A look at Christmas past

Christmas was always a great big, happy occasion for my daughter Clarice and me. There was always a special doll she requested from Santa, one she'd seen advertised endlessly on Saturday morning cartoons.  One of the most memorable was Tubsy, who came with her own pink, plastic bathtub.  My daughter was thrilled.  Tubsy was always extremely clean.

Tubsy receiving one of her very many baths.

On Christmas Eve, I'd lay out her gifts as if Santa had left them.  I ate the cookies and poured out the milk we had intended for him.  Sometimes I felt guilty for perpetuating the ruse, but what is a mother to do. Finally, the questions did come, "How does Santa get around the whole world in one night?" "How can reindeer fly?" One day, she looked me straight in the eye and asked if Santa was real.  Some children at school had said he was not. 

In the face of such directness, I hesitantly told her the truth as gently as I could.  She cried.  I felt awful because I knew some of the mystery and excitement of Christmas was gone for her forever.  As an adult, however, she has made a big deal out of Christmas for her own children, and all of us still enjoy the excitement and mystery.  We  love the fantasies of the holiday perpetuated by the media: Santa, elves, talking snowmen, flying reindeer and the odd lights and pretend snow of Florida outdoor decorations. 

Clarice looks over the treasures brought by Santa.  There's

Tubsy, an Easy Bake oven, dishes, and books.  

I don't think learning the truth about Santa harmed her.  She was one of the last in her school class to know.  It was a truth that had to be told.  

                 

Signs of the season

Regardless of personal religious belief, it is pleasing to take several weeks out of the year to think primarily of others.  Our lives are so busy much of the time that giving is not a main priority. The holidays of December:  Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, provide this opportunity. 

We overspend in the spirit of the season on parties, gifts, special contributions to organizations and  to the needy.  The holiday spirit creates a yearly renewal of unselfishness. 

Christmas  with  Santa Claus, decorated trees, and  family gatherings is  the tradition I know best. It is my very favorite holiday.  This probably dates from my childhood when my dad's family gathered in the living room with its tiny coal burning fireplace to distribute presents.  As the oldest and for a while the only grandchild, I received a gift from everyone.  The gifts were not lavish, but to me they were wonderful.  One that I remember was a white knit cap with long knit braids given to me by my Uncle Rob.  I wore it until it was just a rag.

I love the whimsy of Christmas.  In Florida, we don't have snow, sleds, sleighs or other such snowy weather entertainments, but that doesn't stop us.  Snow flakes made of lights, inflatable snowmen, and lighted icicles grace the yards of my neighborhood.  One of the strangest Florida traditions is wrapping the trunks of palm trees with strings of  lights.  Why?  I'm not sure, but they are festive.  Down the street from my house, a Santa inflatable lies collapsed in a yard as if he fainted, but he's only had the air removed for the daytime.  I don't know why.  

  At the airport, I saw a well-dressed man in a suit and tie with Santa Claus patterned socks peeking below his pants leg.  A few years ago, a yard near the beach displayed a small sleigh overflowing with gifts pulled by four plastic flamingos wearing Santa hats. Yes, Christmas can bring out the best and the happiest in us.

However you celebrate the holidays or whichever one you celebrate, enjoy and don't hesitate to make someone happy.

Here are some of the decorations in my neighborhood:

                                    Florida snow flake with icicles

Florida style inflatable snowman.

A stuffed giraffe wearing a Santa hat

Inflatable dog looks a little scared.

Blue tree, blue snowflakes, different, but pretty.