Gift Giving That's Fun

This season always evokes memories of past traditions and how they have merged with new ones. For example, my parents always had an open house for the neighborhood on Christmas eve, and my mother cooked and served creamed oysters on toast. She wore a fancy christmassy skirt that had sparkles on it; she was in her element as she welcomed people into our home. We are having a neighborhood party, but later in the week. I will think of my mother as I prepare (but will not wear a sparkly christmassy skirt, sorry to disappoint you).

The next morning when we opened gifts, my father always gave my mother something surprising. One year it was a pink feather boa. She loved it—even though it would never be anything she would seriously wear.

It’s those fun presents that make it all so wonderful. There are always those things we expect to get (because we ask for them); but then it’s those unexpected gifts that a loved ones finds, something that made them think of you. It’s comforting to know that someone knows you, or at the very least, enjoys making you laugh.

Happy holidays, all! I am incredibly grateful for you, and thank you for your patronage, kind thoughts and fascinating comments. Substack has changed my career in many ways, the least of which is the continued connection with you.