The stockings were hung by the chimney with care. Now they, and all of their contents, are strewn around the living room as if they were unwrapped by sleep deprived children who had nothing but a Christmas cookie, a cinnamon roll, and a donut hole for breakfast. Wait, that is exactly what happened!
As my children's pores actually seep sugar, I am reminded of Christmas past. After celebrating 39-ish Christmases, one comes to realize that some are simply more fruitful than others. Of course we all know the true meaning of Christmas has nothing to do with the items carefully wrapped under the tree, but the gifts are delightful nonetheless less!
I remember one Christmas when I went downstairs and discovered the Barbie Dream House. Santa outdid himself that year. My 5 year old brain nearly exploded with excitement when I saw it had a working elevator. Ken and Barbie were finally homeowners! The three of us were so happy!
I also remember a Christmas when I was 12 or 13 years old. I was becoming less interested in toys and more interested in clothes. Among other things, I asked Santa for a turtleneck. Well, Santa outdid himself that year, too. I opened a white turtleneck, a cream turtleneck, a mother of pearl turtleneck, a red turtleneck, a crimson turtleneck, a scarlet turtleneck, a green turtleneck, an olive turtleneck, a forest green turtleneck, a black turtleneck, a black mock turtleneck, a grey turtleneck, and an orange turtleneck. I'm forgetting a few because I am nearly certain I received 15 turtlenecks that Christmas.
I watched as my younger sister opened a present. She received a cool new board game. I unwrapped a turtleneck. She opened a box with costume jewelry, and then I unwrapped a turtleneck. She opened a box of art supplies, and then I unwrapped a turtleneck. She unwrapped a a box of Christmas chocolates, and then I unwrapped a turtleneck. You get the picture.
I was old enough to know that no one should cry on Christmas. Tears on Christmas really anger Santa! Truth is that I felt like bursting into tears around turtleneck number 6. By turtleneck number 11, however, I gave into the humor of it all.
I've never seen my father so angry at Santa! I started to feel bad for Santa. Poor old Santa! He had been delivering items to good little boys and girls for years. He was bound to make a mistake like this at some point. Santa felt horrible (I have it on good authority), but you can't possibly expect Santa to get it right all of the time.
To this day, my family still laughs about the Turtleneck Christmas.
I was reminded of Turtleneck Christmas this morning when my son unwrapped two identical Mario Brothers toys within 10 minutes of each other. He was thrilled the first time he opened one of the gifts, but he was puzzled and confused when he opened the second identical one. All I could tell him was, "At least it's not a turtleneck!"
May you have a lovely Christmas filled with all of your favorite things even a turtleneck or two!
As my children's pores actually seep sugar, I am reminded of Christmas past. After celebrating 39-ish Christmases, one comes to realize that some are simply more fruitful than others. Of course we all know the true meaning of Christmas has nothing to do with the items carefully wrapped under the tree, but the gifts are delightful nonetheless less!
I remember one Christmas when I went downstairs and discovered the Barbie Dream House. Santa outdid himself that year. My 5 year old brain nearly exploded with excitement when I saw it had a working elevator. Ken and Barbie were finally homeowners! The three of us were so happy!
I also remember a Christmas when I was 12 or 13 years old. I was becoming less interested in toys and more interested in clothes. Among other things, I asked Santa for a turtleneck. Well, Santa outdid himself that year, too. I opened a white turtleneck, a cream turtleneck, a mother of pearl turtleneck, a red turtleneck, a crimson turtleneck, a scarlet turtleneck, a green turtleneck, an olive turtleneck, a forest green turtleneck, a black turtleneck, a black mock turtleneck, a grey turtleneck, and an orange turtleneck. I'm forgetting a few because I am nearly certain I received 15 turtlenecks that Christmas.
I watched as my younger sister opened a present. She received a cool new board game. I unwrapped a turtleneck. She opened a box with costume jewelry, and then I unwrapped a turtleneck. She opened a box of art supplies, and then I unwrapped a turtleneck. She unwrapped a a box of Christmas chocolates, and then I unwrapped a turtleneck. You get the picture.
I was old enough to know that no one should cry on Christmas. Tears on Christmas really anger Santa! Truth is that I felt like bursting into tears around turtleneck number 6. By turtleneck number 11, however, I gave into the humor of it all.
I've never seen my father so angry at Santa! I started to feel bad for Santa. Poor old Santa! He had been delivering items to good little boys and girls for years. He was bound to make a mistake like this at some point. Santa felt horrible (I have it on good authority), but you can't possibly expect Santa to get it right all of the time.
To this day, my family still laughs about the Turtleneck Christmas.
I was reminded of Turtleneck Christmas this morning when my son unwrapped two identical Mario Brothers toys within 10 minutes of each other. He was thrilled the first time he opened one of the gifts, but he was puzzled and confused when he opened the second identical one. All I could tell him was, "At least it's not a turtleneck!"
May you have a lovely Christmas filled with all of your favorite things even a turtleneck or two!
Ah, the Turtleneck Christmas! I remember so well. I was the lucky one, receiving only 7 turtlenecks, although you did get a navy striped one that I have been forever jealous of!
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