CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 19

 A Christmas Wish

            "Christmas won't be Christmas without presents."                  "Little Women"  

Louisa May Alcott began her famous 1861 novel with this line. The four sisters are complaining because Christmas will be so different than the way they are used to celebrating. After a bit they start to count their blessings and decide to use the money they have and buy gifts for their mother, Marmee. On Christmas Day, they also give their holiday breakfast to a poor family. And everyone is happy for the moment.  

Of course, we all know it is better to give than to receive. Helping someone else is meant to make the giver feel good. And what better time than the holidays to be able to give. 

But, I cannot tell a lie. Especially at this time of year when we are all trying to be good. Most of us do like gifts. What we like the most may just be that someone has taken the time to think of us, and to bring us something that will surprise and delight both the giver and the receiver. 

I have made a lot of handmade gifts through the years. I think it is best to give something to someone who really knows and appreciates the time and effort that goes into crafted gifts. I have heard stories when the gift was thrown away with the wrapping paper, because it wasn't recognized as a special handmade token.

Without even thinking about it, can you name both the best and the worst gift you ever got?  My worst gift was probably clothes that were too small or way too big. Both made me wonder what the giver was thinking about my size. Also feet pajamas. My best gift was plane tickets to visit my dad when he was seriously ill. And anything my kids made for me.

One year my mother-in-law gave everyone in the family $20.00 and told them to buy themselves something they wanted, and then to wrap it and bring it to Christmas. Then we would each open our gift and tell her why we chose it. It was actually really fun to hear every one's choices. She really enjoyed it. So did we. And she didn't have to worry about shopping and wrapping and getting us things we didn't like and that didn't fit.

A gift that is really appreciated is a coupon for a service. Who doesn't appreciate free babysitting or an hour or two of house cleaning. Make these yourself and they can be just as personalized as you want.

When my oldest daughter was in college, she bought everybody a gift from the Dollar Store. This was way before it was a popular place to shop. Her choices were hilarious to unwrap and she didn't spend a lot of money she didn't have. At that time, the family bought gifts for everyone. Later, we started to draw names instead of buying for every person in the extended family.

We've never had extravagant Christmas gifts in our family (except for those plane tickets). In fact, now we are doing white elephant or thrifted gifts that can be stolen away in a very entertaining game.

It might not seem like Christmas to some without a truckload of presents, but a simple, cosier holiday can ensure a good time for all.