Christmas Eve Gift

In these days of materialism or commercialism, I think we all get lost in the true meaning of what should happen this time of year. Forgiveness, for one, also remembrance, reflection, reconnection, fun, and joy. Today I wanted to bring some of that back in and tell you of a little game, challenge, well I am not really sure what to call it, that my husband’s family has taken part in for generations. He spoke this morning, about how we are all of an older generation now, and the game is dying out. He said there are fewer and fewer of us playing now. So I thought I would bring it to you, along with a poem I wrote to the players for Christmas, some years back. Maybe some of you, might want to begin to play and teach it to your children for years to come. Simple things meant to bring laughter and fun should never die out.

Here is the story as I am told. Generations ago relatives of my husbands, would walk a country mile, or ride a mule to their closest relative on Christmas eve. They would approach the door, knock, and then duck out of sight. As the home occupants answered the door, out they would jump and yell “Christmas Eve Gift”. After a moment of laughter, they would all gather in the house and swap stories, happenings, goals, etc. over a nice hot cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa. Once the visiting was over, they would head home, to prepare themselves for the celebration of Christmas. I think in the simpler times, they realized we are the gift to each other. You to me and me to you. Time is so fleeting, yet so important when you are with those you love. How have we forgotten that?

As the years went by, generations changed, technology advanced, and family members moved to far off places. The face to face visits became harder to do, so the yell became a phone call away. So groggy or not, when your phone rings on Christmas eve at 5:30 am, you better be ready to tell the person on the other side; Christmas Eve Gift and be ready to chat about what’s new. A few years back we got a text telling us “Christmas Eve Gift”, we called that out of bounds. The purpose of the challenge is to get us to reconnect, even if over the phone, and even for 10 minutes. We must see your face or hear your voice.

I’ll leave you with my poem in hopes that someone out there, somewhere out there, someone will carry on a tradition and get back to the basics – realizing that time is the best gift we can give to each other. Why not add in a little fun, a little debate about the winner, and a catch up to the new happenings in our lives. From my heart to yours – A Christmas Eve Gift….

 
         Christmas Eve Gift
  
 The clock has struck the midnight hour
 The second hand ticks away
 Taking us to 12:01 am
 Of the day before Christmas morn
 With everyone acting peculiarly
 As if they have something to say
  
 From this point on, until the midnight hour
 When Christmas Eve slips away
 The phones will ring, and anything goes
 In a game we all love to play
  
 The players have changed over the course of the years
 But the game remains the same
 The quickest one, is who everyone fears
 So try to get me first
 Before I win the game
  
 The funny thing is there are no rules
 Or object to this game
 Bragging rights is what you win
 If you are the first to say: 
  
 “Christmas Eve Gift” 

 By:
 Laura Standrowicz        
 December 2004