You can't talk about Christmas and not mention A Christmas Carol, the great Christmas classic by British writer Charles Dickens You might have seen any one of the many movie versions of this classic holiday novel, but none of the movies can match the magic of this enchanting tale in print. This is the story of tight-fisted Ebenezer Scrooge, who would rather cancel Christmas than join in the festivities. Scrooge wants to crush the Christmas spirit of everyone around him, including his loyal employee Mr. Cratchet, who has a very sickly son, Tiny Tim. Everyone knows where the story goes from here: Scrooge sees the light after he is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve.It doesn't matter how many times you've seen the movie or even how many times you have read the book, every Christmas calls for a fresh, new read of A Christmas Carol.I know that many people can't envision reading during the Christmas holidays, butholiday reading really can be fun.
It's a way to unwind; a way to stop and think about what the season is all about. Christmas is the time to discover another great classic as well:Jack and Jill by Louisa May Alcott.This American author is best known for writing Little Women, Little Men and Jo's Boys, the semi-autobiographical novels about the March girls.Alcott's series about the March family has sustained its popularity for over a century, but Alcott has other novels that also fall in the realm of classics. Jack and Jill is the story of two, childhood friends who survive a horrific sledding accident. The story takes place around Christmas. There are many great themes about friendship, bravery, loyalty and survival that fit into the Christmas season.
Before the accident, Jack and Jill were inseparable.After the accident, they have to figure out how to recover from their injuries. In the process of recovering, they haveto rely on their own inner strength.They have to fight boredom, loneliness and all of their physical problems. Jack and Jill has always been my favourite Alcott novel. Christmas is about tradition, but it's also about opening your mind to new experiences. That is why it isa good time to discover cookbooks.Check out your favourite book stores for Christmas baking books.Organise aChristmas baking party with your friends.You can buy wicker baskets, gift boxes and fancy glass plates and create awesome Christmas gifts for your family and friends.If you don't have very much money to spend for Christmas presents, you can buy fancy paper plates at a reasonable price. Christmas offers anew opportunity to discover the tradition of Christmas classics and Christmas food.
Debbie Jacob
gieNETWORK Educational Consultant