“Christmas is hard to forget.”
Today is as cold as yesterday, but the air is still. I went to get my papers and noticed a few of the giant ornaments had fallen from the tree. I was glad they hadn’t broken. I still have to replace the flood light. I also need to go to the dump today.
Last night Henry went out but cowered at the bottom of the stairs and would go no further. I told him to go pee, but he came running up the stairs. I looked and saw something black lying between two trees. I figured that’s what scared my mighty dog. I made my way tentatively down the stairs to check. I figured it could be a dead animal or even a live one hiding and waiting for prey. It was neither. It was a black trash bag which had flown from my chiminea to the yard.
I went shopping yesterday to some of my favorite shops. I was able to get a few Christmas presents and a couple of presents for me. I’ll just act surprised.When I was a kid, I was never the sort to go hunting for my Christmas presents as I did like surprises. One year, though, I accidentally found a bag with a couple of books in it. I was weak. I couldn’t resist. I read one of the books before Christmas.
My mother and father used to tease us. My father would say, “Just wait until you see your big present.” My mother would and say,”You’re getting the best present.” One year I helped my mother wrap. She’d hand me a box and I’d wrap it then ask what name went on the tag. Many times it was mine. I still tease my sisters. Yesterday I told my sister Sheila she was going to love the present I’d bought on my shopping spree. I was lovingly remembering shades of my parents.
I think new pajamas on Christmas Eve was a tradition shared by everyone I knew. The wrapped pajamas were under the tree, and on Christmas Eve my mother would tell us we could open one present. She never duped us. We knew it was going to be the pajamas. I always wondered why we got pajamas. It wasn’t like Santa would see us. I guess we were dressed for the pictures.
I have new Christmas flannel pajama pants with Santa on them. I’ve been saving them for Christmas Eve. I’m a big believer in tradition.
Explore posts in the same categories: Musings
December 1, 2019 at 5:21 pm
We were always the one present family. I would sing at St Mary and St Nicholas Church in Leatherhead on Christmas Eve and on the morn we would receive the gift from my parents. My Mother decided early on that a Christmas stocking was a waste on money and so that concept went very early to the wall. I pretty much stayed single gift until coming to the new world
Santa Claus replaced Father Christmas, I left behind Christmas Tv of Morecambe and Wise and Dads Army and Mike Yarwood and moved into a TV free day and multiple gifts for Mrs MDH which do not include wrapped Pajamas. Of course as the kids were growing it all had to be videotaped and has never been watched since
I opened door 1 of the Advent Box this morning, to be gifted socks. Solid start, my socks had become inappropriately “holy” for the season and needed replacement. 4 guests remain…. perhaps down to 1 by tomorrow
December 1, 2019 at 7:07 pm
My Dear Hedley,
We always had multiple presents, but my favorite was always my stocking. We got them every year until my mother died then I did one for each of my two sisters, and they did one for me. They now get a couple of big gifts and several small stocking stuffers. I also do some for my two friends. I love shopping for the stockings. I get to be whimsical and funny.
I think I would have kept Father Christmas around. I have one I needlepointed from a kit I bought in London. He is magnificent. Father Christmas will be front and center in my living room.
I also opened my first door this morning. It was a Christmas town, no socks.
Are you having a full house for Christmas too?
December 1, 2019 at 6:40 pm
Oops, December 1st and I forgot to open my advent calendar. Well, two for tomorrow. It was a busy day, our concert went well and I’m tired now.
Kinky Friedman – Jesus in Pajamas
December 1, 2019 at 6:56 pm
Birgit,
I love Kinky Friedman. He also wrote mysteries with him and his cohorts as the main characters. He is also a musician in his novels. He is the Jewish cowboy.
I opened my Advent calendar today, but during the season I know I’ll get behind.
This is so much Kinky.
December 1, 2019 at 8:25 pm
Kinky’s group is called, “The Texas Jewboys”, he even ran for governor of Texas several years ago. His parents ran a Jewish summer camp when he was growing up.
December 1, 2019 at 8:27 pm
His books are wonderful as are his cohorts. Thanks for the correction.
December 1, 2019 at 8:43 pm
Hi Kat,
When we were kids we always wanted the big present on the first night of Chanukah. That left the other seven nights for the lessor presents. In reality giving gifts on Chanukah is a new tradition which grew out of not living in a ghetto or having to worry about the Cossacks killing you. 🙂 Traditionally, playing a gambling game with a top called a dreidel using chocolate money morphed into receiving gifts each of the eight nights. We still play with dreidels and eat the chocolate coins. Chanukah is a very minor holiday in the Hewish calendar that has been blown out of proportion because of its proximity to Christmas.
I’m so glad the long weekend is over and I get to go back to work tomorrow. Today was sunny with temperatures in the 50s with brisk winds and clear skies.
December 1, 2019 at 10:47 pm
Hi Bob,
I’m going to scream. I have written this reply four times. The last time I was just about done. I hit something and away went the reply. I’ll try one more time.
I am getting rain while my sister north of Boston is getting snow. My friends from New Hampshire are getting so much snow school has already been called off. I am so glad we are not getting snow.
Every year my mother put a bag of gold coins in our stockings. One year the coins were for Chanukah. That became a tradition. I give them to my sister every year still.
It makes sense that a kid would want the best present first. I know I would.
Enjoy work tomorrow.