H.M:d-7
I can't remember when I was told that Santa Clause wasn't real-or, rather, that each and every one of us are Santa Claus. I do remember it involved buying prezzies for others. I believe in answering my question ["Why are we buying So-and-So presents?"], my mom explained away Christmas. Obviously, the realization that Santa Claus wasn't real didn't have much an impact on me, because I barely remember the event. I just know it happened.
As a child, then, Christmas Eve was my Christmas. We'd stay up and watch television-all the usual Xmas shows from Rankin Bass productions [Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Little Drummer Boy] to the How the Grinch Stole Christmas to Frosty the Snowman. Later in my childhood, it was Star Wars IV: A New Hope, which is what I had watched last night, breaking tradition though I was. After around 11:30pm or so, however, I got to open my presents.
It always started the same way: my mom or dad would say, "Pick one-only one." But one would turn into two, then three, four... until everyone's opening everything. By midnight, all my toys were opened. I'd stay up until 5 or 6 A.M. playing with the new prezzies and then sleeping all day, if I could sleep at all.
Now I'm not big on presents. I tend to give gift cards and gas cards nowadays. Everyone spends so much on others, I figure I can excuse my laziness by giving things people could actually use-money and gas. Still, I got a shit-tonne of friends who goes elsewhere for Christmas. So before they leave town, they give me my presents. So for the past 6 or 7 years or so, it's been like my childhood days all over again!
Today I got an even specialer treat. [ And no, alex_s9, 'specialer' isn't correct. ;-P ]
I got a package from nathaniel_hp-all the way from Germany. It felt good to be holding something in my hands from Germany, even if it was just an envelope. Plus, it will give me a wonderful glimpse into a dear LJ!friend of mine, one of many with whom I hope to remain friends for a long time still. No doubt it'll have something handwritten by him, so I'll be able to do all sorts of handwriting analysis and speculations... :lol: As if I knew how to do that. Pft!
And, in the grand tradition, Nathaniel, I'm waiting until 11:30pm to tear into the package. I'm sure I'll be up until 3 in the morning with whatever you've given me. Thanks for taking me back to my youth, my friend; hope your-hope all of your-holiday season is as bright and cheery as your package has made me!
So yes... Christmas Eve makes me Happy.
As a child, then, Christmas Eve was my Christmas. We'd stay up and watch television-all the usual Xmas shows from Rankin Bass productions [Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Little Drummer Boy] to the How the Grinch Stole Christmas to Frosty the Snowman. Later in my childhood, it was Star Wars IV: A New Hope, which is what I had watched last night, breaking tradition though I was. After around 11:30pm or so, however, I got to open my presents.
It always started the same way: my mom or dad would say, "Pick one-only one." But one would turn into two, then three, four... until everyone's opening everything. By midnight, all my toys were opened. I'd stay up until 5 or 6 A.M. playing with the new prezzies and then sleeping all day, if I could sleep at all.
Now I'm not big on presents. I tend to give gift cards and gas cards nowadays. Everyone spends so much on others, I figure I can excuse my laziness by giving things people could actually use-money and gas. Still, I got a shit-tonne of friends who goes elsewhere for Christmas. So before they leave town, they give me my presents. So for the past 6 or 7 years or so, it's been like my childhood days all over again!
Today I got an even specialer treat. [ And no, alex_s9, 'specialer' isn't correct. ;-P ]
I got a package from nathaniel_hp-all the way from Germany. It felt good to be holding something in my hands from Germany, even if it was just an envelope. Plus, it will give me a wonderful glimpse into a dear LJ!friend of mine, one of many with whom I hope to remain friends for a long time still. No doubt it'll have something handwritten by him, so I'll be able to do all sorts of handwriting analysis and speculations... :lol: As if I knew how to do that. Pft!
And, in the grand tradition, Nathaniel, I'm waiting until 11:30pm to tear into the package. I'm sure I'll be up until 3 in the morning with whatever you've given me. Thanks for taking me back to my youth, my friend; hope your-hope all of your-holiday season is as bright and cheery as your package has made me!
So yes... Christmas Eve makes me Happy.