Christmas, you instigator of frenzied shopping, frantic wrapping and endless gorging, let us rejoice in your extravagance and overconsumption but let us also delight in your bits that require no buying, no packaging and no heralding like the merriment of family, the wonder of children and the joy of hope.

I wish I could say that this Christmas was calmer than most for me and Jason but I wouldn’t want to jeopardize my “nice” status with such lies. Santa’s got enough problems on his hands.

On Christmas Eve Jason and I went to my sister Tonya’s house for dinner and entertainment. She generously provided yummy Café Rio fare and a festive musical program. She also supplied a good laugh in the form of a few rounds of Telestrations, a game as warped as those playing it. It was a pleasant evening full of fillings and feelings.

Miraculously, Jason and I had Christmas morning all to ourselves this year. Despite our late bedtime on Christmas Eve, around 3 AM, Jason woke up bright and early on Christmas. Much like all the 5-year-olds out there, he was too excited to sleep. He settled down for French toast casserole and the exchanging of a few gifts though. That’s what our morning consisted of and, notwithstanding its simplicity, to us it was finer than partying with the jolly man himself. Who doesn’t wish for a little Christmas peace?

In contrast to our morning, our afternoon was spent hurrying from one family shindig to the next for nonstop food stuffing and present unwrapping. Despite this continual dashing, I believe that crumpled bows and overextended bellies were the only casualties of our insanity.

Speaking of presents, I know there are many among you that believe gift giving is a lesser form of love expression and should be discouraged at Christmastime but I couldn’t disagree more. A thoughtful gift, whether crafted by doting hands or painstakingly picked out after much reflection, not only speaks of the bearer’s affection but also of their unique personality. I’m a big fan of bestowing gifts; I enjoy finding or creating presents that the receivers didn’t know they always wanted. This year, in addition to the many items I purchased, I crocheted scarves for Jason’s brothers and knitted a hat for my sister-in-law. It’s too bad that Jason’s siblings are such large fellows; their scarves took much longer to weave than they would have for recipients closer to my size. These tasks of love, and cramped fingers, were the reason for our late bed-going on Christmas Eve but I made that sacrifice of sleep happily for I believe in the importance of gifts.

Christmas, you big scoop of extreme consumerism drizzled with some hope of humanity and topped with a sense of brotherhood, long may you inspire kindness and excessive shopping. For, although you may not be perfect, you always provide necessary light amid winter’s months of dreary darkness.