Simple Gifts 11/15/2020

By: Jennifer Richardson Holt

It is that time of year.  It is a time when busy is an understatement.  A little bit of everything flows into our schedules like a landslide carrying every speck of free time and thought off into oblivion with it.  If we are not busy planning the events for the rest of this year, we are planning our attendance at events for the rest of this year. Perhaps you may even have the added tedium of having to rework previously planned things due to the specialness that is our lives this year.  I know for my family and I am certain for others, the unique circumstances of these unique times in which we live have added a bit of less than thrilling adventure to all that is this season.  Note that I will not give the situations of our present day any form of the satisfaction of recognition by calling any of it by its name. All that’s going on shall forever be known as “circumstances”, “situations” or, as previously stated, “all that’s going on”.  I think that is something of a southern thing but no matter.  I promise I am not uneducated on such issues. It’s simply how I have decided to and shall address such things henceforth.

Even if you’ve managed to get your events sorted then it is highly likely that you still have some of the more traditional tasks on the to-do list. There is the dilemma of when to decorate the house and then the doing so when the timing is decided. Some of you have very involved Thanksgiving decorations currently on display and for that I commend you.  I’ve never been one to decorate for said holiday.  I feel like possibly in the south since food is a bit of a trademark we often tend to embrace that side of things rather than the decorating side and trust me, my decadent food plans are thoroughly made. Though I must admit that I do have generically fall décor that goes out the minute it is football season or September (whichever comes first). Of course, in the south that means there is a real chance that the outside weather is still set to Satan’s front porch when this occurs. However, such technicalities are of no consequence. The corn husks and pumpkins shall assume their place on the porch even if I do not live in a setting that feels like fall when fall is scheduled to be felt. But when it comes to Christmas decorations we are in that delicate timeframe in which some embrace Christmas wholeheartedly, others scold them for doing so and another group entirely who will make a last minute judgment call as to when and what halls get decked and with what boughs be they gourd or holly.

I suppose those are some of the more lighthearted predicaments though.  There are some decisions that will weigh very heavy on some hearts. The matter of gifts for the upcoming season will be a trial that many will face.  I am certain there will be those who face the concern of wanting to give extravagant gifts, especially to those young hearts who are fully enveloped in the wonder and completely oblivious to its cost.  I don’t know that the word of some random person who writes a blog will be taken into much account but let me assure you that buying the fancy expensive gift isn’t as important as you think.  I understand it. I truly do.  There is very little that matches getting to see a child’s face when they open that extra special something that they’ve lusted after upon every commercial appearance.  We all love to watch a countenance truly light up.  But please let me attest to you that it isn’t nearly as important as you may think.  Fancy is not a child’s priority.  The most cherished gift for my daughter from last Christmas was a very small stuffed dog that comes inexplicably wrapped in a soft blanket that looks like a tortilla.  She still adores this more than anything else she got. If she had gotten something big and boxed there is also a pretty reliable guarantee that the box would have gotten much more play time than the item in said box. Kids are interesting that way.  I mean, she loves a hound burrito more than anything else. Go figure.

Maybe it is inability to be with those you love in the coming weeks that plagues you.  There could be a million reasons why this could be the case not the least of which is all the insanity that has proven to pack itself into this year.  Perhaps it is a bit of everything that is robbing you of the peace and joy of this season. Maybe it’s the events and plans, along with the gifts and giving, mingled with working around friends and family that has caused these upcoming occasions to lose their luster. I understand that. This year everything has a bit of a different feel to it.  I know that while there are good times to be had that often chaos and stress sneaks into the turkey and tinsel.

I guess the reason I am writing this is to encourage you to not let any circumstance steal the jubilance of which these times are capable.  Thanksgiving will still come and this year we have so much to be grateful for that in all years past we likely took for granted, such as being able to see facial expressions and the trouble melting warmth of hugs.  Show love to your family even if they aren’t gathered around your table. Let affection and appreciation be showered lavishly on all those you care about, and honestly, throw in a stranger or two while you’re at it.  While I certainly don’t want you to negate to revel in the pleasure that is a good Thanksgiving meal, be sure to count your blessings between bites because they are many and can lift even the most downcast of spirits.  Let us all make sure that despite all the challenges we may face, that we take a look around because there is ALWAYS something for which to be thankful. 

And when Black Friday arrives and the next holiday season flings itself upon us with full force (whether we’ve pre-decorated or not) let us all do our very best to move that spirit of valuing the little things right along with the calendar.  It is called (and I say starting right this minute) the most wonderful time of the year and I say we do not let any outside affairs tarnish that moniker.  We should hold on to our families, friends and the love between us be it shared in person or at a distance. Let’s all try to cling tightly to the lessons we’ve learned this year about what is truly important and allow those truths to mold our quickly coming holidays into the simple joys that they were always meant to be.  Perhaps we all need to learn to be children again and revel in the thrill of dessert, a big box, a good cuddle and a warm heart.