What is it about the holidays that make us so crazy?

It seems at times we are so overwhelmed with the amount of work to be done we forget to sit back and celebrate the moment. With the all the decorating, shopping, wrapping, baking, cooking, card sending and party going it is hard to find time to enjoy the holidays.We work so hard to try and recapture that special holiday feeling we had as kids and recreate those feelings for our children. But does it somewhere get lost in the mayhem?I love to look at the "Tamaqua Then and Now" Facebook page.It is a great trip down memory lane as followers post past pictures and discuss past happenings in Tamaqua area. This past weekend there were pictures posted of parades from the 1970s.It was great to see some of the old businesses which lined Broad Street in Tamaqua. People talked about the days when Santa Claus's house and his reindeer were located on the corner of West Broad Street and Nescopec streets.Children would be able to visit Santa there and leave letters for him and see the reindeer in pens.We long for the days when life seemed simpler and the warmth of small town life was at its peak during Christmastime.This Christmas warmth and nostalgic feelings are alive and well in the small town of Tamaqua due to the generous donation of time and effort from many of our communities' volunteer organizations.We have the Spirit of Christmas festival with weekend long events scheduled at various venues. Festive lights and Christmas trees welcome visitors to town in Depot Square Park and Tamaqua Train Station.Beautifully decorated wreaths adorn the gas lamps which line Broad Street. Holiday arts and crafts classes are offered at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center. Many holiday themed plays are performed at various playhouses.Steam train rides with Santa are today so keep an ear out for the sounds of the steam train whistle passing through town. There even is a mailbox just for Santa letters in Depot Square Park. That special "Christmas" feeling is still to be found in downtown Tamaqua.Downtown and area businesses have many wonderful and unique gifts for the holiday season.Tink's Antiques and Emma's Friends Soaps and Lotions offer many unique gifts for that special someone who is hard to buy for.Newly opened Mamma C's Bakery is offering many tasty ethnic treats for the holidays. Don't have time to bake like your grandmother did? Give Mamma C's a call to place orders.M & S Hardware is your go-to place for that last minute decorations or if those darn lights go out on tree a two days before Christmas.Have your holiday meal or Christmas party at one of our fine local restaurants or caterers.Be sure to continue to shop local and support your neighbors.The Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce will again host with the help of Frank Fabrizio the New Year's Eve Ball rise at the ABC Hi-Rise on East Broad Street. Come out and enjoy the festivities and ring in 2016 with friends and neighbors.The Chamber office will reopen on Jan. 4. We will begin producing the Chamber Chatters very soon. Anyone can receive this weekly electronic publication of events and happenings in the Tamaqua Area. Please forward your email address to

chamber@tamaqua.net to be added to the list.The board of directors and the members of the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce want to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year, and remember to take time to enjoy the holidays.