As a child, the holidays held the gift of magic. Some believed in Santa, some worked extra hard to be on the nice list, and some just hoped that the whole family would be together.
Times change, attitudes adjust, and expectations fluctuate.
When I was two (see picture) my parents gave me the best gifts ever, a table and chairs and tea set. I’ve been told that I played with those gifts for a very long time, and the delight I see in my face is something that still resonates in my heart.
There will be gifts given and received that fill us with joy, and sometimes with the necessity to paste on a smile and say thank you even though the present might end up in the back of a closet.
What do you remember of your childhood Christmas? Did you have a real tree? Did you help decorate it? Did it ever get knocked down (due to animal, child, drunken uncle)? Did you go with your parents to get the tree? Did you have a sleigh ride and chop it yourself, or did you buy it at the corner store?
Were lists mandatory in your family “No list, no gift!”? Did your parents buy you what you asked for, or was it always a surprise? How did you handle getting boring gifts (like socks – until you become an adult and you pray that you’ll find some under the tree)? What was the best gift you remember receiving? And what was the worst?
When did you start buying gifts for others? Did you ever make your presents, and if so, what were they? Were you crafty and present lovely sweaters, scarfs and mittens to family and friends? Did you have to earn money doing chores to buy the gifts, or did you get an allowance? Who surprised you most by their delight in a gift you gave?
Did you attend religious celebrations on either Christmas Eve or Day? Who went and how old were you? How much did those celebrations mean to you, and do you continue them now?
Did you have turkey or something else? What side dishes do you remember having as a child? Did you have an extended family or just your immediate siblings and parents? Did extended family always hold dinners at the same house, or did they rotate locations? Who made the best meals? What deserts were holiday specials?
As you grew and left home, how did you celebrate the holidays? Did you go home to your family, or did your family come to you? What traditions did you keep, and what new ones did you create if you had a family of your own? (My husband and I always had a real tree until the boys left home. It was too much work for us as we got older, so we bought a birch tree with a ton of lights on the branches. We love it.).
How has your gift giving changed? Do you still need a list, or do you listen to people all year and figure out what they might like (someone talks about a new artist they’re listening to and you buy their new CD)? Do you give experiences rather than things? Do you share your time or offer a hand to those in need? Have you kept the consumerism to a minimum?
Your Turn:
- Find a picture of yourself from a childhood Christmas. Who is in the photo with you? What did you get that year?
- If you still have unused decorations from your parents, take them out and decide if you want to keep them or pass them on.
- Give yourself some grace this holiday season. Give the gift of you, and don’t worry about finding the perfect gift, setting the high-end table, or cooking the gourmet meal. People won’t remember any of that. But they will remember how you made them feel. (Yes, I stole that from Maya Angelou, and she was a very wise woman!)
Happy Holidays to Everyone! Stay safe and look after each other.