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The Citizen, 1987-12-22, Page 33THE CITIZEN, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1987. PAGE 33. Precious Christmas gifts no money can buy BY KEITH ROULSTON Several years ago In the midst of the Christmas season some thoughts about perfect gifts, price­ less gifts came to me. I set them down in a column that when printed in Village Squire became quite popular with readers. Since them it has been something of a Christmas tradition to reprint it. You lie there, my children, so strangely quiet after your day of hectic activity. In a few short hours you’ll be on the go again, doing all those little things that can make a father have to work hard to keep his cool. But now the devilment is gone and the innocence fills your darkened room. And my love fills the room too. Christmas will soon be here and your mother and 1 are wondering these day s what to get you for gifts. The gifts 1 would like to give to you no money could buy. They are more precious than the gold and myrrh and frankincense the wise men brought. I cannot give these gifts. I can only wish them for you. For you, on this Christmas, I wish the gift of eternal childhood. Oh, I know your body will grow and your mind will mature and some­ day you’ll be standing, looking at your own children sleeping. But I wish for you to always keep the qualities of imagination and won­ derment that make childhood such a wonderful time. You’ll grow older, but may you never grow jaded as do so many people today. May you always feel a special stirring when you enjoy a warm Great drinks don't need alcohol Sensible drinking is the watch­ word this holiday season so be an angel and serve guests drinks spiked with ingredients rich in flavor, not alcohol. Drinks with little or no alcohol don’t have to be humdrum. Use your imagination to make them taste good and look festive. Experiement with fruit juice com­ binations - cranberry and grape­ fruit, orange and pineapple, or mix all four. Add herbs, spices and seasonings. Flavourings and ex­ tracts will give taste without the kick of alcohol. Use garnishes like McCutcheon Grocery Brussels Have a warm and wonderful Christmas. We delighted io have the opportunity to thank you for your continued patronage throughout the year. spring day, a colourful summer sunset, the first fluffy snow clinging to a spruce tree. May you always feel a twinge of pride when you see a flag floating in the wind, against a blue sky. May you get that special feeling of awe when you look at the billion stars in the black sky. For you my children this Christ­ mas, may you have this gift of eternal innocence but also the gift of knowledge. Particularly that kind of knowledge that helps you separate the real things in life from the phoney. May you have the knowledge perhaps better known as common sense: that kind of knowledge that helps you on the right path when others would lead you astray. May you have that knowledge that helps you separate the real things in life from the unnecessary frills. For you my children on this Christmas, may I wish the gift of eternaljoy ofChristmasand the knowledge of the real meaning of the holiday. May you always be able to sift through the tinsel and fake holly to discover the real joy of love and warmth in the holiday. For you my children on Christ­ mas may I wish that you will always know the pleasure that family and friends can bring. Oh, sometimes you’ll fight with each other and you ’ 11 become angry with your best friends and you’ll want to run away from home because your mother or I have disciplined you, but may you always recover from these minor disappointments to discover again the strength of family relationships and of true friendships: the thickfruitwedges, twistedfruit rinds, vegetable curls or sugared cranberries on skewers. Grapefruit Sipper 2Vi cups cranberry juice l/i cup grapefruit juice V2 cup water In a large pitcher, combine cranberry and grapefruit juice. Stir well and serve over ice. Serves 4. Cranberry Orange Sparkle 2 cups cranberry juice 1 x/i cups orange juice 1 teaspoon brandy flavouring Combine all ingredients and serve over ice. Serves 4. knowledge that there are always people there who love you and will always be there when you need help. For you my children on Christ­ mas, may I wish a sense of responsibility. Whatever you are doing try to do it well. Remember you ’ll only live this life once and try to leave the world a little better place than it was when you came into it. You may never be able to At this time of year we count our blessings of health, good crops, good weather, good friends and most important, our good customers. Thanks to you we have had another successful year and we thank you for helping make this happen. All of us at McGavin’s would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year and look forward to serving you in 1988 in a new building. Managements Staff of FARM EQUIPMENT LIMITED are From Don, Lenore & Staff at Scrimgeour's Food Market Blyth solve the great problems of the world, to feed the starving of Africa or halt wars in the middle East, but you can make your own family run well, you can make your own town a better place. And by tidying up your own little corner of the world, you can help make the world a better place. You can’t carry the world on your shoulders and you’ll find only grief and disappointment if you try. Set your sights at a reasonable goal for yourself and fight to attain it. These are my gift wishes for you, my children this Christmas. You won’t find them gift wrapped under the tree on Christmas morning. They’ll stay here in my heart. May I have the grace to give them to you by helping you in the right paths as you grow to adulthood ... for your sake, for mine, and for the sake of the world. ■ I I I A g a K A FlAA Fl h hA £ A g g g g g b g g g g g b b b b b b b b A b b b b b b b b b b A g b b b b b b b b g g.