Country Comfortable

Heartwarming Holiday Tales, Seasonal Features, and Festive Reads to Enjoy This December

The Christmas season has arrived again — lights twinkling in windows, cookie tins appearing on counters, and December settling over everything like a soft quilt. And after easing my way back into writing the other day, it felt like the right moment to open the doors wide and share something a little cheerful, a little familiar, and maybe even a little fun.

So today, I’ve gathered together a warm basketful of past Christmas and Holiday Features from the Writing Pages — stories, poems, memories, and old-time favorites all in one easy place. Think of it as a “help yourself” buffet of seasonal comfort. No need to dress up. Pajamas are fully acceptable.

Little Red Bear wandered in while I was putting this together, just to see what all the fuss was about. When he realized I was collecting Christmas pieces for folks to enjoy, he gave me a gentle poke and said, “Now, don’t go forgettin’ my Happy Christmas Left/Right Gift Exchange Game. Folks always seem to have a good time with that one.”

He’s right — it’s one of the most popular little treasures we’ve ever shared, so it’s tucked safely into the basket for you. Just be ready for a bit of silliness… and maybe a few giggles as the game bounces left and right and back again.

So pour a cup of something warm, find a comfy chair, and settle in. Whether you’re looking for a smile, a bit of nostalgia, or something to share with little ones, I hope this collection adds a touch of brightness to your day.

And if a stray cookie or two goes missing while you’re reading… well, Red has been known to wander.

Christmas Holiday Writing Features & Gallery Summary Page

“Love’s Candle in the Night Poem”

“The General Store Christmas Poem”

“Fireside Questions for Santa Poem”

“Blue House on the Hill” — a Christmas Poem

“What To Do On A Christmas Week Night?” — A Christmas Poem

“Christmas Thru The Window Glass” — A Nostalgic Look Back at Christmases of My Childhood

“Christmases Of My Childhood” by the Award-winning Author Kathleen Creighton

“Christmas — It’s in the Singing Of A Street Corner Choir . . .” Featuring The Muppets

“Haddon Sundblom, Coca-Cola, and Santa Claus” — About How the Well-known Modern Image of Santa Claus Came To Be

“Christmas Trains and Memories Beneath the Tree”

“That’s What Christmas Is All About, Charlie Brown . . . .”

“Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus . . . . . . And So Much More!”

“Deciphering Old-fashioned Terms In Favorite Christmas Carol Lyrics”

“Susie’s Bear” — a Holiday Season Short Story

“Little Red Bear’s “Christmas & Holiday Season” Coloring Pages for All Ages”

“Pine Holler Christmas” — a short story for the holiday season featuring Little Red Bear and his friends, available on Amazon for Kindle and eReaders

Little Red Bear asked me very politely—well, as politely as a bear hopped up on Christmas excitement can manage—to be sure this favorite made it into the basket. His Happy Christmas Left/Right Gift Exchange Game is one of the most-visited features on the Pages every year, and if you’re looking for a good laugh with family or friends, it’s ready and waiting.

Just a fair warning from seasoned players — little ones have been known to insist on reshuffling the gifts and playing again… and again… and again. Holiday joy comes in many forms, doesn’t it?

“Little Red Bear’s ‘Happy Christmas Left/Right Gift Exchange Game”

Perfect for Family Gatherings, Classrooms, Holiday Parties, and Christmas Eve Fun — enjoy the laughter, the chaos, and the magic!

Tap Here to Download the FREE “Little Red Bear’s Happy Christmas LEFT/RIGHT Gift Exchange Game” (PDF)

Little Red Bear asked me to remind you that good stories—much like good cookies—are always better when shared. He even suggested I hide a cookie or two inside this post to make things more interesting, but I told him we’d save that mischief for another day.

Still, if one of these Christmas features brings you a smile, a chuckle, or a warm memory, I hope you’ll pass it along to someone who might enjoy a little seasonal cheer. A simple story shared at just the right moment can be a small kindness — and goodness knows the world can always use more of those, can’t it?

Thank you for making this little corner of the world such a welcoming and friendly place. Your visits, your warmth, and your company here on the Writing Pages mean more to me than I can say.

From both Red and me, warmest wishes for a holiday season filled with joy, peace, and the gentle magic that seems to hover in the air this time of year.

— Jim (and Red!)

And if you’d like to stop back by on Tuesday, I’ll have another warm December visit waiting for you. A nice way to continue the season together, don’t you think?

Exterior construction on this new Blog Site is nearly finished after a great effort yesterday! TWO new rooms were added to facilitate better displays. And the view from the top is awesome! Construction equipment and materials are being packed up and removed from the site to make room for visitors soon.

Soon- but not quite yet. Here’s the deal. Little Red Bear and I have been fairly in agreement with our approach to decorating the interior of the blog. I have been trying to achieve a feeling of “Country Comfortable”, while Red has been leaning more towards a “Backwoods Bungalow” thing. Pretty similar, really. I mentioned the work I had put in earlier to come up with just the right “Country Front Yard Rust” color tones for the Blog Title. I really liked it. So did Red, of course.

But after finishing most of the exterior work late yesterday afternoon with only a few odds and ends finishing touches remaining, we invited our interior designer in for his final assessment and blessings. Mmmmm– didn’t go so well. Our interior designer’s name is Monsieur Henri Le Blanc à Plumes, a white peacock. And being a bird, he literally hit the ceiling. What is it with all these hyper-sensitive and over-reacting birds lately? First the ostriches and now Henri!

“Mon Dieu, mes amis! C’est scandaleux! What are you trying to do? Scare people away? “Country Comfortable”? “Backwoods Bungalow”? These are not even recognized design styles. “Country Clash” is more what you have here I think! “Backwoods Beast!” It is an abomination. Classic, Retro, Contemporary, Modern, High Tech, Minimalist, Elegant– these are accepted design styles. You have done none of them.

“Burlap on the windows? You call these “curtains”? These are not window coverings, they are feedsacks! What is this unused column for? It is taking up space. Why have you built if you are not going to use, I ask? Who was your designer– Attila the Swine? We must make use of theme and color. Artfully and skillfully blend them and allow them to rise to the occasion, like a fine soufflé. The interior design must be pleasing to the eyes. This is a design outrage. It is visual assault on the eyes!

“Why is the title already rusted? The title should scream out “newness” and deliver a message. Yours just looks decrepit and old. Rigamortis is already setting in. You want your new Blog Site to be alive! D’accord? Stand back. No–Get out! Leave, and let me do my work. I have so much to do. So much to do. You have left me no time. Why did you not call me sooner? But Henri will make it fabulous. The interior will be drop over dead for. You will love what I do for you, mes amis!

“Wait! Come back, my kitty cats, let me show you. I will take my inspiration from Mother Nature as you have so unsuccessfully tried with your unskilled approach. Rustic– yes. Comfortable– yes. But in a clean and open way, like the lavender fields in Provence. Oh, Provence– my sweet inspiration! Out! Out! I have so much to do to get ready for visitors! You will love what it is I do with the walls and design. Go busy yourself on the outside and leave me to work! Il sera magnifique!”

So Henri is busy at work inside, switching from the Pilcrow theme to Hemingway Rewritten, and providing the finishing decorative touches today. Hopefully the last day before we can open up for visitors. I don’t know if he can get it all finished in one day. Remains to be seen. But really, if you need someone for decorating help, who better than a strutting peacock?