The winter holidays are a time when people want to feel cozy and happy. Some people love Hallmark movies and watch every Christmas Hallmark movie that has ever been made. Other folks want to see funny holiday films such as The Santa Claus and Elf. During the pandemic we found our new favorite, feel-good, warm holiday story on Netflix: Jingle Jangle. If you have not seen it, you really should check it out. It is glorious!
Other families, especially those with young children, pull out all of their holiday picture books and reread them over the weeks of December and early January each year. This is one of our personal family traditions, and along with baking cookies, our favorite.
In her companion books In the Nick of Time and In the Nick of Time Too, author Deedee Cummings shares sweet stories about two friends that were inspired by her own son.
In the first book, Nick Saint finds a letter on his drive meant for Saint Nick. When he opens the letter, he discovers an unexpected message that leads him to try to help a family that has a son his same age. Nick learns about poverty, gratitude and service to others. The help he offers has heartwarming results that even please Santa Claus! And the best part: Nick develops a friendship with the boy he helped named Cooper.
The friendship between Nick and Cooper is tested a little in the second book when they have a
discussion about whether Santa is brown. When Santa arrives and he looks like Nick, Cooper learns some important lessons. Santa gently educates both boys that Santa does not care about the color of children’s skin. He only cares about whether they are on the nice list or the naughty list.
“Santa looks like love, and love comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors.” ~Deedee Cummings
Both books are about behaviors that Deedee values as a mom and as a therapist to young people, especially having empathy for others and communicating openly with respect. “Children who do not have these conversations become adults who lack empathy and awareness, two very necessary skills that help make us good humans,” she says.
Both of these best-selling books can be purchased at makeawaymedia.com or on Amazon.