is in my heart.

If I could have one Christmas wish, Iâ??d go back in time,

When our children all were young and they were home with us.

Weâ??d decorate the house with lights, put up the Christmas tree,

Bake cookies; sing Christmas carols in the neighborhood.

Make gifts for the ones we love; wrap them really nice,

Laugh, kiss and hug a lot, weâ??d have so much fun.

Iâ??d read the story of Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem

In the manger weâ??d carefully lay the Savior in.

Christmas Eve weâ??d hold them tight, our hearts filled with love

Give thanks for our family, our special gift from God.

Weâ??d tuck them safely into bed, fill the stockings full,

Peek in at our sleeping babes; angels without wings.

Eyes would sparkle Christmas mornâ?? when Dad turned on the lights,

Santa left so many gifts; cookies and milk were gone.

Opening gifts was the best of all; parcels ripped apart,

Finding their special wish, jumping up and down.

Iâ??d bake the turkey as they played with the toys they got,

Weâ??d feast together on food and love, what a heavenly day.

The memories of those special days many years ago

Seem like only yesterday; life was filled with joy.

If I could have one Christmas wish, Iâ??d go back in time,

When our children all were young and they were home with us.

Not only does Christmas bring back memories of my precious children but also

memories or my dear mother who passed away October 18, 2002. She was

86 years old and life had not been easy for but she did her best to make our lives

Happy. The most favorite memories of my mother were the wonderful

Christmasâ??s she created for my brother, sister and I. She always made Christmas

beautiful and exciting, in spite of our alcoholic father who played havoc with our

Lives, whenever he got drunk, especially at Christmas time.

My mother seemed to have a mission to make things right for us each Christmas.

Every year she would open a charge account at Zellers, to buy us gifts. My

father gave her no money. We were poor because of his addiction. She bought us

needed things like socks and underwear but always something special. I

remember the red leather loose-leaf binder she gave me when I was 10. We kids

did not know it then, but for the rest of the year mom paid off her charge account

with cash she could squeeze from her food money. Each new season she started

over with another Christmas charge account.

Mom did not let us see the tree before Christmas morning, an old family tradition.

My kids now have their tree up at least two weeks before Christmas. But never the less, when I was young the first viewing of the tree was glorious.

One Christmas Eve, when my dad was drunk, he took a Christmas tree from a lot,

which had closed for the night, and hauled it home, dragging it behind him. We

lived in Canada and the tree was frozen. When he brought it into our house to

thaw it out; my mother was made aware of why no one had purchased it. The

tree had only a few branches. My mother sent him back for another tree, which

was equally as bare, so they tied the two together.

Mom would stay up all night carefully decorating the tree and wrapping our gifts.

She always had a knack of doing things perfectly. She made a special effort to

choose the most beautiful paper she could afford and each gift had a bright

ribbon and bow. She was dedicated to bringing excitement to our eyes,

Christmas morning, when she turned on the lights to our gorgeous tree, laden

with so many gifts from Santa. Her reward came when she saw the enjoyment we

had as we ripped open each treasure.

Often our father was too hung over to get up with us to open gifts and would later

head out the day to be with his buddies but our mother made sure out

Christmas was special. We always went to grandma and grandpaâ??s house for a

turkey feast with all our relatives.

This Christmas I am especially grateful for my loving mother who sacrificed so

much for her family and created Christmas memories and traditions, which I see

being passed down to my grandchildren. I will miss her dearly.

In all of our own lives we have special Christmas memories and I have one more

which I will never forget.

I call it â??The Miracle of the Pinecones. â?

Just before Christmas, several years ago, my five-year-old grandson, Jesse, and I

were in Julian California where my husband was completing a job.

As we wondered below the spectacular pine trees we saw pinecones lying on the

They were large and magnificent. My grandson loved them and wanted to

Take some home, so we gathered them up.

I wondered what we could create with them. As I held one up and turned it upside down, I realized it looked like a perfect Christmas tree, only brown. I found my

Christmas snow and sprayed it white. Right before our eyes the pinecone turned

into a tree, covered with a blanket of snow. We then decided to decorate it. I

When we touched them to the snow they stuck. The

pinecones became jewel covered Christmas trees.

Jesse and I had so much fun making trees that we encouraged my mother, his

great-grandmother to get involved and we spent an afternoon making beautiful

trees. What a wonderful memory I have of my mother and grandson working

together creating multicolored treasures. I took a picture with my heart.

We had so many trees and wondered what to do with them all. We gave some to

family members and recruited them to go Christmas caroling in the

neighborhood. I took another picture with my heart, of little Jesse singing â??Away in a Mangerâ?? and then and then proudly giving his precious tree to a smiling neighbor.

We still had trees to give and I wondered what to do with them. That year I taught the 16-year-old Sunday school class at my church. I wondered if I could combine my teenagers and the trees into a service project that would bring the spirit of Christmas to these young people. There was a senior care home across from our Church. I inquired if they would allow me to bring my teenagers in to sing Christmas carols to their residences and distribute the remaining Christmas trees. The home gave me their approval and thanks. When I presented my idea to my students I was not prepared for their response. Some of them were not excited about the idea. Actually, I think, many of them were just embarrassed to sing in front of each other. But I assured them it would be a nice thing to do and armed each one with a tree, the boys as well as the girls. We set out on our mission.

When we stepped into the first room of the care home, my young people were a

little timid but did sing a weak verse of â??Silent Nightâ?, except for one big boy who

stood in the back of the room and would not sing. One of them handed their tree

to the grateful patient and we left.

As we worked our way from room to room the teenagers gradually warmed up,

when they saw the smiles and tears on the faces of those dear old souls, except

for the boy in the back. Their singing got louder and more in tune and they

couldnâ??t wait to rush to the next room. I will always remember the 95-year old man,

who had been confined to bed for several years, accepting his Christmas tree

from a group of excited teenagers. I took another picture.

When we had given out the trees the young people were satisfied and happy. They

felt the Christmas spirit and didnâ??t want to leave. They knew the joy they had given

the patients.

We finally headed for the door. Along the way we met a sad little lady sitting in the

hallway in her wheelchair. When she spotted those noisy, laughing teenagers a

smile came across her toothless face and she held up her feeble arms hoping to

give them a hug. My wonderful teenagers formed a line and each one of them

bent down and give her a big hug. Another picture!

When we got outside the building, we discovered that the teenage boy, who had

stayed in the back of each room and would not sing, was missing. I went back

into the building to find him and it was then that I took the most memorable

picture, with my heart. There, in the hallway, was the big muscular boy, on his

knees, in the arms of that dear little 100-year-old lady. He had his strong, but

gentle arms rapped around her frail little body. Tears were streaming down both

their faces. On her lap was the pinecone Christmas tree he had carried

throughout the home and had been too embarrassed to give.

That year love came in the form of a pinecone tree.

We all have so much to be grateful for as we create Christmas memories and

traditions within our families How blest we all are.

This Christmas we have more reasons to look for the good things of life and be

thankful for all we are blessed with, in spite of events of the world. We must

remember that Christmas is a season of giving and of gratefulness.

I wrote a song to help encourage all of us and help us know what we can do

this Christmas to make a difference in our world.

What Can I Do To Help?

Thereâ??s so much sadness and so much pain. What can I do to help?

Thereâ??s so much anger and hatred. What can I do to help?

I can cherish my freedom, in this country I love.

I can bring comfort to someone. I can do all that I should.

Thereâ??s so much hurt and confusion. What can I do to help?

Thereâ??s so much sorrow and worry. What can I do to help?

I can love my brother; I can do a kind deed.

I can care for another; I can get down on my knees.

Thereâ??s so much sadness and so much pain. What can I do to help?

Thereâ??s so much anger and hatred? What can I do to help?

I can fight against evil and the suffering it brings

I can always to Godâ??s will, so peace can come to our world

I can always do Godâ??s will so peace can come to our world.

Thank you for letting me share my special memories of the happiest season of my

life. I pray we will all remember the reason for our Christmas Season and do all

We can to bring peace and happiness to our families and to our world.

We can enjoy our own traditions and be grateful for this Christmas, a season of

Memories.

Carnival is my favorite they are a lot of fun and also the cheapest cruise line. They have lots of activities for adults and children. I have been on other Cruise’s but Carnival is the funnest and the cheapest makes since to me