I’m trying to remember the first present I ever received.  I was four or five years old.  I think it was Christmas and Santa brought me a set of Roy Rogers’s twin six guns and holsters.  Very Cool!  Roy Rogers, the singing cowboy, was my first hero.  There was Gabby Hayes, his scruffy sidekick; Trigger, the smartest horse in the world and Dale Evans, Roy’s singing wife.  Happy Trails to You too! I would stand in front of the mirror and squint to look like Roy.  Nobody seemed to think toy guns for kids were a no-no in those days.  Then my cousin showed up for dinner with a really cool red cowboy hat!  Now if I just had that hat too……..

 

We were a pretty average middle class family when I was growing up, nonetheless, presents were special.  As I recall, I used to get one serious present at Christmas and another on my birthday (only a few days after Christmas, so it was like a double big bang time of year for me).

 

Of course, there were socks and mittens and other clothing gifts but, those were not really presents to me; more like necessities.  I was blessed with grandparents on both sides back then.  They probably brought gifts too but, they couldn’t have been very extraordinary or I would have remembered at least one.  Not to say I wasn’t thankful at the time.

 

Occasionally, I would get something special during the year.  One spring my dad bought me my first baseball glove.  Thanks again dad!  Early on, like most kids, I was mostly on the receiving end.  The first gift I remember buying was a 25 cent ring for this little girl I was in love with in grade one (hey, that was the price of a double feature movie and popcorn back then!).  No, it didn’t last!

 

Come to think of it… the food and goodies at holiday time were always great; turkey and trimmings on Thanksgiving and at Christmas; a big ham at New Years’ and Easter, and for me apple pie and cheese (always) for dessert.  Having family over or going to their place was always an adventure.  When I got a little older we would usually finish the evening with a good game of 500 Rummy.  My mum would usually get the giggles and my dad would always hold his cards close to his chest.  Good times!

 

As I grew up, got married and started a family of my own, the present thing seemed to multiply like rabbits.  Gone were the days of one gift.  It seemed like just about everyone had to have gifts stacked half way up their tree.  Folks were even giving and getting gifts at Easter and not simply chocolate bunnies.  The orange flashing light came on for me one Christmas when we had spent a good deal of time and resources on gifts for young relatives.  Our gifts were simply lost in the frenzy of “the moment under the tree” …just one more present.  “What did you get?” turned into, “How many did you get?”  The joy of giving and receiving was getting lost in the shuffle!

 

Now that I am a seasoned veteran at this holiday thing, I plan my giving a little differently.  Kids will hopefully always be kids… so fun and educational toys are big on my list, as is music, but sorry, no hip hop from granddad this year!  For friends and family, other than a special someone, and for all those who say, “I don’t really need anything!”  I love the idea of giving to a worthwhile charity in their name.  Check out www.GiveMeaning.com as one example of this concept.

 

So as Thanksgiving for our American cousins (I’m Canadian) has arrived and with Christmas following close behind, my wish list begins with a reflection on the purpose of these special times.  Generosity, gratitude, compassion and joy are truly wonderful outcomes this time of year.  Sharing our gifts with family, friends and those who are in need is like a song of joy, with happiness for lyrics and the spirit of giving as the melody.

It just feels good!

 

Joyfully

 

Anthony (Tony) White