2015-12 Winter Quarter

never fails to recall that Christmas when I learned the true

beauty of the age-old tradition of Christmas giving. It was our first

Christmas at our new home, and the move had made money rather

tight that year. Mom and Dad had told us kids not to expect many

presents that year. The warning, however, did not dampen the

excitement that inevitably came over me at the approach of the

most wonderful time in the whole year.

As the great solemnity drew nearer, our new house began to

feel more like home as we decked the halls in preparation

for Christmas. Nativity scenes were placed about the house.

Verdant green garland and bright red bows bedecked every doorway. But, most of

all, I will always remember our Christmas tree. Our tree that year was the smallest

little fir I had ever helped to decorate. We piled all our ornaments and our lights

on that little tree, and it glowed and sparkled with the adornments which could

have decorated three trees its size. The whole house seemed to declare that

Christmas would be as joyous as ever, even if it would be different.

After the long wait, it finally came time for our Christmas celebration at

home to begin as we arrived home from the Midnight Mass in the wee

hours of Christmas morning. Sitting around the Christmas tree were little

packages of different shapes and sizes; the scene brought to mind the

maxim, “great things come in small packages.” In accord with our family

tradition, we began to open our presents then and there, though it was

almost two o’clock in the morning.

To start us off, Dad told us that, with the exception of a few presents,

none of the gifts were for specific people; we would simply take turns

picking a package and opening it. In the end, if people wanted to

trade, that would be alright.

Dad decided to start with the youngest. She picked one of the

largest presents. She opened it and a look of confusion spread

over her little face. Inside were bright, little green balls sealed

inside a clear bag with a company’s logo. She looked to Dad. He

looked unsure and said he thought that it was a heating pad.

WUPPIES & GIFTS : OUR STRANGE CHRISTMAS TRADITION NATALIE PRATT