By mid-August, I generally have bought and wrapped my holiday gifts. I start shopping for the next year right after this year’s BIG day.
When I see a gift that is perfect for Uncle Pete, let’s say in February, I purchase it and store it in my “Christmas Closet”.
Having shared that bit of neurosis with you, I will tell you that my adult son waits until the absolute LAST minute to do his shopping. I suppose that he is rebelling against a childhood that was filled with, “Wait, Wait! I see the perfect (Christmas) present for cousin Sue here on the Jersey boardwalk in June!”
Jon called me on the 22nd this year…early for him. He asked if I had any Christmas wishes. Having previously given my ideas to others in my life, I half-joked, saying, “I’d like a back scratcher.” Now, winters in New England tend to be pretty chilly. With the ensuing dry heat, a back scratcher for my parched skin seemed like a pretty good idea. Also, Jon is a student, and not rolling in dough. A plastic scratcher wouldn’t break his bank.
“Okay, cool,” he responded, and that piece of business was concluded.
UPS rang my doorbell on December 24th. An overnight express delivery had brought me a long, narrow box. “Jon,” I thought aloud, “You’ve spent more on the shipping than the gift itself.”
I’m a good girl and I waited until Christmas day to open my treasures. In that brown, cardboard shipping box was a beautifully wrapped gift. As usual, the wrapping paper was not a Holiday theme. This year, he had used baby shower wrap. In years passed, Jon has used Valentine’s Day, July 4th, or Easter paper.
I turned the gift over to begin the ripping process. Inside the large box was an embroidered shirt… just right for my bohemian taste. Also, there was also a large plastic fork adorned in purple ribbon attached to the true gift!
Great kid, my Jon. A fork will do when scratching is called for! Now I can scratch my back before donning my new tog.
Next year, I plan to ask Jon for a pony.
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