Countdown To Christmas

Countdown time to Christmas has begun. Last night we saw our grandsons and the last thing they said was, "Tomorrow is the Eve before Christmas Eve. See you in two days!" It's been a long time since I've felt such child-like excitement about Christmas.

For more years than I can recall, we had separate Christmas celebrations with my family. My parents had been divorced since I was 10 years old, so over time we spent Christmas Eve and day in the car traveling from house to house to my Mom's, my Dad's, and then to my in-law's. It wasn't very relaxing and I felt badly taking the kids all over town when I knew they wanted to stay hime to play with their toys.

In 1987 I decided to solve the issue of multiple celebrations, and it turned out to be one of the best Christmases ever. My brother could not remember having Christmas as a family with Mom and Dad, so I took the opportunity to invite everyone for dinner and to open gifts. I was a little nervous, but it was a day that my brother and I will always remember.

This week my heart hurts a little. It's the second year without Great Grandma, the last of the older generation. We miss her so much because she always put family first. Christmas is still centered on family but as the dynamics change, our experiences change too. On Sunday everyone will come to our house to open presents and share a meal. This year they'll come in the afternoon, following their own time for gift giving, church, and time with the other grandparents. But our children and their precious children will be with us - it doesn't get any better than that.

Merry Christmas to you, however you spend the day, and if we don't touch bases before, have a Happy New Year too.

Mall Psychology and the Shopping Experience

Serious mall shopping is an activity I don't experience all that often; actually it only happens during the Christmas season. Yesterday my daughter and I spent most of the day together, which was special in its self. She's married and works full time, so it's hard to coordinate our schedules, but the stars aligned just right.

After a delicious lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant, we hit the stores. For a Tuesday, it was quite busy, and it didn't take long for us to get caught up in the spirit of things. My daughter needed an item in Bath and Body Works, which I had visited the day before, so I was sure I was immune to impulse buying. But I fell for the first special staged at the front door. "SALE: Today Only - purchase 3 for $6, regular price $15." Who could resist? Not me!

Next, we went to Eddie Bauer, strictly to say "Hi" to my friend who works there. Right. Twenty minutes later we walked out with two more purchases. Ka-Ching. We were on a roll. On to Penny's to find socks for the men in our family. But why buy one package when you can buy two, especially when they're on sale?

We were getting pretty thirsty by then so we stopped at the Starbucks Cafe in Barnes & Noble. But first, why not look at books? You guessed it, we each bought a book as well as a delicious beverage.

Lesson for the day: Combine shopping buddy with a mall chock full of fellow shoppers, irresistible specials, restaurants, and Christmas and it's the perfect formula for the ultimate social experience.

Gift Bags Save Time, Eliminate Frustration

Gift wrapping has never been my favorite activity and I always wait till the last minute. Not this year, though. I have declared war on the whole pile of presents and attacked it enthusiastically. I discovered it's like most unpleasant projects, once begun, it can be fun.

My husband and daughter are the real experts at wrapping, and the result is: packages with military corners and perfectly placed tape, bows, and ribbon. They even coordinate gift tags with the paper, and if possible with the recipient. It's a shame to have to rip their presents open.

I have gotten better at gift wrapping, but the awkwardly shaped items always end up in gift bags. Gift bags, what an invention! As Christmas grows closer so does the collection of gift bags under our tree.

This year all my wrapping will be done TEN DAYS before Christmas. Wow, this is December 15. I better get busy. Happy wrapping, all.

Christmas Cards - A Vanishing Tradition?

Each year we get fewer Christmas cards than the year before; if only by one or two. My brother wants to "save trees" so he makes a phone call, which is really a wonderful way to say, "Merry Christmas." Some may Facebook or email their Christmas wishes this year, which is clearly economical, but rather impersonal.

Our postoffice was busy today, but everyone seemed to be in good spirits and didn't complain about queuing into the lobby. Maybe they were happy that our city has a working postoffice this year. Who knows what the future will bring?

I hope the practice of sending Christmas cards never dies out. From mid-December on, I look forward to checking the mailbox, and so far I haven't been disappointed.

Freezing Cold Outside, Warm and Toasty Inside

In my previous post, I spoke metaphorically of heavy fog and its ability to envelop our physical environment as well as our emotional and spiritual world. In reality, bone chilling fog and ice has settled into our community, but my heart has never been warmer and more at peace.

Last evening I hosted a book signing at Hastings Books and I saw two friends from my past, one coincidentally and one who came specifically to buy my book. It was one of those serendipitous moments, a welcome interlude, a small miracle.

God brings people and situations into our lives, not by accident, but by design. I will never understand His plan, but am grateful to be a part of it.

So keep an eye out for your little Christmas miracle, the moment that warms your heart on a freezing, cold night.

Forecast: Sunny and Warm

When life throws everything at you all at once, a heavy fog seems to cast an emotional and spiritual heaviness that envelops your mind, heart, body, and soul. Recent unpleasant events beyond my control have sent a lingering, unstable weather pattern into my flight path. I almost hear the pilot announcing,"Folks, we are in for a little turbulence, so fasten your seat belts." So as I look outside at the gray sky, I have to remind myself that just above the clouds, the sun is shining all bright and warm.

Despite the current situation, I'm grateful for the Christmas season, my family, and for every blessing I enjoy. I know the pilot will soon turn off the "Fasten Seat Belt" sign because fair weather is on its way.

Gift From the Past

The mind, particularly the memory part, is an amazing thing. Yesterday I was teleported to my childhood by an item in an antique shop. Hanging on a cup hook was a child-size bracelet exactly like the one I had many years ago. The pleasant reminder of my long, lost possession was accompanied with guilt. How could I have forgotten about my favorite bracelet?

My charm bracelet, a present from my father for Christmas or Easter, was faux pearl with eleven charms: a tiny mother of pearl Bible and ten gold octagons with the Ten Commandments imprinted on each.

As I held the doll-size trinket, I felt five years old again; better yet, here was an early Christmas present. My husband smiled, knowing that I'd ask to buy it. I didn't right away, only after thinking about it over a cup of coffee. You got it! The pearl bracelet will sit in my jewelry box until my granddaughter can slip it on her wrist.

Merry Christmas. Make good memories.