Photo by allerleirau

I think the last time I hand-made my holiday gifts I was a child. I remember crayon drawn pennants of the New York Giants NFL logo (my dad is a huge fan), sewn pouches, coupon booklets for extra hugs, and decorated paper boxes of treasures collected. As an adult, with many more relatives to give to, I can certainly see why so many shop for already made gifts. Although I have to say, finding the “right gift” in the sea of commercial excess isn’t always easy either.

I didn’t always celebrate Christmas. I am adopted and my parents are of different religions, and didn’t practice when I was a child. To spread the commercial-gift-giving-cheer, our family exchanged presents on New Years day. (It was great to always catch the after-Christmas-store sales for purchased gifts.) My mom took extra time to make her special meatballs, cardamon spiced sticky buns, and home-made egg-nog. My dad’s culinary specialties were cole-slaw and fruit cup salad.

I remember the night before my dad would tuck me in and say “see you next year.” I’d panic until I realized that was only tomorrow, a few hours away. I’d awake early of course, excited to add my presents to the pile of gifts in our living room next to the antique steamer trunk. My parents’ home is solar heated in part, so holes cut in the floor are covered with antique floor iron grates with vent panels that open and shut. When I opened my grate I could take a peek and see the pile of wrapped gifts just waiting to be opened.

I had to wait until 8 am (although when I was younger I suspect the hour was a bit earlier) to wake the parents to go downstairs and open gifts. I remember my mom would wear her fuzzy robe and slippers, and my dad, an early riser, would already be dressed for the day.

We’d head downstairs, and marvel with excitement and anticipation at the stack of presents on the floor. Somehow the dog was never interested in the gifts. We’d open presents, call far-away relatives on the phone, play with our new toys, and eat wonderful foods. I always loved jig-saw puzzles, so there was always one to piece together with my dad. I think we also watched football since it was New Years day. The Giants of course.

As I grew older, traditions changed. By the time I was in college, my family started to exchange gifts on Christmas, although we didn’t attend church. When I moved to Washington, D.C. for my first professional job, I returned home for Christmas vacation.

But after meeting my husband, and joining the Catholic faith, I now celebrate Christmas with my young family.

I hope to start many traditions my children will remember (and blog about) when they are older. I am eager to make gifts along side them, decorate cookies with them, and reach out to those less fortunate with them. My rediscovered passion for hand-making gifts is definitely from my childhood. I am lucky to have had parents who encouraged personal creativity, who grew value in natural awareness, and who nurtured a sense of organic generosity.

To make a long story short, I am not going to be able to finish every gift I set out to make this Christmas. Everyone will eventually receive their intended hand-made gift, but maybe this year a little after the celebration of Christ. Nevertheless, I am ever so thankful this year we will gather together in warmth, love, hope, and prosperity. We all wish you and your family a happy holiday season and a prosperous new year.