I Love Christmas

 

I Love Christmas

                by Judy

 

When I was a child my parents took me to the variety store each December to look at the dolls. “Pick out the one you like best,” they said. On Christmas morning, I was always surprised that Santa knew which doll I liked for it was under our tree. Some years Santa brought several dresses for my new doll, and I wondered how he knew to sew them from the same material as several of my dresses.

On Christmas Eve we went to my grandma’s house for dinner and a gift exchange. The next morning we opened the presents Santa brought and went to my other grandma’s for still more food and presents. I enjoyed Christmas, but I did not realize the hours of preparation needed for the good meals nor the time spent shopping for and wrapping the presents.

When I was older and no longer living with my parents, Christmas was still easy for me. I spent one Saturday afternoon each December buying presents for my family and wrapped the gifts while listening to Christmas carols and drinking hot chocolate. I still spent Christmas Eve and day with my family. I had not been home for the busy preparations for Christmas.

There came a year, though, when I was married and had a baby. That Christmas was not so easy. I thought my new daughter needed a red velvet Christmas dress, hand-sewn by me. Of course, I wanted the perfect doll, the right tea set, and special books for her, too. But, when could I shop? There were diapers to change, cereal to wash out of my hair, and laundry to do.

Before long, I had four children. If I once thought it difficult to shop for a small baby girl and keep up with the housework, I soon realized it was almost impossible to shop for trains, watches, sweaters, jeans, dolls, books, etc. for four children—and keep up with the housework and the work at the office. December also brought school and church Christmas programs. There were cookies to bake, the house to decorate, and Christmas dinner to prepare for the grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Yes, I loved Christmas as a child and as a tired, busy, young mother. I’m a grandmother now, and I still enjoy Christmas. I hope you enjoy Christmas, too.