The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

50 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday December 26, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com There are lots of ways to give to others By Akemi Liyanage GRADE 11, IROQUOIS RIDGE H.S. G iving is a very broad concept. It can range anywhere from simple homemade cards to a velvet-encased diamond ring. You can also "give" love and caring to someone when they are sick, and "give" support to a relative or friend Put a Little Magic inYour Holidays You r Ho liday Gift Store who is ill. Whatever you do while giving, it is to get gratification from the happiness of another. This holiday, as every one, the spirit of giving is in the air. There is a constant need to love, give, share and appreciate, and such emotions could be seen through the glittering rainbow lights, silvertipped trees, tightlywoven ribbons, stacks of presents and hearty wreaths. Jingling bells and cheerful carols could be heard around the street corner, on the radio, on TV and Christmas decorations were scattered throughout the World Wide Web. But there is much more to giving than festive décor. Opening doors for strangers, smiling good morning to the newspaper delivery person, adding an extra tip for the pizza man and hollering hello to the garbage collectors, also count as a type of giving. Even more, it is a need to assist other people who may be facing a distressing situation. Such as, let's say getting the car stuck in the snow or losing the directions to Grandma's house. And there is nothing wrong with extending an extra arm to aid in family affairs. Biting back a mean retort to your brother, letting your sisters borrow BOXING DAY CLEARANCE DECEMBER 27-31 -for your finishing touch! 67 Bronte Rd., Oakville · 905-825-1202 ek we ing ox b % ff o in for rush European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship 4 01 2 ary ntil Janu est u no inter * or 15 See r e. ulardptaic. g our restore for e ils $ Logan Stone 2 Piece Sectional 1189 98 "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" 905.849.0266 Happy Holiday from Escape to a World of Comfort Carlyle 5 Piece Dining Room $ 123995 #401 Britiannia Rd W Eglinton Ave Includes Table & 2 Side Chairs Hamlyn Queen Panel Bed Includes Headboard, Footboard & Rails 5 Piece Bedroom Includes Queen Bed, Dresser & Mirror $ 59997 $ 203995 #403 Erin Mills Pkwy Mississauga Rd #10 QEW #427 Square One Mall #410 #407 N Mississauga 4561 Hurontario Street, Unit #2 South East Corner of Hwy #10 & Eglinton Stoney Creek 410 Lewis Road & the South Service Road Located in Stoney Creek Decor Centre "MASONRY & FIREPLACE DESIGN SPECIALISTS" w w w. c o b b l e s t o n e m b e r s . c a 406 SPEERS RD., OAKVILLE ACROSS FROM RONA LANSING 905-337-2066 *On approved credit. Minimum purchase of $2999 and $89.99 financing fee required. Financing provided by CitiFinancial Canada, Inc. Finance Charges will not accrue on the purchase during the credit promotional period if the required minimum payment is made each billing cycle during the credit promotional period when due. The purchase price is divided by the number of months in the credit promotional period to determine equal monthly payments to be made during the credit promotional period. Credit promotional period may be terminated if you default under your account agreement. Standard APR 28.75%. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS. Although every precaution is taken, errors in price and/or specification may occur in print. We reserve the right to correct any such errors. HomeStores are independently owned and operated. An amount equal to sales taxes and delivery charges must be paid at the time of purchase. Previous purchases excluded. P ©2008 Ashley HomeStores, Ltd. Expires 01/06/209 your clothes, and thanking your parents for waking you up instead of yelling at them also count as acts of giving. You don't have to go to the trouble of finding your grandparents their quilt or cleaning the attic with your Aunt Marie, but it is always an option. Then there is the giving of your presence. Perhaps you have a party to attend, but your best friend is rather glum at home with a stomachache and is in a sullen mood. Instead of gracing the party with your glamorous self, you might do a lot more good by sticking around for your friend. Giving people your full attention during conversations, contributing to a familial debate, laughing at everyone's jokes, and staying downstairs to watch Elf again with your family are long-standing gifts of your presence. Being there for someone at the right time and right moment can be a priceless gift. But don't forget to give back to yourself. Lying in a relaxing bubble bath, sleeping late, exercising, playing with the dog or letting yourself sink into your favorite holiday read are all nice presents to give to you. Anything that may lead to the benefits of rejuvenation, recreation and regeneration, should also be considered, especially if you want to turn a new leaf for the New Year. Forget regrets and bad decisions. 2009 is the year to kick back on the bad karma and start getting things right. Though it may take just a short moment, giving yourself another chance at fulfilling your goals and reaching your dreams maybe the best gift you've given yet.