When I was a child, we didn't have much money. My parents couldn't afford to spend a lot on Christmas presents, so often they were practical items. The big excitement of the Season was watching for the UPS truck. That truck meant gifts from our grandmother, who liked to be called Nana, in California. She faithfully sent presents each year. We were allowed to open one present the night before Christmas. The others had to wait until after the Christmas service the next morning. One year I opened the present from grandmother on Christmas Eve, a lovely sweater and skirt. The only problem was she'd put it all in one box, so the next morning I had nothing to open from her.
Another year my Nana sent me two small dolls, complete with a tiny plastic closet teaming with clothes. I played with that gift almost every day.
Since then another generation has grown. We've gotten to the point that with the nephews and nieces being older, the family does the grab bag thing to avoid the hassle of running around buying gifts for everyone.
I still enjoy receiving presents, but they're not as important as they used to be. What's more important is being with the loved ones in my life. My husband is with me. My parents are gone, but they left their love behind, plus some wonderful memories as gifts. My friend, Jeanne, has come in from Wisconsin to spend time with us. The DH's aunt and cousins make our Christmas Eve special every year.
On Christmas Day, I've got my brothers, their wives, my nieces and nephews here enjoying my home cooked meal.
Having these people in my life are the best present ever, so I have to say Santa has been very good to me.
What about you?
