It’s the thought that counts, right?
Three years ago, I suggested that our family draw names for Christmas presents since there aren't any kids and some of the members really couldn't afford to buy everyone presents.

Everyone thought it was a great idea; well, except for my mother. She complained about it and said that it took all the fun out of Christmas. Christmas morning after everyone opened their present, she said that she never wanted to do that again.

She was vetoed and we did it again last year. The people who didn't have a lot of money to spend really enjoyed the financial relief from not having to buy presents for the entire family. I enjoyed the gift of time that it gave me, as well as relief from shopping. I hate shopping, especially during the holidays.

This year hubby drew Mom's name. One of the things we've learned over the years is that when Mom gives you a Christmas or birthday list, you'd best not stray from it. If you do, you're going to hear mutterings and clucking. So, I asked Mom for her wish list. I got her reply this morning, saying that she found something she really likes in a little shop downtown and she'd like to buy it and then be reimbursed for it. Of course, she'll have it wrapped, she added.

Of course she will. I mean, isn't that what Christmas is all about? Making sure that the present you bought for yourself is wrapped? That, and surprises as in making sure that person giving the gift is completely surprised at what they've given.

I guess this means that Mom gets what she wants for Christmas. And that, my friends, will make everyone's Christmas a little bit more jolly.

RisibleGirl was blabbing on about another adventure on 12/03 at 04:12 AM

Go visit Einstein's blog!

  

FTS wrote:

Don't you hate that? It totally makes Christmas all about the gift, and that's just wrong. If someone gets me a gift, I don't want to know what it is. The enjoyment is in being surprsied.

Sadly, some people never learn the true joy comes from giving, not receiving. Any gift I get pales in comparison to seeing the happiness on the face of someone I care for if I've given them something they really like or will cherish.

But, alas, as they say.. if mom ain't happy, ain't nobody happy...


  

Chasmyn wrote:

When we lived in St. louis and we would do the holidays with my grandparents, they would give us each an amount of money that we were to spend on our gifts and bring them, wrapped, to the Christmas gathering. Then we would open them and exclaim how we all got exactly what we wanted and thank you Grandma and Grandpa. It was our tradition. But hey, at least we got exactly what we wanted!


  

Suzanne wrote:

get this....one year, my x mother in law had me go buy a birthday present for myself, have it wrapped, give it to her, who in turn gave it to her son(my x) to give to me. I was supposed to pretend I didn't know anything about it, and look surprised when I got exactly what I wanted! How sick is that? It was awful, and the worst present i've ever received. I can't stress enough now, that he is my "X".


  

Danny Krane wrote:

"I'm Danny Krane."


  

Nancy wrote:

Love your viewpoint on your mother.
My sister and I were just discussing our parents this morning, and how difficult they can become as they age. My mom put in her Christmas request, then went out and priced it and we were told NOT to get it it's to expensive ... no, she can't offer any more ideas - - so now, do we get it? or not?
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In case you're wondering....
On this day clear back in 2010 I wrote: The last day of Hospice training and other stuff…
On this day clear back in 2009 I wrote: Who knew that kicking the dog would make me feel better?
On this day clear back in 2008 I wrote: Playing in the boys’ sandbox
On this day clear back in 2007 I wrote: Cocoon
On this day clear back in 2005 I wrote: I don’t know where to begin with this post

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