Time for holiday decorations, family gatherings and Hallmark movies

I’ve heard a few friends say now that we’ve had a snowfall they can start shopping for Christmas and put up their tree and other decorations. When my children were little, I used to buy for Christmas year round except for any clothes I might get them. That was usually a November or December purchase. It seemed that everyone of them would have their greatest growth spurt from September to December.

As for decorating, my late husband and I tried to put up outside lights right after Halloween, do a quick light check to ensure all lights worked but didn’t turn them on until the night after Thanksgiving. In the meantime, I decorated the inside of the house to have it ready for lighting the same time. Most years I put up 12 trees — one in every room. Now, that there is just me, I hang wreaths on the front and back doors, a centerpiece on the kitchen table and decorate a tabletop tree.

But, the priority for most families this week is preparing for their annual Thanksgiving dinner. Moms/wives are checking their pantries to make sure they have all supplies to cook the ham, turkey, sweet potato casserole, baked corn, cranberries, green bean casserole, stuffing, yeast rolls, fruit salad, pumpkin pie and bars and any other favorite foods of the family.

Most families will gather on Thursday to celebrate and watch football games. Some will gather Saturday or Sunday next weekend and perhaps some today. Whenever and wherever you gather, enjoy your time with family.

My cousin, who is also alone, invited me to her son’s for a celebration yesterday that included friends and some family. I accepted the invitation providing they had a television so I could watch the Ohio State/ Maryland game. As I write this on Tuesday, they assured me they were working on making this possible as we were meeting in the fellowship hall of their church.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, it doesn’t necessarily have to be celebrated the fourth Thursday of November. As it is touted as a day of thanks for blessings, any day can be Thanksgiving. Do you have or know an elderly person who is alone? Take a plate of food to share with them. It will make their day.

I have to admit I started watching the Hallmark Countdown to Christmas movies this week. I figured it is cold and snowy so no better time to relax and binge watching movies.

I have a friend who had knee replacement surgery three weeks ago today, then went to a nursing facility for two weeks rehab. On the day before she was to be released, she tested positive for COVID-19. She wasn’t the only one in the facility to test positive. More than 60 percent did and the entire facility went on lockdown. It seems like this has become a weekly piece of advice on my part, but this disease is not going away anytime soon. Please practice good hygiene, disinfect countertops, door knobs — anything that would be touched by many and wear a mask. Be safe.

Let me leave you with this quotation by Anne Frank: “No one has ever become poor by giving.”

Until next week. Happy Thanksgiving.

Brenda Donegan is a former Marion Star staffer. She maybe reached at brendadonegan55@gmail.com.