Indeed, I remember, at about 5 years of age, the wonder and awe of Sinterklaas himself, AND his moorish helpers, called Zwarte Pieten (Black Pete's) coming to my little school in Leiden, Holland.



Along with all the other traditions that we kept, it was a time of excitement and wonder.

Yet there was also a bit of anxiety too. In Holland, where I grew up, there was a tradition that if you had been naughty, all you would get would be a lump of coal or a bag of salt instead of presents.

Fear and trepidation among all kids, hoping that they had been good enough for presents this year.

It all built up to a lot of excitement and a lot of awe and wonder.

And isn't that the whole point to the Christmas season? Not just another commercial break, but something special, and completely different from the rest of the year. A time of special activities, and special memories.

So where did the magic go?

Now, instead of Christmas carols sung by lamplight at our door by volunteers collecting for charity, we have tinny xmas jingles (yes, Christ has even been removed from Christmas and replaced by X, an unknown quantity).

Instead the commercials just scream buy, buy, buy, as though spending more and getting more will make the season special. But all that produces is stress and debt.

And for all the temporary excitement of unwrapping them, it seems to me that so much more has been lost. The magic. The wonder. The awe. The love.

So, this year, why not bring some of that magic back? How about spending less money on presents, and spending more effort on making Christmas a lasting memory. Here are some ideas:

Look up your local papers to see what community events are on. Spend a bit less on presents and, instead, go and see a Christmas show together.

Or carols by candlelight.

And what about a drive around the community to look at the lights and Christmas decorations? Have a vote on which were the best. And then go for a coffee and hot chocolate together.

Another idea is to do some Christmas baking together - perhaps making gingerbread men - or even a gingerbread house.

Go play in the snow - skating, sledding, snowballs and snow angels. Be a kid yourself, again, and have a belly laugh together. Ambitious? Try building an igloo together!

Turn off the TV and play a game together - maybe a board game or, if you really want a laugh, do something like charades, Pictionary or Cranium.

Watch a classic Christmas movie together. My favorites are Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wonderful Life, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and the new Santa Clause series with Tim Allen.

And, when it does come time to open the presents - how about doing them one at a time instead of a mad scramble all at once? Each child takes turns to select a present from under the tree and pass it to the appropriate person. Yes, it will take all morning to do it. Which brings you nicely up to the family Christmas meal, followed by a walk, skate, or visit to friends.

And, if you really must use your computer - well, why not have Santa Claus send your children a free, colorful email greeting from the North Pole? You can set that up at:

http://good-child-guide.com/email_from_santa/ (And you will get some free gifts for yourself too).

Above all, make it your goal, this year, to make Christmas a magical memory - a time that will draw you all closer together as a family, and that your children will remember for decades to come. Just as I still remember my Christmases in Holland, so many years ago.