CHRISTMAS YOUNG
Packing 4 kids into a station wagon a few weeks before Christmas is difficult in any weather, but when the path to where it is parked is slippery … that’s a struggle. We were headed to a small nearby city where there were several tightly packed stores to do shopping. Everyone got a bath, dressed, then out into the bitter weather while it was still daylight in order to get there before the streetlights came on.
Snowflakes floated lightly in the air and did not melt when they landed. We drove slowly through our small town with Christmas decorations on every lamp post. There were no snowflakes up there, but Santas, elves, stars, candy canes, angels, and enormous ornaments. Banners proclaimed “Merry Christmas,” and “Noel.” There was Christmas music playing in the streets from loudspeakers.
After turning right on the route to the nearby city we could see houses with Christmas bulbs outlining the roofs. A few homes had manger scenes, a group of plastic carolers standing by a lamp post, or jolly Santas on their lawns, with lights. Even country folk love to celebrate.
Entering the nearby city there was a repeat of our small town, except the decorations were larger and fancier. Familiar Christmas music was playing there, too. Mom found a parking space behind main street and we all walked to the back entrance of the first store. By the time we entered my toes were beginning to feel the cold. To be honest, I had forgotten to use the bathroom before leaving and was feeling a bit uncomfortable, but could not imagine using a store bathroom, if they even had a public one.
McCrory’s Five and Dime had ancient hardwood floors (it was built in 1883) and beautiful Christmas decorations hung from high-test fishing lines tied to the ceiling. There were lighted displays, even a sleigh led by reindeer with a Santa and a huge bag bulging with wrapped packages (tilted as though it was just taking off). Standard Christmas music greeted all shoppers. Not once did we hear “Seasons Greetings” or “Happy Holidays.” Every shopper cheerfully chirped “Merry Christmas” whenever they passed one another.
I was looking for toys and good gifts for each of the others (while the others were mere feet away). It didn’t matter because they were looking for gifts for me and the others at the same time. Mom would pay for them all when we reached the register, the proprietor wearing an elf cap. This was when he or she would finally make enough money to meet the next year’s obligations. Maybe this year they would get a vacation. So, it was a joyous time for them and the store hours were extended for an extra half hour.
Not every gift was purchased there. The oldest was sent back to the car with the bags while the rest of us waited. When he returned we shuffled down half a block, past the Courier Express offices, on the snowy sidewalk to another packed store. I was glad to get back inside because my toes were again feeling the cold. Many of the same items were for sale here, but some different. It didn’t matter, we each had our small written lists and some were crossed off. We had fewer gifts to purchase. We could concentrate on those. Truthfully, it didn’t seem to help. The last person remaining on the list was always the hardest one to buy something for. Practical or Fun? I wanted to buy fun gifts, but practical gifts (like slippers, robe, or perfume) were easiest to find. Sometimes when buying gifts for others you are disappointed. I know I was. Nevertheless, we didn’t have all night and it was already after 7 pm. The stores closed at 7:30. In the end it was time that made a few of the choices.
The neat thing about Christmas giving is that it is the desire to please the recipient that counts most. The recipients knew that there hadn’t been much time or money in the budget. They were still excited to find what was hidden behind the poorly wrapped exteriors of boxes and bags.
The Christmas season of my youth was exciting. We had a bowl of Diamond-brand in-the-shell nuts and a nutcracker on the kitchen table. We had spiced cider. We had days off of school, not because of “winter” but because of “Christmas”. We had a real tree with hot bulbs which could only be on for an hour or so each night (to prevent a fire). By the time Christmas day came we already had more a foot of snow on the ground. We still hoped for more. We’d need it for our toboggan run on the hill.
Of course there was a special meal of ham or chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce (made from fresh Ocean Spray cranberries), dressing made from home-cubed and dried bread, pickled beets (yucky, I thought), corn, beans, maybe a casserole as well. So much food that neither the table nor our plates could contain it all. It was one of the most special meals of the year.
As the evening approached we would read the Christmas story from the Gospels and thank God for His goodness.
Young Christmases are the best. I hope yours to come is just as memorable.
[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him if you post it elsewhere.
ALSO, Don is always open to offer his thoughts on various topics. If you have a specific request, you can let him know in a comment; he reads – and replies to – them all. ~ Sherry]
See more GUEST POSTS from Don!
Comments