Christmas Bloopers and Blunders in the Dodd Home
While I wish I could say our family holidays have always gone smoothly and every moment was cherished, a recent experience with my youngest daughter got me thinking about the things through the years that may not have gone as well as I had hoped. Somehow we were able to glide right through those blunders with laughter.
It all went down last Friday night. I noticed that one of the presents under the tree was partially opened and my lively 7-year-old shouted, “I got Nike shoes.” Thankfully, she thinks that is what it is, but it’s really not. So, I talked with her about opening presents without permission, how this was not permitted and that Santa would not be very happy with her if he knew she was sneaking a peek at the gifts her family had wrapped that were under the tree.
We discussed how we picked out special things for her and wanted to see her open them, and enjoy the moment with her and how being patient was an absolute necessity. I was fairly sure that I had gotten the point across.
The following day was my husband’s birthday. We had quite a busy day ahead. Therefore, we gave him his present during breakfast. As I excitedly awaited his opening of the gift that I had chosen, (adorned by the beautifully crafted wrapping job I had specifically made extra special) my little daughter blurts out, “I can’t tell you what it is because it’s a surprise. BUT, it’s shiny and it goes around your neck.” Well, geez, I guess she was listening to me after all.
As I reflected upon Christmases past, I remembered the time my older brother showed me where presents were hidden while I still believed in Santa, of course. I recalled the Christmas my parents could not wait to give me the baby doll I wanted so badly to find out it was the wrong one. I remember the Christmas Eve my younger brother and some of his college buddies had a couple drinks and when he came home, he told us everything he had gotten everyone before we had a chance to even open them. I remember the peaceful Christmas Eve that my oldest daughter was headed to the mall with her friend to grab a last minute gift and they wrecked the car on the interstate (they were fine). I remember the cat climbing up the tree and knocking off the bulbs along with many other faux pas that happened over the years. I must say each one makes me giggle.
The point is, nothing is ever perfect and things don’t always go as planned. But the important thing is that we create memories together - memories we can cherish, laugh and talk about for years to come while keeping the family bonds alive and, most of all, remembering what Christmastime is really and truly about.
Happy Holidays!
