|
Christmas Eve Gift
In our family on Christmas
Eve you hear the members of the family yelling "Christmas
Eve Gift, Christmas Eve Gift" when they meet another family
member or friend. They want to be the first one to say it to
everyone they see on that day. When the phone rings, they
don??™t even answer with a simple "hello" but hurriedly
exclaim, "Christmas Eve Gift" to whoever is on the other end
of the line. Sometimes some people are really surprised when
they call and hear that because they are not familiar with
that custom.
I don??™t know how it
started but I can remember that my daddy and my mother would
always say that to me every year on Christmas Eve. The
strange thing is that no matter how many times someone is
the first to say that to another person, no gift is ever
expected. Of course when the children are small, they expect
a gift but soon learn that it is the fun of saying
"Christmas Eve Gift" that is the outcome of this and makes
everyone excited and happy.
Christmas has become such
a commercial event that most people don??™t remember the real
reason for the holiday. It is really nice to see the members
of our family happily enjoying the day with nothing given
except the words and the excitement that shows in their
eyes. Our family does enjoy sharing gifts but we enjoy this
gift that is without any commercial value.
(C) Doris B. Fandal
January 6, 2004 |
