It’s a beautiful day, this Dec. 18, as I look at sunshine, blue skies and puddles on the sidewalk where the snow contines to melt. Not one’s idea of how Christmas should look in Canada.
And hearing comments like “Spring is on its way!” are somehow out of place when Christmas hasn’t even arrived yet.
But there’s still January and February for those who prefer snow storms, extreme wind and frigid temperatures. Count your blessings for the good weather while it’s here.
I couldn’t avoid listening to a silly little rant on one of the Kamloops’ radio stations the other day, and I’m still shaking my head at it. The radio host was sympathizing with a caller who complained that his girlfriend expected him to wrap his Christmas present to her. And not just to wrap it, but to do a nice job of it.
What was the point of taking time to wrap a gift, he complained, when the recipient was just going to tear the paper off, anyway.
The radio host sympathized and tried to make it a gender issue.
I thought, what’s the point, then, of getting dressed in the morning when you’re just going to get undressed before going to bed at the end of the day?
The next male caller said his family loved wrapping presents in different shapes to delight and surprise the recipient.
Everyone has their own reasons, I admit, but what is the reason for giving a gift, as opposed to something else? Is it as a surprise or is it an obligation?
I vote for surprise. I don’t like knowing the end of the movie before I go to see it, and I don’t like knowing what’s in that box with all the Christmas wrap on it. The surprise upon opening it is a big part of the fun, to me.
That’s why Gift Cards aren’t high on my Christmas List. Don’t get me wrong - I’ll take one if its offered, but it’s more like a paycheque than a gift that someone has given some thought to.
Although, with a little creative wrapping, even a Gift Card could surprise me.
Bacon-scented hand sanitizer, anyone?
Wendy Coomber is the editor of the Ashcroft-Cache Creek Journal