I Am A Reformed Gift Creeper

Holiday Greetings from #JaneNotDoe

It is two days before Christmas and my small town is buzzing with merriness…..traffic is heavier, stores are busy, and last minute gifts are pushing service deliveries to the limit. If any of you are like me, I am checking the front porch every hour on the hour for the last bit of packages to arrive. To add to the excitement my children (4 girls) are beaming about our upcoming trip to the stores to grab last minute secret Santa gifts. As a tradition, we do it every year to add a bit of fun to the gift (treasure) hunt.

I remember as a little girl my mom (who I miss every Christmas since she transitioned in 2010) would wait until Christmas Eve, to wrap and place our gifts under the tree. She had finally figured out – that her children did not have the self discipline to not tear the gifts at the very corners to see what it is was we would be getting on Christmas morning. Of course, we neatly taped the corners again. Needless to say my children carry the same traits of my siblings and I. They too are “gift creepers”.

As a reformed “gift creeper”, I no longer wrangle wrapping paper. As a matter of fact all of the girls’ presents go in recycled gift bags (please don’t judge me – lol). Not only that, but their actual gifts appear under the tree late Christmas Eve. Speaking of which, our live tree this year, was picked by my oldest daughter and the name chosen “Esmeralda”. Every year for the past three years, we have bought live trees and given each a name. After all, that tree becomes a part of the family for the month and half we have it in our home. So naturally we bond. Might I also add, this is the first year that I allowed the girls to decorate the tree completely. I wasn’t in a “everything has to be perfect mood”, for once in a long time and I am proud of me. (smile)

Let me end with this. While out and about in the hustle and bustle on yesterday, I was greeted by this fine gentleman, “Gunny Clause“. Upon seeing him, my heart smiled and I felt the genuineness of Christmas… the spirit of Christmas is here. I immediately thought to myself, “covid cannot stop this season, of love and selfless giving.”

Scripture: “And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” [Matthew 2:11]

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all & may love and laughter be your light……….