CHRISTMAS ON A BUDGET By Liz Gilbert I love Christmas time. I love Christmas trees, Christmas music, and decorations. I love going to Christmas Eve mass and hearing the Nativity Story. I loved it when my parents would read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to us, and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", and "The Polar Express." All such beautiful stories that just reinforced the true meaning of Christmas for me. And I love giving presents. Maybe it's the shopaholic in me, but there is something so satisfying about finding the perfect gift for someone, seeing them open it, and their eyes light up. I love that feeling of making someone so happy. It is one of the greatest pleasures of my life. When I was little, I had a great aunt that used to send us the best Christmas treats every year. We always looked forward to her fudge, gingerbread cookies, and especially her rum balls (she always made non-alcoholic ones for my brother and I). This year, I thought about my aunt's gift to us every year in a new light. Let's be honest, times are tough, and I'm seriously worried about this Christmas, like many other Americans out there. I want to show my friends and family I care, that they are important to me, without breaking the bank. So I have a plan. I'm going down to the local dollar store, and buying up all the holiday tins and a package of bows. Then I can go get some holiday cookie cutters and any of the other ingredients that I'll need to make some Christmas treats. I found this really helpful website that has a bunch of Christmas treats recipes. www.best-christmas-recipes-ever.com And I am ready to make Christmas treats for my friends, coworkers, and family. As a test, I made a batch of fudge the other day, and my God it was one of the best things I have ever tasted in my life! I can't wait to make little Gingerbread Santa's and that rum ball recipe sounds delicious. I know I'm going to have a lot of fun making these treats. So, just because I can't afford to spend a lot of money on my friends and family this year doesn't mean that they won't know how much I love them. The best gifts come from the heart, and they'll know I've put my heart and soul into the baking of their Christmas treats. If you're like me this Christmas, wondering how you're going to give gifts to everyone that deserves them in your life, think about baking their gifts. Who wouldn't love a box of fudge or chocolate cookies? Just show them that they are loved, and everything will be okay. After all, the Grinch stole everything from Whoville, their presents, their decorations, and even their food and they still were happy on Christmas morning. The true magic of Christmas is love. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
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