This has been the most unusual Christmas season ever for me and maybe for others, too. I don’t know what it is but something different is definitely in the air. For the first time ever, I don’t have my cards addressed and sent, I don’t have my Christmas shopping done and for some reason, I don’t seem to care. And for anyone who knows me, this is unlike how I have approached any Christmas in the past when I would have taken care of every detail by now. But, I think I am starting to figure it out.
There are no presents wrapped up under the tree that could warm my heart and soul like a hug from someone else’s heart can do. Hugs cost nothing and can be given every single day of the year to those with whom we wish to share them.
For the first time ever, I am not looking forward to Christmas Day because of the presents. I have always worried about finding just the right thing for everyone. What if the things that I picked out were not what someone else wanted? Did I spend the same amount of money on each person so that someone did not feel slighted? Could I have done more or done better if I had started earlier. Did I do enough searching for unique gifts so that others would know just how important it was to me to make them happy and to help them understand how important they are to me? Such stress, and yes, I was never, ever satisfied with the choices that I made as I felt like the recipients may not really have liked what I had selected for them.
This year, I had made some new choices about how I would do things. I kept up most of the same traditions that I had established many years ago because I really love them and enjoy them. But there are a few things that I did change. I didn’t send Christmas cards. I guess that I felt that sentiments put on paper by someone else and sent off to those who I have not seen for so very long just no longer works for me. So, I have decided to make a call to each of them during the holiday season to let them know that I am thinking of them and that I really wanted to hear their voices even if I can’t see them in person. For those small little gifts that I usually give to co-workers, I calculated how much it usually costs me, added some extra cash and contributed it to someone who is really in need at this holiday season.
My husband will pick out gifts for those members of his family with whom we exchange and I will help him with that in any way that I can. That leaves the most important person on my list and that is Kirk himself. I never know what to get for him but as always, I will figure out some things that will provide for us to have our own very special gift opening together on Christmas Day.
That leaves me. I absolutely need nothing nor want anything this year except for hugs. There are no presents wrapped up under the tree that could warm my heart and soul like a hug from someone else’s heart can do. Hugs cost nothing and can be given every single day of the year to those with whom we wish to share them. And long after the last ornament is tucked away for another year and all of the paper and bows have been tossed away, I will still receive my favorite gift of the holidays each and every time that I receive another hug.
Barbara Jacoby is an award winning blogger that has contributed her writings to multiple online publications that have touched readers worldwide.