The meaning of Christmas isn’t commercialism. But personally, I take great joy in spending hours on end looking for that perfect gift – not the most expensive gift – but one that suits each individual’s interests and falls under the realm of being something they could actually use. For me, it’s fun, for others, maybe not so much. Those of you still looking for something that fits, think about making a donation to a local charity each person on your list supports, or would be in favor of supporting. Our local charities are in need of some help this year as so many funds have been directed to those in need in the areas hit by Hurricane Katrina. A cash gift of $20 or more to charities such as the Animal Compassion Network, your local literacy council, or Friends of the Smokies goes a long way in meeting their needs and bringing forth the Yuletide cheer. Helping to fulfill a child’s dreams by picking up any of those remaining wish tree lists – available at many local banks – also is a great way to give and give back to the community at the same time. A simple, handwritten card to each person on your list stating that a donation has been made in their honor to a given charity will be a great thing to open Christmas morning.

“The Ref”

Holiday movies tend to get all warm and fuzzy, but in the 1994 classic “The Ref” Dennis Leary helps keep things real. Leary plays a burglar abandoned by his partner in the middle of a heist, forced to take a maritally troubled Connecticut couple (Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis) hostage. Mix in a blackmailing teenaged son and mother-in-law from hell and it really does feel like Christmas.

Going ethnic

From the last name you might have guessed that there’s a bit of Eastern European in my blood. In our family we celebrate the holidays a little bit differently, with Christmas Eve being the big deal. For dinner, we go all out Polish with sauerkraut, pierogies, pea soup and sausage. The sausage is a concession for the Southern half of the family, as the meal is traditionally meatless – but really, what’s a meal without sausage? There’s also the dotting of honey on the forehead – to keep the girls sweet all year long – and cracking of walnuts – to help determine the disposition of the coming year. Take some time to investigate your own family’s history, or just pick an ethnic tradition that interests you and add it to your holiday celebrations.

— Sarah Kucharski