Stringing decorations for Great grandparents

My father is almost 94 and my mother is 85.  They live together nearby with the help of only once a week cleaning service.  We try to make sure they have meals prepared and available in case they don’t feel like cooking but don’t always manage.

They grew up during the depression and the effect that has had on them is evident even today.  My mother suffered more because her father also died in the midst of the depression leaving my grandmother with 7 children to raise.  Both of my parents are deeply religious.

My mother has always loved Christmas and reflects a rather childlike wonder but more importantly a depth of love about the holidays that few people can match.    Anyway, my husband likes to make sure they have a little Christmas cheer in their surroundings so he bought a small Norfolk island pine tree.

The grandchildren were over for the day and we went down to my parents – their great grandparent’s house to decorate the little tree.  First we had to pop the popcorn – a minor task compared to the days of cooking over the stove not to mention the open fire.   Then we had to get four separate – yet equal – needles and thread for the four grandchildren (you know how that goes) and give some instructions.  The stringing of popcorn and cranberries made a bit of a mess but also a lovely decoration for the tree.  The children have a fun memory of doing something that brought joy to their great grandparents and it will also be good for the birds after the holidays – waste not, want not – as my mother would say.

What have you done to share holiday joy?