around the christmas tree

I called a friend and consulted everything about the gift rituals associated with the Christmas tree. it's about playing up the consumerism just enough to suit our needs. totally energized, I took the whole day off to do the shopping. it was a good decision: a very different crowd in the malls during a week day like this. with no daughter and husband on the side, I took my time sitting around and sipping coffee at my lunch break. I never longed for this kind of freedom. when it was here, it was not bad at all. I was mingling with all the senior citizens everywhere. one ultra-kind silver-haired old lady let me stand in front of her on the line-up, "go ahead, sweetie, I've got all the time in the world!" so sweet and heart-warming for the season!

shopping for sienna was a tough call. I want to see her face beaming up with surprise and delight on the Christmas morning. yet I am so reluctant to add any item to her massive collection of clothes and toys and books. they would have been enough for the whole kindergarten to share around the time when I was growing up.

then, something popped up that made me smile for the rest of the day: an old-fashioned theatre popcorn machine. it's not just an imitation, but a real electrical hot-air popper! every time we pass by a red/gold popcorn cart in the mall, we put a loonie to get a bag. it would be so magical if this machine is right inside our house!

for the rest of the world that I need to give presents to, it was easy! I went into a japans ceramic store and came out with three big bags of goodies. I mean, who on earth would reject a set of Japanese bowls or a pair of green tea mugs with Japanese written on them?

I consider buying presents one of my favourite things to do on any occasions. but looking at all the gifts boxes and bags overflowing underneath the Christmas tree does make me feel particularly giving. hey, maybe, I am getting the spirit of the Christmas.