The spirit of Christmas

When I think of Christmas this is the person who comes into my mind –
Meet my Grandmother – Iris Dingle 89 years old and her sister Dot 87 years old.
For these two lovelies planning Christmas starts in January, this is why…
Every year my Grandmother and Aunty Dot, with the help of their families, decorate the house in Home Hill with Christmas lights.
They have two garages they also decorate. One becomes a nativity scene and the other is filled with Christmas figurines that put on a little show for the Children.
There is santa on a Harley Davidson, singing snowmen and dancing Christmas trees to only name a few.
From the 1st of December every evening, Aunty Dot dresses as Santa and Grandma dresses as Mrs Clause. They sit out the front of the house waving to passers by and ringing a bell. Most people stop to come in… Grandma shows the children the figurines, the children receive a lucky dip, men receive a piece of homemade christmas cake and Ladies receive a little handmade elf christmas brooch. Some of my younger cousins dress as Elves and lend a hand. Over the years the community has become involved … some people have donated money to help with the cost of electricity and lights, some people save small toys all year to give for the lucky dips (700 were given out last year).
Grandma and Aunty Dot also hand out hundreds of hand written christmas cards saying “May the spirit of Christmas stay with you throughout the new year”.
On top of all of this my Grandmother (who is on the pension) gathers gifts for her 8 children, 8 daughter and son inlaws, 25 Grandchildren, 13 Grand children in laws and 22 Great grandchildren.
Some of her gifts are handmade – crocheted wash cloths or knitted coat hangers. All of them are chosen with a lot of thought and love.
When I asked Grandma what Christmas means to her she said it was her favourite time of year. A time to give and a time to receive. A time for family and friends to come together, putting differences aside and enjoying the magic of christmas.
On Christmas Day this year, like all the other years we will gather at one of my Aunts or Uncles houses. Sometimes there will be as many as 80 people. I have some incredible childhood memories of these occasions. Years ago I clearly remember my Grandmother turning up to Christmas dinner with a hitchhiker she picked up from the side of the road. She said “Nobody should spend Christmas alone and we have plenty of everything to share”.  One of my favourite moments every year is listening to my Grandmother saying grace before lunch. She remembers those we have lost and who are missed and then gives gratitude that we have each other.
When I asked Grandma if I could take photos of her and Aunty Dot and write a story about her, she was a little stunned. She doesn’t think all of this is a big deal, it’s just what you do. I joked to her “Look out Grandma, the story could go viral”. She said “Oh No!, what does that mean!”
Please share this simple story of 2 wonderful women to spread a little Christmas joy.
So, in the words of someone who inspires me to see not only the magic in Christmas but also in life – May the spirit of Christmas stay with you throughout the new year.
Megan x