Christmas. Now that it is the week of Christmas it is time to celebrate what is really important to you and what you work for all year long — your family, friends and your community!

This year we are fortunate to have a very long weekend so take advantage of that to share good times, give thanks, and to assist others where you can. Christmas is about fellowship, friendship, love and encouraging others to do whatever they can to make our world a better place.

Enjoy the presents, the food, the laughter, the tears but above all, be thankful that you live where you can do all of these things. From my family to yours — have a wonderful Christmas and make 2016 your best year ever!

“When you get to be a certain age, you come to realise that the real Santa Claus is not the guy who comes down the chimney on Christmas Eve. The real spirit of Santa becomes what you can give rather than what you get. The magic comes from you when Santa lives in your heart.” - Patty Hansen