Thought for the day - how Christmas gifts change as you age...or do they?

Now that the Christmas season is almost over, I am reflecting upon the many wonderful gifts I received this year and how my attitude towards what I want for Christmas has changed, mostly, as I have gotten older.  While growing up in the late 70's and the 80's, for me the official beginning of the holiday season came with the arrival of the Sear's Wish Book.

I remember the Sears we had in Monroe at that time. It was mostly an appliance store.  You did not buy clothes and toys and such there, but we did get our bulk detergent from there I recall.  And every year, Mom would stop by Sears, which was at the end of the shopping center where Rose's was on Skyway Drive, and buy a Wish Book for us.  I would spend hours looking at all of the amazing toy layouts that they had in the book, furiously writing down my choices of what Santa was to bring me.  Ah, that was Christmas to me!

As I am now an adult, my tastes have changed somewhat.  I rarely ask for anything that isn't practical anymore.  Presents, such as clothes, which would have disappointed me as a child, now make me very happy.  Of course, there will always be silly gifts and fun gifts, especially with stockings because that's what they're for.  But now I crave things that can be part of my daily life. 

Michael always says that he doesn't pay attention and gets me gifts that he is unsure if I'll like or not.  Actually, he listens quite well as proof with the antique milk glass deviled egg plate he got me a few Christmases ago.  More importantly, he knows the things that I need and things I will use and out of that knowledge come wonderful gifts...so he does pay attention whether or not he realizes it.

This Christmas, I got things like socks and underwear, which I was thrilled about.  I got a kitchen funnel and a pair of salad tongs, both of which I will use.  Oddly enough, I have been wanting salad tongs for years and was going to put them on my list if I had ever gotten around to making one.  Anyone who works in hospitality will agree that the foot spa and foot massager I received are both extremely welcomed additions to our home!  These are all things that, as a child, I probably would have balked at.  As a young child, I might have even made a scene if I had opened up a beautifully wrapped package only to find underwear there.  These gifts aren't the shiny toys I longed for in my childhood.  These are the ones I long for in my adulthood!

But then, I open up something that brings a flood of memories back.  Once again, I am a child.  And Michael thinks he's not paying attention.  I disagree.

Happy Holidays!