Libby Hires

Local Columnist

December has gone by faster than I expected. To me, it seems to drag a little bit until the children get out for winter break. Then we try to pack so much into the days for them that Christmas is here before we know it.

From the time that Jay and Kala were toddlers and could understand the concept, we played “a game” with presents. The week leading up to Christmas would bring “Gift Appreciation” to our house. I created this game after I saw someone (not Kala or Jay) totally bomb their response when opening presents one Christmas. The recipient acted as if someone had not taken their time choosing a nice present and wrapping it up just for him. The teenager’s actions were great for shock value, but not for spreading holiday cheer. He definitely wasn’t on the “Nice” list and was not a role model for other kids. I didn’t want this possible contagious behavior to corrupt my own personal kids, hence my creation of the game.

People might say I was teaching my kids to lie, but that’s not necessarily the truth. It was helping them to understand that a gift is not a given; it’s something that someone chose to do for them.

The purpose of the game was to teach children to choose good manners and to keep negativity away. For approximately 4 nights, a small gift was opened. It may have been something they wanted or even something they didn’t like.

No matter what was unwrapped, Jay and Kala had to act as if they had just opened the most amazing gift ever. If they couldn’t pull it off, they could not open a gift the next night. Jay was able to always pull it off. It was a struggle for Kala. Kala has an abundance of athletic skills. Showing a poker face was not her forte. Each night they participated the present got a little bit larger. Like I said, it wasn’t a major present. It might have been a pack of gum, a small toy, or even a box of chocolate covered cherries. The latter was Kala’s Achilles Heel. There was nothing she wanted to do with that red box of chocolates. So, the box of chocolate covered cherries became a staple in the game. It usually was reserved for the last night. When they were teenagers, I made things a bit interesting. The candy was passed and Kala, with great flourish, tossed the box. I looked at her as if I had never known her disgust for the candy.

I asked her, “Do you really want to give those to Jay?” “YES!” I asked, “Are you POSITIVE?” “YES!” I handed them to Jay. Right on the inside of the label, I had hidden a $10 bill. Her jaw dropped and she squealed with the new found money.

The revelation that she had given the box to Jay didn’t hit her until I reminded her.

As my children got older and our family grew, they learned the more important lesson gradually. It’s all about the PRESENCE and not the presents. We have to remember the true reason for the season and be very thankful for the gifts that we have been bestowed throughout our lives. Besides the birth of Jesus, our greatest Christmas gifts are family and friends. Let us carry that thought into 2026.

2025 is almost at an end, but there is still one week to still enjoy the holiday season. Let’s celebrate with our family and friends! Here are a few recipes for you to share at those gatherings whether it is to watch a bowl game or to cheer in the new year. May we all choose it to be our Year of Love and Gratitude.

Here are a couple recipes to help you celebrate. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Pecan Cheese Ball

• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened • 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

• 2 tsp. chopped pimento • 2 tsp. finely chopped bell pepper

• 2 tsp. minced onion • 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce • ½ tsp. lemon juice • Dash red pepper • Dash salt • ½ cup finely chopped pecans Directions: Using your hands, combine all ingredients except for pecans.

Shape into a ball. Roll cheeseball in chopped pecans until well coated. Chill for at least 1 hour. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve; refrigerate any left overs. Serve with party crackers, pretzels, bread rounds, etc.

Cranberry Punch

• 2 quarts cranberry juice cocktail • 1 TBSP grated orange rind • 2 cups orange juice (no pulp preferred!)

• ½ cup sugar • 5 cloves(whole) • 1 quart Ginger Ale, chilled • 1 small orange(optional) Directions: Combine first 5 ingredients into a large soup pot or Dutch oven. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 4 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove cloves. Chill. Pour mixture into a punch bowl. Stir in ginger ale. Slice orange into thin slices. Remove seeds. Float slices on top of punch mixture as a garnish. Serve. (If serving later, keep refrigerated until ready to serve; the recipe can be doubled easily.)

Layered Crab Dip

• 12oz. cream cheese, softened • 1 small onion, grated • 2 TBSP Worcestershire Sauce • 2 TBSP mayo • 1 TBSP lemon juice • Dash garlic salt (for taste) • ½ cup chili sauce • 1 can crabmeat, drained and flaked (can use approx. 7 oz. fresh crab, cooked) • Assorted crackers or pretzels Directions: Add the first 6 ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Beat mixture with an electric mixture until smooth.

Spread mixture onto a medium pizza pan or cookie sheet. Spread chili sauce evenly over cream cheese mixture.

Sprinkle with crabmeat. Refrigerate until ready to serve (place over a pan of ice to keep cold over a period of time while serving.) Serve with crackers or pretzels.

NOTE: Can also top with cooked salad shrimp if desired.

Hires is a columnist with the Bryan County News.