One of the best things to come of this mucked up merry season is that it has really brought forth the luxury of staying home for the holidays, of shopping local and being grateful for where I live.
Avoiding malls makes me gleeful. Quality time with my immediate family? Also gleeful. Santa doesn’t like pouters.
It certainly has made holiday shopping easier for my beloved Carpenter, because as a commuter to the big city six days a week, the last thing he wants is to stop at a mall on the way home. In a pandemic, I don’t want him to either. Everything we could possibly buy in town, we did. The rest is delivered direct.
We’ve kept our budget realistic too. If this pandemic has taught me anything, it’s to appreciate what I already have and not focus on what I don’t.
My gift wish is simple: a book, a pair of comfy pyjamas and a book light so I can read in bed without disturbing my spouse (even though he disturbs my sleep every night – just sayin’).
To make it easy, I sent the Carpenter a link to the website for the local retailer that had my favourite pyjamas, so he knew exactly what I wanted in colour and style. A quick stop on his drive home. I did all the work for him.
I bet you’re thinking this takes some of the romance out of Christmas gifts, right? Please keep in mind this is the man whose gift to me last year was the Die Hard movies boxed set. Die Hard movies. All of them. I’m serious.
Why? Because I disagreed with him that the story of John McClane saving his estranged wife from terrorists during a corporate Christmas party makes this horribly violent, action thriller the ultimate holiday movie. Die Hard is not a Christmas movie. It’s not.
And until he commits to watching Love Actually with me, I’m actually not budging on this argument. I’ll take my pyjamas, thank you very much.
And I know I am getting them because yesterday I got a text that read: “don’t take this the wrong way but, what size would you be in pyjamas?”
He knew the minute he typed the question that there would be a column. Twenty-nine years together. I have been a size medium for all of them. Medium. How hard is that?
Rest assured, despite sizing confusion, the Carpenter shows his affection with good surprises in all the ways that matter more than gifts. He’s on Santa’s Nice List. Mine too.
It sounds cliché, but I honestly believe the best part of Christmas isn’t the presents but being present with my little family. If all we do is exchange a few gifts, play music and games, laugh and eat together, that’s enough for me.
I look forward to the movie marathon in my new pyjamas watching John McClane save the day after shooting up everything in his wake, and watching the Carpenter sit quietly and witness the moment when Prime Minister David declares his love for Natalie at the school Christmas concert.
Joy to the World.
Wait. What if I get a Tom Clancy novel for Christmas?
Ugh. Better pick out my book title, too.
