It’s autumn and you have all those holidays to get ready for: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and the New Year celebration. So, take a deep breath and start planning now, suggests the Association of Mature American Citizens (www.amac.us). Even the most crotchety among us is apt to smile a little more at this time of the year, especially if you are a grandparent.
By all the estimates, Halloween is the 2nd most popular holiday in the U.S. Maybe it is because, like Christmas, the most popular of seasonal celebrations, it’s all about the kids. So, help the youngsters have the best of times by showing them how to carve a pumpkin or coming up with costume ideas that they can make themselves with a little help from you, even if it is an bed sheet with eye holes cut out.
Thanksgiving is a solemn time for families big and small, a time to hug children and give them a sense of belonging. But, there are many lonely hearts out there, people you may know who, for one reason or another, are alone. Invite them to share the turkey this year in the spirit of the holiday.
Meanwhile, it’s never too early to start shopping for Hanukkah or Christmas. Get an early start so you have time to enjoy the get togethers with family and friends. And, at last, make your plans early for New Year’s Eve. Even a quiet celebration in front of the TV, watching the ball drop over Times Square, can use some special attention.