The season of good will is well and truly upon us by now and anyone with children with not be able to avoid the excitement of Christmas at this point.
It is a wonderful time of the year for most of us but do spare a thought for those who are not as fortunate. The theme of our Christmas Art Competition this year was ‘Coming Home For Christmas’ and for many this is what is making Christmas ‘happy’ this year — finally getting to see loved ones that have had to leave Ireland in order to get work.
This year in Kilkenny there are many families who are without their loved ones for so many reasons. There are thousands that are abroad for work, others are serving in the Lebanon with peacekeeping forces, while tragically there are families who are without loved ones this Christmas due to death.
Christmas can be the best time of the year for people but it can also be the worst for others who feel the loss of loved ones more than ever, while others are spending quality times with family,
Christmas is a time to put the difficulties of the past year or so behind us and yes, it has been a difficult year for one and all. People are a lot less well off than they were this time last year, due to budget cuts, wage cuts and higher taxes. These extras take their toll on some much more than others and January’s property taxes are not boding well for lots of people who believe they simply cannot afford it.
Some people will have a happy Christmas this year, thanks to the St Vincent de Paul and other excellent charities in Kilkenny. They do great work delivering hampers and toys to those less well off at Christmas time and if you have donated a toy or some food or a hamper to charity this Christmas — you can wake up on Christmas morning and remember that you have put a smile on a child’s face and on that of a relieved parent.
If you have sent a shoebox to Africa, you can think of a little child who has nothing, receiving a box of goodies — maybe for the first time this Christmas. This is the best gift of all and all it takes is a little effort in the run up to Christmas.
Christmas turkeys and geese will adorn the tables of many this year and although Christmas is family time, think about people in your neighbourhood who may not have family or friends with whom to spend the festivities. An extra person at your Christmas table won’t cost a cent extra, but it might make a world of a difference to someone who is feeling lonely on Christmas Day. Of course the payback is the happiness that you bring to that person’s life — even if just for a short while.
Christmas is a time for giving so be sure to give a little this Christmas, it need not cost anything and often it is a gesture that is the biggest gift of all.
Have a wonderful Christmas and every good wish for health and happiness from all at the Kilkenny Advertiser — we look forward to a prosperous year ahead and to serving our advertisers and our readers into the New Year.
