Photos throughout the Housatonic and Naugatuck Valleys showed that the holidays bring out the elves in everyone.
The celebrations began a few weeks ago, when Woodbury held their Main Street Cub Scout wreath sales and church fairs. Even the got into the act, holding a benefit for animal health and safety, with a Santa dog to lead the day.
People celebrate in their own way - there was in Danbury and the Nutcracker in Waterbury, performed by dancers from the Woodbury Ballet.
Dance is an excellent way to exhibit holiday spirit, but there is nothing like giving back, as did when they got up at dawn to help pack and distribute food and gift baskets to the neediest in their hometown.
In Brookfield, shopkeepers played Santa's elves by helping families decorate their homes with beautiful ornaments and floral arrangements.
And in Oxford and Naugatuck, Santa made his requisite trips to collect lists from all of the good little boys and girls. Check out the surprised baby as he tries to comprehend Santa's massive amounts of facial hair.
Even moms and dads got in on the act. From posing with their youngsters to trying elf hats on their babies, it has already been a very merry holiday season.
Live beneath your means. Return everything you borrow. Stop blaming other people. Admit it when you make a mistake. Give clothes not worn in three years to charity. Do something nice and try not to get caught. Listen more, talk less. Every day, take a 30-minute walk. Strive for excellence, not perfection. Be on time. Don’t make excuses. Don’t argue. Get organized. Be kind to kind people. Be kind to unkind people. Let someone cut ahead of you in line. Take time to be alone. Reread your favorite book. Cultivate good manners. Be humble. Realize and accept that life isn’t fair. Know when to keep your mouth shut. Go an entire day without criticizing anyone. Learn from the past. Plan for the future. Live in the present. Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s all small stuff. -from a Quaker newsletter