Milford chronicle., 1941-12-19
| no M e ED WGAIT D o N /
aThs Chiid'y First School Is the
FamiiyD-FRoEBRL
Issued by the National Kindergarten
Association. West 40th Street.
New York City
CREATING THE
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
LILLE N. SAUNDERS

AA4AAA N nhbNBEGo
Mother, how long is it now, be-
fore Christmas?" asked eight year
old Beryl Mann.
-Four weeks. Why dear?"
oh, nothing, only was won
dering what Santa Claus will bring
me-"
THAT is hard to tell. What do
you want him to bring you? Any
thing In PARTICULAR"
Yes, lots or Things. ] was afraid
l would forget some of them, so /
wrote them down Seei" She gave
the paper to her mother.
why, Beryl, dear. what long
listl Surely, you don't want all of
these things?"
"Yes, / do, Mother-every single
one of Them The words were in
sistent and--a little hard. To the
mother, they drove home the fact
that her child was thinking only of
herself. 1t was a shock. How had
she let such an unhappy attitude
develop? She did some rapid cal
culating. Now was the time for
quick thought and action
Shall get themf The child
sensed her mothers indecision
Wen see. It's early yet. What
have you planned?"
"What-have--I-planned? Moth
ing but the things on that list"
mo, dear, you don't understand
me. mean, what gifts for others
do you have In mindH
II haven't any. Who for ?'-
why, for your relatives and
Beryl. and there are other
little children less fortunate than
yourself, for whom the Christmas
season promises very little this
year. Perhaps you can help make
it a really Merry Christmas for
some of them"
"Aw, there's nothing / can do"
'I'm sure there is" The mother
began speaking of first one per-
son, then another, and what would
please them. Soon the child be-
came interested, and contributed
IDEAS of her own. Then she grew
and eager to begin.
She was learning the joy of think
ng of others, and of planning for
heir pleasure. Her mother was
earning that children should be
given a full share in Christmas
planning and doing.
Boys and girls, like adults, need
lrst of all the true Christmas spirit.
That may be stimulated by telling
hem over and over the always
lew story of the Christ Child. They
Iever tire of hearing it. Christmas
ongs and verses add much.
Children should always be given
share in making Christmas very
cal. To do that they must under
tand the happiness that results
rom generosity. To know from ex-
erience the Joy of unselfishness is
gift beyond price. Let us grant
hem that gift by teaching them to
e notwithstanding them to think
lore about others than about
more of giving than of
sceiving.
They should be permitted to put
p the usual decorations, and to
i'm the tree; to help with the
xtra baking and cooking. At first,
o doubt, they will be more OF
lndrance than a help, but they
ill be learning valuable lesson
nd later their help will be great
1mfort. They should have a
nance now to enjoy the Christmas
nstle, hustle, sights, smells and
FUNDS.
One doesn't need to go to a lot
extra expense to create this kind
Christmas happiness for the chill
zen. Children enjoy making little
lkes and cookies. Nicely arrang-
| boxes and baskets are always
easure. They may be filled with
,okies, tiny cakes, popcorn balls,
)me made candy, Jelly, or numer-
Is other good things. There are
any gifts, clever and useful, that
ay be made at home And how
uch the recipient does appreci-
e even a trifle made by child's
nall hands.
Encourage the youthful givers to
range all gifts as attractively as
ssible. Such acts of thoughtful
IS for others will leave stabiliz-
g memories Of kind, generous, un-
homefolkS-
Don't forget: the joy of unsel-
hness is a gift beyond price and
u may give this gift to your chill
en- this Christmas.