Yes…Virginia there is a Christmas without modern technology.

One of my Facebook friends reminded me today that there are only
18 days left until Christmas.

Only 18 days….so little time for me to complete my college course work, finish decorating the house, throw two holiday parties, shop for friends and family, complete a freelance research project, and try to squeeze a day trip to New York to see Rockefeller Center.

Where the heck has all the time gone?

Every year I promise myself that next year I will have a plan of action / strategy for success and be well prepared for my favorite holiday.

One would think in this age of digital communications, social media and internet based shopping I would be able to locate all the great decorations for the house, send out Christmas Cards (yes we say Christmas in our house) and shop for the perfect gifts.

Technology is great and I enjoy its benefits everyday yet somehow at Christmas I want things to be more personable and friendly and the computer seems to be a bit more impersonal than performing the task myself.

I want my friends and family to know:

- That I spent the time thinking about them and took great care in preparing a meal or creating a special holiday event versus having a caterer show up at the house.
- That the Christmas card I sent them has a hand written note from our family versus buying the cards with our names printed on them or electronic cards sent to an email address.
- That the gift I handed them was thought out carefully and not purchased on a whim.
- That I still love my mother even though she absolutely makes me crazy with her list of what to do’s.
- That our children understand the true meaning of Christmas and how important it is that we share the holiday together.

Each year technology advances but it still can not take the place of a Christmas Movie night with the family. Watching the classics such as Rudolph, Frosty, Miracle of 34th Street, or It’s a Wonderful Life with family and friends isn’t digital social media but is social.

So for your holiday I wish everyone gifts that enhance their social media and the time to spend with family and friends that will enhance you socializing.

So, Yes Virginia there is a Christmas with out technology.

For those who had never had a chance to read the famous letter to the New York Sun written by veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church to Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon to answer her question “Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus”. Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

What to Blog, What to Blog, What to Blog,

For the first time this holiday season I had my OH MY moment. I realized that it is December and Christmas is less than 22 days from now. My mind was a jumble of things I need to do: send a box to our son in Iraq, decorate the house for our holiday parties [yes more than one], finish two papers for VCSU and then the fun task - shop for the kids.

As I sat down to write this week’s blog I have the verse from Let it Snow running through my head and I wondered…

What to Blog, What to Blog, What to Blog?

I searched online for something to inspire me on what to write. I thought to myself what is on the top of everyone’s mind this time of year, Santa – Cards – Friends and Family. So I Googled these key words and found a sited called make your own Dancing Santa Card. The site DancingSantaCard.com allowed me to upload a photo and make a jolly e-card to send to my friends and family. I created one and emailed the link to those in my contact list.

I digress…What to Blog, What to Blog, What to Blog?

The phone rings, it is our daughter with some Christmas hints. Our kids have to have their hints in by a specific date or we buy them what WE THINK they need. She gives me the list with some links so that I can go online to see what she wants this year. I find the items and we discuss others.

I digress…What to Blog, What to Blog, What to Blog?

I begin to wonder how can I tie the holiday season with digital media and social networking and use it in my blog. This is when I have what many would call a DUH moment.

Today I created a Santa e-card that was sent out electronically to friends and family, I searched for gifts online, I searched Facebook for updates on my friends’ holiday plans and I checked the status of those attending our holiday parties from our Evite invitations. Without knowing I just tied the digital age and the Christmas holiday together and found a message for my blog.