Sunday, December 21, 2008

A Little Different Christmas

We don’t have a Christmas tree at our house.

I have to confess that it doesn’t bother me one bit. It isn’t because we can’t afford one or that we are in some state of holiday denial. I’m not married to Mr. Scrooge and we are not Jewish. If I felt like schlepping all of that stuff out of the attic my family would certainly be willing to allow me to put it all up. (Isn’t that how it works in most homes?). For the first time in 31 years we aren’t putting up (or taking down) a traditional Christmas tree.

This year we are doing things a little different. This is the “every-other-year” that our oldest and newly married daughter is spending with her in-laws. The kids let us know back when they started dating that this would be an every-other-year agreement, one year our house and the next year with Jon’s family. I am in complete agreement with this little game (Until grandchildren arrive. Once that happens, I plan to renegotiate). Our son lives and works in Baltimore and he is single so he volunteers for holiday duty. Instead of Christmas he plans a trip home mid-January for his baby sister’s birthday. This year "family" amounts to just my husband, our youngest daughter Lindsay and I, and we have decided to fly to Phoenix to visit my favorite Aunt and Uncle.

Arranging a trip for all three of us with busy schedules is almost impossible so the holiday seemed like the perfect time. I’m sure we will have a wonderful, memorable holiday, but I couldn’t help feeling a bit guilty about not having a traditional holiday for Lindsay’s senior year. To make it a bit more fun, I decided to give her one of her gifts each day for the twelve days before Christmas. (I realize that the traditional 12 days of Christmas happen AFTER Christmas, but this is more of a gift giving excuse rather than a biblical celebration of Epiphany).

Lindsay’s first gift was waiting outside her bedroom door last Sunday. Monday she drove to school and my husband stopped by mid-day and left one on the front seat of the car. Tuesday it was waiting at her place at the dinner table. Then we got creative. Wednesday her best friend presented it. Thursday her favorite teacher got involved. Friday my brother-in-law who was in town on business dropped by the restaurant where she works to make the delivery and Saturday the Chef and his wife at work did the honors.

I can’t tell you about the rest of the plans, because she sometimes takes a look this blog. What I can tell you is that it isn’t the gift that counts, it’s the giving. Lindsay hasn’t really cared about what is actually IN the package but she has LOVED the delivery. Having special people in her life enjoy the fun and be excited about the plan has “made” this Christmas for her. It has been fun to watch! Being a devious mom, I did consider having my husband make arrangements with our local police department (he has connections) to have her “pulled over” when driving to school and and have the officer, instead of giving her a ticket, hand her a gift. One of my customers pointed out that might not be a good idea; there is a good chance she will be in charge of selecting my nursing home some day. Good point.

Here’s wishing you and yours a safe, joyous and wonderful holiday!

Karen

3 comments:

Sweet P said...

I love your idea of the 12 gifts and the different ways to give them to your daughter. Your trip sounds like a wonderful idea too. You are capturing the true meaning of Christmas! Enjoy your holidays!

PG Wagner said...

Since I'm beginning to panic that my shopping isn't done and Christmas is two days away.....can I just say that having TWELVE gifts purchased, wrapped and creatively presented is astounding to me?! Not to mention re-theme-ing your blog! I nominate you for Overachiever of the Year!

Anonymous said...

How exciting to receive gifts that way! I agree that it was not so much the gift you were giving her but how creative you were in the presentation of each one. That was a great idea!
Also, love the new look to the blogging site. Keep up the good work!!