In the presence of presents

[listersgirl]

I got to open my first Christmas present last night! vestra is leaving for Victoria today, and so we decided that rather than carry the presents all the way home in order to open them during the friend gift exchange (at which point we'd just bring them back again), we'd just start Christmas a little early. I got a fabulous stripy hat that she knitted herself (far too talented for her own good), a cute red t-shirt with a retro skating logo on it, and a DVD of Goonies. Hell yeah.

And since we're on the subject of presents, more Christmas traditions.

2. The presents. I love to give people presents (and since I don't have any contact with my relatives (besides my parents), I am lucky enough to only have to buy presents for people who I actually like, and who actually appreciate getting the gifts - it makes a huge difference). My parents also love giving presents, and we all love getting presents. In particular, I'm a little obsessed with unwrapping presents, and we all agree that the anticipation is a big part of the fun.

So, a)there must be presents under the tree for as long as possible. Sadly, "as long as possible" usually translated to "dammit, it's Christmas Eve and we're still not done wrapping!", but we try. Especially because one of the best holiday moments is watching the cat sleep on top of all the wrapped presents. All of our cats have loved to do this, and I've never figured out why - I mean, it can't be that comfortable. Still, too cute.

b)There must be presents. In a physical form. Even if you already know what it is, even if you were there when it was bought. Also, there must be multiple presents, even if it means wrapping each CD individually. Every year my parents buy themselves something (usually some art) which they declare is their present to each other, and every year not only does it have to be wrapped, there are always other things under the tree (my role in the family is as present equalizer - I have to find out how many presents my dad bought for my mom, and vice versa, so that everybody gets the same amount). Last year, my parents gave me a DVD player, which meant that they bought it in Victoria, wrapped it, and put it under the tree, even though that meant that they had to pay to have it shipped out to Toronto. It would not have been the same for them if they'd just given me the money to buy it myself. I swear, we're really not that materialistic a family, we just *really* like unwrapping gifts and watching other people unwrap gifts. Which leads to,

c)everything must be wrapped. Everything. Even everything in the stockings, with the exception of the oranges at the toe. I think this one is probably mostly my influence, because I have an unhealthy love of the unwrapping, but it's fun! And then you can entertain the cat with ribbon, and throw balls of wrapping paper around.

Comments

[vestra.livejournal.com]

Unwrapping things is definitely excellent. We also wrap everything in the stockings (except the orange in the toe!)

Excellent unwrapping was had by us last night, wasn't it? I love my Jem and the Holograms shirt, and sassy pink underwear!! And the tea was yummy-

And, even though the idea of opening them last night was so I could make more room in my suitcase--now I want to take them all home with me, effectively cancelling out the effect of removing your present from the suitcase. Ah well, it's all good.

See ya on the coast!

[sarcasma.livejournal.com]

Well, I was pretty sure you had the brain for the whole day, today, but you started numbering at two. :D

[listersgirl]

Yes, but that's because it's MORE christmas traditions - yesterday, when I started the numbering, I only made it through one!

Of course, it's possible probable that only makes sense to me.

[sarcasma.livejournal.com]

OK, I guess the problem would be that I can't see yesterday's entry! Weird....