Oh, the holidays

 

Being a transplant to the Heartland from Texas, I have gotten used to the unique gift giving here. Some years at work have been so secretive..well, when you have Secret Santa. One year I got some cologne from Victoria Secret and I still don't know who gave it to me. Nowadays I'm happy to get coupons for the Breakroom Snack Shelf. Yes, this really helps out when you don't carry cash and are in dire need of a snack at work.

Still, the natives of this area are very Christmas-oriented in gift giving, like Christmas tree figurines or a Santa..and of course, angels. Later, I have the guilt of wanting to send it on its way somewhere else since I don't have space for it. I am not sure if this is the Catholic factor. We do have a large Mormon population too. 

Usually, I think practical. But not as practical as some friends. One friend, her big gift to give to her kids is winter bedding. All are adults now, but before that, it was pajamas as if they would be ready for the Christmas photo op on Christmas morning.

It seems as of late the less I give is more. Most in my family love a good gift card. Yet, the men seem to expect undies and socks from me. I usually give shaving gear too. Naturally, I wonder why I am like this with my family. Growing up I would hear from my mom, "Don't be like that Aunt of yours!" She made her seem selfish. Although, I can't recall what I ever got from her. My mom would come back with, "Precisely!"

As the family grew into more families, she would put me on a guilt trip, "What are you going to give your nieces?" Of course, my sibling never gave my family anything, but that was beside the point..according to my mom. 

Now, I feel I have to divide it evenly with our immediate family. Last year I gave each a family bag of goodies. Hopefully, I will get that done this year too.