806. Christmas gifts

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806xmas

Samantha wasn’t rich, but she was comfortable enough. She wasn’t that popular either. She had a few friends, but they weren’t deep friends, more acquaintances. They were enough company. She liked her own space.

She had a brother who had a family and lived somewhere way over in another place. They phoned each other for Christmas and birthdays. That was always nice. These days, Samantha was retired. She lived alone.

Christmas wasn’t a problem, but she was always a little disappointed that she didn’t get any gifts. She came up with a plan.

Quite frankly, her kitchenware was getting tatty. She needed a new colander, and new wooden spoons. The can opener was passed it, as was the corkscrew. The pots had seen better days. The oven cloth was burned in patches. The tea-towels were stained and faded.

Giving money to an acquaintance who loved shopping, she ordered all these things. “And wrap them up in Christmas paper,” said Samantha.

The gift parcels arrived! Samantha placed them under her Christmas tree.

Christmas morning dawned! Samantha brewed some coffee and toasted some crumpets. They were dripping with wonderful butter!

She sat in an armchair and opened her gifts one by one.

Her gifts were a delight!

Happy Christmas!

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45 thoughts on “806. Christmas gifts”

    2. Cynthia Jobin

      It is indeed a neat idea…one way of getting exactly what you want. Even better would be to order them from Amazon (the gift wrap fee is small) and have them arrive by parcel post. Cheers, you’all! Hope you’re not too far into the eggnog yet….

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      1. Bruce Goodman Post author

        I’ve just had a sensible slice of toast for breakfast, with jam. And a coffee. There is not a sound of traffic or anything. Total peace, and I have the world to myself – (and also no present under the tree 😦 which is usual so I always give Eric a present that doesn’t require wrapping – like this year I got a red stripe painted on the side of his pick-up that he wanted. Pre-prandials won’t begin for another 9 hours!

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        2. Cynthia Jobin

          My partner was Sicilian American, second generation. Her family made the most delicious eggnog—not sure of the recipe, but it involved cream and sugar many eggs, and a bit of cinnamon. They separated the eggs and whipped the whites before putting it all together, reserving some of the whipped egg whites to float on top of the punch bowl full of eggnog, like clouds. Of course, it involved brandy, too, but that was added last (in case there were teetotalers about, which there never were.) So I know that some Italians here used to do eggnog!

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  3. Pingback: 806. Christmas gifts | Scotties Toy Box

  4. Cynthia Jobin

    My sister came for one of her hello-goodbye visits yesterday and brought me all sorts of things I don’t really want but she thinks I should have. Among them were Chex party mix, Canadian meat pie, eggnog, baklava, and a huge poinsettia plant. You should not be alone at Christmas, she said, and left. This morning, the dog and I enjoyed boozeless eggnog, chex party-mix, and baklava with our breakfast coffee. I’m ready for a post-prandial nap.

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        1. Outlier Babe

          OMGosh! I just figured out how to mimic baklava with gluten-free matzoh (there’s a crispy kind), butter, agave syrup, and pecans (I can no longer eat walnuts all of the sudden 😦 ), layered. It won’t be the same, but it will be SOMEthing. I’m on the edge of diabetes with my blood sugar, but d*mn the coming coma–this is for SCIENCE!

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            3. Cynthia Jobin

              You’re not far wrong, Bruce…but the word has one more syllable baLAklava. It’s a hoodish hat that goes down the neck and covers the mouth. Lots of skiers wear them to keep warm on the high slopes. I used to have one in my skiing days.

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    2. Bruce Goodman Post author

      I might have finished the turkey, cranberry sauce, and everything else – but this video (almost) made me bring it all up again with laughter! It has been years since I may have attempted to ring a bell in such a manner. Fa la la la la la. I might sound inebriated but the dishes still need to be done. Fa la la la la 0 blow it! they can wait until morning!

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  8. Andrew

    Happy Christmas Bruce. No presents under our tree either. We have so much and I refuse to be an obedient consumer, buying on the command Christmas. Only Lulu may get an extra treat but she isn’t keen on mince pies.

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  9. Cynthia Jobin

    Yvonne—That video is priceless…lots of wonderful laughter here over so many moments….but I think my favorite was the the third (the smallest) of the three kings, who not only got almost left behind, but had trouble maneuvering his gift until he finally tossed it at the baby….

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