It was cold outside and feeling like it could snow any moment, but it didn't. Inside were 6 children getting ready for Christmas in a way they had not known before. The aroma of homemade food filled the house. Not expensive food, yet the smell can be remembered today as one memory never to forget. Some were sitting on the floor and some on the couch, awaiting the start of the Christmas celebration.

Somewhere in another room the scene was quite different as two parents tried to decide what to do. Finances had been very tight this year and it seemed that the amount of presents were going to be very small. "What can we do to make this more fun?" they said as they knew that the opening of the presents was going to take no time at all and it would be over so quickly. So, an idea was born that night to help us remember the best Christmas ever.

As we all assembled together in the living room to start our Family Christmas, each one of us was handed a slip of paper. On that paper it told us where to look for our present. When we went to that location we would find another piece of paper to tell us where to look further. At some point the search directed us to find our gift. But what fun we had, all six of us going in every direction of that 5 room apartment looking for our gift. Laughing and having a great time doing it, we had no idea that the great fun we were having was all because our parents had used their creativity to make it fun for us. Such a simple idea, yet exactly what was needed.

I wish I could tell you what my tangible gift was that Christmas, but to be quite honest, I have no idea. However, I have never forgotten that Christmas. It was so much fun and we had no idea that the whole reason we got to play that game was to cover up the fact that there just was no money for gifts that year. Oh, if my parents could have knownwhat that actually gave us! Such wonderful memories! And a realization of what one of the great things Christmas should be......great times with family!

Do you have a favorite family Christmas memory you would like to share? I would love to hear them!