Christmas Present and Christmas Presents
Christmas Present and Christmas Presents
I cannot comment on Christmas present or presents unless I say a few words more about Christmas past.
Santa would leave a small gift in the stockings hung on the fireplace, and one gift for the kids, unwrapped in front of the fireplace. The presents under the tree were from Mom and Dad.
The girls would get the doll of the season, and son would get G.I. Joe or some kind of cowboy. (There was a time when the middle child got a pair of boots. She never forgave Santa.)
Everything came from Penney’s catalog. Mrs. Claus was not a shopper. Today she is Grandma Claus and does not have to do the shopping. Thank goodness.
I
This week I got a little taste of what shopping is like now. I attended a Christmas party for work and everyone was talking about Christmas and what the kids were getting.
The guy next to me was telling about what his kids were getting. I heard him say, "Yah, that was six bills, and my wife is just starting." It must have been one of those play stations that people were camped out to buy. All I heard was SIX BILLS and " she’s not done yet."
Then the woman next to him had to top him. And so it went.
I am not speechless very often. But there I sat with the head of the snowman cookie I was eating, melting in my mouth.
I took a breath in, but no breath came out. " Be still my heart," I thought. Breathe. This is not your shopping trip." It is none of my business. But I am going to comment anyway.
I don’t mean to offend anyone, so I’ll go for everyone. What the heck are we thinking of? Is there nothing a kid wants nowadays that does not have batteries or cords. Or doesn’t hook into a belt, hang from an ear, or lay in the palm of the hand?
The Sunday paper had a cartoon where the mom was pointing to her son, and saying, "Your room is full of toys and electronics. Go to MY room."
I know. We want to get out kids everything they want. The electronics industry does a good job of marketing.
Now what happens next year? Will six bills be enough? I think not. Tell me it’s none of my business. I know it.
But I can’t help remembering when I used to look in on my kids on Christmas night, cuddling their dolls or stuffed animals as they slept. Can you cuddle a play station or an I Pod?
"Each to their own", my mom used to say. Okay, Mom, I defer. I hope everyone gets what they want this Christmas.
Whatever the gift, whatever the cost, I wish for you what my favorite "gift" is every
Christmas Eve: The whole family, home safe, spending the night-while Mrs. Grandma Claus, fills the stockings for Santa,
If we do not have the joy of Christmas present, let us remember a Christmas past, when all were together and happy. Let us remember what the holiday season is really about.
Peace and Love to all.
With only days before Christmas, a good holiday recipe would be apropos. I don’t have one today.
There are people (who shall remain nameless) complain because I am so busy cooking for the days ahead, I forget we have to eat today. So I’m getting out the crock pot.
My editor’s fiancé bought her a crock pot with a book of recipes. This goes in mine on the 23rd.
Amy’s Easy Crock Pot Chicken
you will need:
(have you tried those crock pot liners? You won’t even have to scrub out your pot)
dry Italian Dressing packet
4 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
1 cup chicken broth
put chicken in crock pot
top with dressing
pour broth over all
Slow cook until done
Serve with rice, pasta, or bread dressing
Enjoy: food, drink, and each other
I cannot comment on Christmas present or presents unless I say a few words more about Christmas past.
Santa would leave a small gift in the stockings hung on the fireplace, and one gift for the kids, unwrapped in front of the fireplace. The presents under the tree were from Mom and Dad.
The girls would get the doll of the season, and son would get G.I. Joe or some kind of cowboy. (There was a time when the middle child got a pair of boots. She never forgave Santa.)
Everything came from Penney’s catalog. Mrs. Claus was not a shopper. Today she is Grandma Claus and does not have to do the shopping. Thank goodness.
I
This week I got a little taste of what shopping is like now. I attended a Christmas party for work and everyone was talking about Christmas and what the kids were getting.
The guy next to me was telling about what his kids were getting. I heard him say, "Yah, that was six bills, and my wife is just starting." It must have been one of those play stations that people were camped out to buy. All I heard was SIX BILLS and " she’s not done yet."
Then the woman next to him had to top him. And so it went.
I am not speechless very often. But there I sat with the head of the snowman cookie I was eating, melting in my mouth.
I took a breath in, but no breath came out. " Be still my heart," I thought. Breathe. This is not your shopping trip." It is none of my business. But I am going to comment anyway.
I don’t mean to offend anyone, so I’ll go for everyone. What the heck are we thinking of? Is there nothing a kid wants nowadays that does not have batteries or cords. Or doesn’t hook into a belt, hang from an ear, or lay in the palm of the hand?
The Sunday paper had a cartoon where the mom was pointing to her son, and saying, "Your room is full of toys and electronics. Go to MY room."
I know. We want to get out kids everything they want. The electronics industry does a good job of marketing.
Now what happens next year? Will six bills be enough? I think not. Tell me it’s none of my business. I know it.
But I can’t help remembering when I used to look in on my kids on Christmas night, cuddling their dolls or stuffed animals as they slept. Can you cuddle a play station or an I Pod?
"Each to their own", my mom used to say. Okay, Mom, I defer. I hope everyone gets what they want this Christmas.
Whatever the gift, whatever the cost, I wish for you what my favorite "gift" is every
Christmas Eve: The whole family, home safe, spending the night-while Mrs. Grandma Claus, fills the stockings for Santa,
If we do not have the joy of Christmas present, let us remember a Christmas past, when all were together and happy. Let us remember what the holiday season is really about.
Peace and Love to all.
With only days before Christmas, a good holiday recipe would be apropos. I don’t have one today.
There are people (who shall remain nameless) complain because I am so busy cooking for the days ahead, I forget we have to eat today. So I’m getting out the crock pot.
My editor’s fiancé bought her a crock pot with a book of recipes. This goes in mine on the 23rd.
Amy’s Easy Crock Pot Chicken
you will need:
(have you tried those crock pot liners? You won’t even have to scrub out your pot)
dry Italian Dressing packet
4 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
1 cup chicken broth
put chicken in crock pot
top with dressing
pour broth over all
Slow cook until done
Serve with rice, pasta, or bread dressing
Enjoy: food, drink, and each other
posted by Shirley | 9:44 AM
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