Carol's Corner

Children excitedly make wish lists or at least tell others what they want for Christmas. Often it is the popular toy of the year or electronics of various kinds. They count down the days until school is out for a holiday and how many sleeps until they can open gifts. Some children’s curiosity (and adults too) get the best of them and snooping at wrapped gifts under the tree occurs. Looking, touching, and maybe a shake or two when no one is looking, hoping their desired gift will appear in one of those colourfully wrapped gifts.

I remember the excitement of waiting for Christmas morning. I knew the gifts would not be many or expensive but the lure of the unknown drew me and I peeked under the tree looking for my name on a tag. I enjoyed buying gifts for my children. They always received more than I ever had. I listened to my mother’s stories of her gifts and wondered if each generation expected more and bigger presents.

Now my grandchildren sneak peeks at the wrappings and look for their names. They give me wish lists of items, some easy to fill and others beyond the budget. I ask myself if they appreciate expensive gadgets and gizmos, name brand clothes or practical things like musical instruments more than I loved the simple gifts I received. I ask myself which gift will last beyond this year or next.

As a young girl, I often heard stories of my mother’s childhood Christmas traditions and gifts. They never hung stockings but rather set cereal bowls on the table in anticipation of some treats such as hard candy or an orange. Occasionally a present appeared as well. The Christmas of 1930 when my mom was almost four and her older sister and best friend had just turned five, their bowls held treasure beyond their imaginations. Along with the edible treats appeared a toy china tea set and a sad iron for the girls to share. My mom told me they thought they had so much and enjoyed playing house together, sharing two small gifts.

Today that little tea set and sad iron, well played with by two young girls, resides in my home – still treasured, almost 90 years later. How many gifts, given this year, will last nine years let alone almost a century? Maybe simplicity is a key.

Do you have presents from years gone by displayed, used or treasured in your home or family? What stories can you tell to the next generation about those items?