Being the mean mommy that I am, I forced Daniel to Christmas shop for his family. His school PTA had a little holiday shop where students could shop for little gifts (all under $5) for their family and friends. The younger students, with their parents’ help could fill out a gift list of the names and ages of the people they wished to shop for and they would be matched up with an 8th grade student who would be their shopping buddy. What a neat way for Daniel to learn a little more about budgeting and gift-giving. So I gave him $40 and a list including his sisters, nieces and parents.
“Do I have to do this?”, he grumbled.
“Yes, Daniel. I think it would be a good thing for you to do. Plus it will be fun trying to find something special to give to your sisters…”
He rolls his eyes.
“…Hazel and Fallon…”
He heaves a huge sigh.
“…your Dad…your Mom…”
“Okay, fine! I’ll do it!“
I am such a mean mom! He came home the next day from school with eight assorted packages all colorfully wrapped and placed them under the tree. His sisters, always on the lookout for any gifts under the tree immediately noticed them. When they asked Daniel, he shrugged telling them they are presents he got for them. Then he went back to re-arranging his Hot Wheels collection like he does every day.
It’s no big deal to him but it is to his sisters. They can’t wait to see what little treasure he got for them. I know I can’t wait to see. It will be fun come Christmas morning. But I didn’t do it so that we would have presents to open. I did it because someday, somewhere, the love of his life, the person he chooses to fall in love with and live happily ever after with will thank me…perhaps just a little. At least the boy will have learned how to shop for Christmas. There’s no guarantee that he will do it, but hopefully he will have a greater appreciation of the making of the Christmas magic here under the Big Top.
I swear this conversation has taken place here under the Big Top at some point during the month of December in any of the last, oh say twenty-eight Decembers. In fact, we had this conversation just last night.
Oh my darling husband…how you vex me so sometimes…
