Christmas would not be complete without . . .

A living room lit only by the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree.

The joyous sound of sleigh bells.

Almond bark, lefse, oyster stew. Hot apple cider laced with cinnamon sticks.

Tinsel stuck to everything.

A real evergreen wreath (sold by the Boys Scouts).

At least one snowball fight (no losers, just people who can’t stop laughing).

A cut-throat game of Yahtzee calmed by a cup of hot cocoa.

The radio ought to be playing all the Christmas favorites:

Little Drummer Boy.

Silent Night.

Let It Snow.

I’ll Be Home for Christmas.

Do You Hear What I Hear.

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.

The TV should be airing:

“It’s a Wonderful Life” with Jimmy Stewart. (I like Clarence.)

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” (That tree is precious.)

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (There’s just something about an elf that wants to be a dentist.)

“A Christmas Story” (Ralphie’s quest for a BB gun, fudge, the kid stuffed in the snowsuit, “fragile,” and Christmas dinner at the Chinese restaurant.)

I can’t really celebrate Christmas without a tiny manger with Baby Jesus, all three kings, a couple shepherds and one beautiful angel. A small flock of sheep and a donkey should be in the mix, too.

I’ve abandoned wrapping paper for the most part, preferring gift bags instead. But tradition is tradition and I find I can’t entirely give up curling ribbon.

I’m a sucker for the good old fashioned hard Christmas candy. Candy canes make me smile inside and out.

Santa — and all his helpers — are real. He — and they — are all about the happiness of the holiday. Even if we don’t believe in him anymore, we ought to have a little faith in his spirit — and the joy it can spread.

My favorite Christmas carol is “Joy to the World.” I’m not a good singer but when it comes time for the congregation to sing, I do — at the top of my lungs.

When I’m sitting in the crowded quiet of the church, waiting for midnight Mass to begin, the one song I want to hear is “O, Holy Night.” I sends chills through me every time. It touches my heart like none other.

The sounds and sights of Christmas comfort me every year. They inspire a certain measure of bliss and awe.

How the snow falls in a gentler way on Christmas Day. How little girls in red velvet dresses and black patent leather Mary Janes sparkle. How little boys tug at their ties and find their shirttails untucked.

How a coffee can filled with homemade chocolate chip cookies can be the “best-est” present under the tree.

How mistletoe makes me blush.

How the mad rush of the holiday season is calmed by the mellow chiming of a church bell. How the light of a single star brightens even the darkest soul.