There'll Be No Toys in MayanLand This Year - or How the Apocalypse Almost Ruined Christmas

It’s December 22, 2012 and we’re all still here.  I guess it wasn’t time for the end of the world, as the Mayan’s, and some guy standing on the corner of Peninsula and the South Causeway with a sign “REPENT, it’s finally here,” predicted.  I have to admit, this time I was a little nervous.  I didn’t worry about the Hale-Bopp Comet in 2003, or the false prophet Harold Camping’s dire prediction in 1994, why this one I wonder. 

The Apocalyptic belief isn’t shared by everyone, however.  Lowe’s, for example, won’t lower the price on their artificial Christmas Trees until the 24^th, whether we (and/or the trees) are here or not!  Believe me, we tried.  Home Depot, too!  Even WalMart is holding off.  Oh they say they’re “Rolling Back” the prices, but I haven’t seen any pre-Apocalypse sales!

Every year it’s something.  Huge snowstorms in parts of the country, affecting the merchants’ “bottom line.”  Extreme heat in the south hinders the shoppers “Christmas Spirit.” Now the Mayan calendar just abruptly ended!  I don’t know about their calendar, but I saw lots of calendars for sale, in every store.  They all went on for another 12 months, at least.  I bought one – my world will continue!

Did we really need this now? It’s bad enough every store window has a sign warning us how little time we have left to get that very special gift for that very finicky person!  Every year I, and about 14 million others, say “Never again!”  I’ll start early, maybe on summer vacation; I’ll make my cookies in November and freeze them; I’ll have everything wrapped and shipped by December 1^st.  Yeah! Yeah!  Never happens!  So somewhere in mid-December, a feeling of martyrdom settles into our souls and it doesn’t leave until December 26^th.  The gift expectations hang around our necks like a heavy Christmas wreath, which we lug around all during the holidays.  There’s so much to do, so many people to buy for.  Why did I insist on making personalized ornaments and king sized afghans for everyone?  What was I thinking??? Was it really necessary to hand wrap everything myself – Bealls has a great FREE gift-wrapping service.

Then, on Christmas Day, we wonder if everyone liked what I bought.  Did that cute pair of jeans fit my tall and willowy granddaughter?  Did my grandsons get everything they really wanted? Did my husband really like all that sandpaper I bought him (even though he asked for it)?  Did the cookies I mailed to NY arrive mauled and crumbled?  Did the token batch I made in November taste freezer burned?  It’s no wonder everyone loves Thanksgiving so much.  All you have to do is show up and eat!

Every year I think I’ll do better, and, if truth were told, I think I’ve improved a little.  I do start earlier; I try not to take on too many handmade, personalized projects; I do get my packages mailed earlier; I’ve limited my cookies to 2 or 3 varieties.  I’ve tried to stop worrying as much – I do the best I can.  After all, that’s really all we can do!  I know I definitely appreciate the gifts I receive 100 times more than I did as a kid.  I know firsthand the effort and love that went into them.  Whether they were bought out of love, or affection, or friendship, or respect, or a combination of any of those things, the fact that someone thought enough of me to go through all the hoops required to plan, shop, buy, wrap, mail anything to me truly warms my heart. 

My husband and I still buy lots of things for each other – but the rule is nothing expensive!  We just love opening “stuff.”  This is where the afore-mentioned Bealls comes in – for him.  I love their merchandise, both personal and for the house, and he loves the free gift wrapping.  So, to keep in our true traditions, I may get a set of potholders, each wrapped separately in lovely paper and ribbon.  Slippers are usually kept together in one box, but dish towels, placemats, PJs, are often separated and wrapped accordingly.  The big joke is that when you add up the boxes, gift wrap, bows, and tags they probably cost more than the gifts enclosed.  I do the same thing for him, but I do the wrapping.  Bealls doesn’t carry sandpaper, drill bits, or fishing lures. 

Trite as it may sound, it really is the thought that counts.  So on this Christmas Day, if you’re worrying about the gifts you gave – STOP!  Quit cleaning up after the kids and go lie down on the couch.  Eat chocolates and watch the lights twinkle on the Christmas tree.  Enjoy the day.  You did the best you could, we’re still here and the world keeps turning.  Please God we’ll have another year ahead of us to plan next Christmas!!!  

SURVIVAL TIP FOR TODAY:  If Aunt Prissy doesn't like her fur lined Snuggie, remind her of all those people who would love to have a warm place to sleep and a full stomach for Christmas.  If little Johnny thinks he didn't get enough toys from Santa, tell him about the pioneer kids who were happy to get an apple or a knitted pair of socks (Yeah, that will work!)  But, most important of all, take some time to remember the real reason for the season.