Most people will say they cannot achieve a good life because we live in an era of skyrocketing prices with an evidently-rough economic tide.

The effects of the empty pocket ultimately trickle down to the children in the home. We are in an era where emphasis is placed on the most basic items of life.

This leaves anything that does not fall in this category being branded extravagant and luxurious. Truth is the little things that bring lasting memories are usually not as expensive as we perceive them. It is not the monetary value of the gift that brings warmth to the receiver, but the fact that someone is actually thinking about you makes all the difference.

Last week, I visited, for the first time in sixteen years, the couple that supported me through school. It was not the joy of visiting England that lighted up my spirit, but the prospect of meeting the people who gave my life a foundation upon which the person I have become stands.

It has been a week of recollecting the last so many years of a deep friendship made possible by only exchanging mail. I told my hosts of how having my name read or posted on the school noticeboard; asking me to pick my mail from the administration offices, brought joy indescribable.

This left them amazed at how just a letter or card meant the whole world to the receiver. I could recount countless little things this couple did that left lasting perceptions that formed my character, esteem and worldview.

Over the weekend, Jean Williams posted a Christmas calendar to my children. The calendar has thirty numbers. The children will take turns each day to open the calendar. Behind each number is a piece of chocolate. How brilliant this looked to me! This means that for the next one month, the children will look forward to opening the day’s box; if not for anything but the piece of chocolate.

Immediately, I thought about the so many lessons the children are going to learn through the Christmas calendar. Right from day one, it’s an opportunity to tell them a Christmas story before opening the box. It’s a time to do their remedial on counting since opening the box follows a systematic arithmetic pattern.

And yes, it’s a time for them to behave at their best knowing that each day will be crowned with a beautiful ceremony of chocolate sharing. I am sure this is going to be their best pre-Christmas journey. Perhaps, they will always look forward to that time every year.

I must say that the Christmas calendar did not cost an arm and leg for Jean. Probably like me, you have always thought such things are a preserve for the rich in society. Within our means, we can do small things that will make a lasting impact in our children’s lives.

As we approach the Christmas season, think about the little thing you are going to do with your children so you may crown the year with sweet memories. Remember, it is not the price tag that brings the meaning, but the spirit.

We can creatively do something that will speak volumes about the love that we share. Is it going to be the decorating of the Christmas tree, the little end-of-year gift, or even scheduling an occasional walk with the children amidst our tight programmes? 

Remember, the little things we do, make a huge difference in the lives of our loved ones.