December 24, 2008

The guy in the barber's chair next to mine was talking. He said he had gotten an electronic device, something I'd never heard of, for his son for Christmas.

"Cost me $800," he said, "for just one gift."

Which reminded me of my grandfather. He was born in 1899 and lived a good and long life. His childhood days weren't that great, though.

As an adult, he enjoyed Christmas. In fact, he was the one who took me to the attic and showed me how Santa got into the house. We didn't have a fireplace.

He was a very generous man, and not only at Christmas. But as a kid, my grandfather didn't have much. He told me about the Christmas morning when the only thing in his stocking was an orange. He said he was happy to get that because the year before he didn't get anything.

Because of my grandfather, I learned how fortunate I've been on every Christmas morning of my life.

Other things I've learned about Christmas:

There will always be at least one thing under the tree that can't be wrapped. The usual solution is to throw a sheet over it.

There will always be at least one clothing gift that doesn't fit.

A nicely wrapped present is sometimes nicer than what is inside.

There are two kinds of people in this world, those who wrap well and those who don't. If you are in the latter category, do what I do: Put the present in a gift bag and fill the bag with tissue paper.

Italians make the best Christmas cookies.

Church is the best place to be on Christmas Eve.

You don't see as many Santa Clauses around as you once did, and they don't look as good.

Some people are easy to buy for. Some people are impossible. Some people are easy to satisfy. Some people aren't.

Some people wait until the last minute to buy Christmas gifts. Some people start in the fall. My mother, rest her soul, was in the latter category. Sometimes she bought so early and hid the gifts so well, she forgot what she had purchased and where she had hidden the purchases.

Christmas music is wonderful, but don't start playing it in November. The week before is good enough for me. Too many Christmas songs make me sad.

I enjoy shopping the week after Christmas and taking advantage of the sales.

When I Christmas shop, I always find things I'd like for myself but have problems finding gifts for the people I'm shopping for.

Christmas decorations on the outside of houses are much more elaborate than in days past. These big time displays are nice to look at, but I'm satisfied with a candle in the window and a wreath on the door.

Shopping is tiring. I'm more tired after shopping than after leaving the gym.

No matter how prepared you are for Christmas, somebody has to run out for something on Christmas Day.

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Joe Kelly is the editor and publisher of The Boonville Herald & Adirondack Tourist and THE GRIFF.