Christmas Wrappings
Freeman Ashworth - December 17, 2009
We look forward to the Christmas season as a time for the giving and the receiving of gifts, but it is much more than that. Although we love to give and receive presents, we enjoy the festivities of the holidays, the trimming and the lighting of the Christmas tree, the village crèches, the family gathered all around, but most of all we enjoy the wrappings placed upon the gifts. We have heard of kids who received wonderful Christmas or birthday presents and who enjoyed them momentarily, then played with the box for hours. I think there is much to that, especially around Christmas time.
Bob Purcell once told an interesting Christmas story in one of our creative writing classes. I believe it was Thelma Ward’s class. The story takes us back to the depression days and he told it in the first person. Whether or not it really happened is immaterial.
It seems when he was a small boy, his mother told the four children in early December not to expect anything for Christmas for there was hardly enough money for food. When the children heard that, they went into a momentary funk. For about a day or so, no one said a kind word to each other. Depression was everywhere. Finally, the older girl, Bethany had a suggestion. “Why don’t we make believe that we have some presents?’ she asked.
“You come up with some of the stupidest ideas,” Michael said critically. “How can we do that?”
“Think for a moment, Stupid.” She answered. “The real fun of getting presents is seeing the wrapped presents and the surprise of seeing what is inside. I know we can not afford to buy new gifts, but what is to stop us from wrapping up some things around the house and giving it to each other – sort of a joke gift?”
“I hate to admit it, but that sounds like a great idea,” said Michael. “I know just the present I will wrap up for Susan.” And off he scampered to find some funny papers to do the wrapping. The joys of early Christmas filled the air as the children ran around finding joke gifts and things to wrap for Christmas morning. Robert and Michael went out, found a small scrub pine tree, and brought it home for a Christmas tree. They decorated it the best they could. Susan folded a newspaper and cut out strings of paper dolls holding hands. Susan made strings of snowflakes. There were no lights for the tree and very few balls, but it looked beautiful and it could be a place to put the few presents.
When Christmas morning came, the children gathered around the tree to see what Santa had left them. Susan received the gift that Michael had wrapped for her. She tore off the wrapping and found a three-wheel roller skate. Robert had risen earlier, gone outside and wrapped up a dozen snowballs for Michael. Robert got Michael’s scout mess kit. They all had a good laugh over the joke gifts. Their mother came from her room, carrying gifts for each child. Each of the girls received a new dress and the boys received new flannel shirts.
Robert claimed that even though it was a bleak year, this was the best Christmas he could remember. Please keep in mind that it is not the price of the gift that counts as much as it is the kind thoughts behind the giving. Seasons’ Greetings and until later, cheers!