Meaning of Christmas

In response to the column by Raleigh Whiteman dated Dec. 3, I'll take the bait. The fact that your children (spouses and grandchildren) are unable to spend Christmas with you is a good sign. They are setting up their own family traditions. It is a tribute to you and their mother. Feel blessed.
Forget shopping. You will be wasting a lot of time and money trying to find things they don't need or want. They will also be doing the same for you. As the patriarch of the family, you have an opportunity to change things. Return the real meaning of Christmas; it will be the greatest gift of all. Here are some suggestions:
Rather than gift cards, make a donation to a cause they believe in, in their name. Do they love animals? Cancer, diabetes, heart association and Alzheimer's associations are donations well spent (let them know ahead of time that this is your plan this year so they don't waste all their time and money on you.)
Christmas cards: You may feel an obligation to send some but your friends and family would much more appreciate a phone call from you.
Parties: Why should we feel like partying when so many of our friends and neighbors are in dire straits? Let's return Christmas to what it was always meant to be, a time of gratitude, humility and rejoicing in the birth of our Savior; a season of rebirth and renewal. As a columnist you have a wonderful opportunity to do this.
Also, bailing out the economy by spending money we don't have is the dumbest idea I have ever heard of. We would have gladly spent it if it was a free gift in our pockets.
May the spirit of Christmas live year-round?
Terri Fallert
Sebring