I sat down here this evening to write a poem about Christmas, but as I sat here listening to the driblets of rain pelt on the window panes, I couldn’t help but think about Christmas’ past. Back in the days, when families got together, rosy cheeked grandfathers told stories of the meaning of Christmas with their own twist, and children’s eyes danced as the fire would flutter in the chimney. Ah, those were the good old days.
Days, when people married for life, good and bad. Back in times, when it snowed on Christmas, instead of pissing down. Back in the days, when kids believed in Santa Claus and were terrified of getting a lump of coal instead of presents. Back when our moms would leave cookies and milk out for Santa.
I remember Christmas all to well. It was a great day in my families house. It was peaceful once a year. I would pounce out of the bed at 4AM hunting my presents, like a kitten searching for its mothers milk. My heart would flutter, as I would come running down the hallway towards the den. I’d freeze at the entrance to the den, afraid and wanting to savour the joy. I’d clasp the carinate half column at the archway to the den and peek around the corner.
To my delight, I’d usually find presents for me and sister number 1. I would run back to her room, shake her until she woke up, and then go jump on my parents bed, screaming, "It is Christmas". He would reply by knocking me off the bed.
The parents would fall back to sleep and me and sis would unwrap our presents. Well, I’ve never been one to destroy anything, so I’d quickly unfurl the wrapping, while my sister would rip the wrapping to shreds, tossing it all over the room in the process.
Then, we’d go to my grandmothers house, where me and the other kids would tell my grandfather what we got from Santa. The most important thing though was family. My cousins that had a dad in the military would visit, so it was a very joyful day in my childhood. How ’bout you? 
The video is Fairytale of New York, by the Pogues and Kristy MacColl. Rest in peace Kristy.
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Family is the most important ingredient at Christmas and indeed through the year.
Your words paint a pretty picture.
I have celebrated Christmas once during the first 25 years of my life and that was in Canada when I was student exchange for 18 months, when I was 20 years old. It was special, because I was away from home and I got to spend it with another student’s family. Up until then in Turkey I have grown up to celebrate December 31st the new years eve, welcome the new year with family, friends, a big feast and pressies.
Since I moved to Australia 11 years ago, I got more and more familiar with Christmas. I see what you are talking about JD, like everything else that changed, Christmas is not so much a bringer of joy to the families as it were when everything was cheaper, there was more the spirit and less the shopping sprees. What I observe now adults cringe once the season starts, because they have to overload their credit cards then pay it off the next 6 months. Kids don’t appreciate little toys and expect computers, Ipods etc and frown when they don’t get them. It is a time of rushing and trying to get the bigger tree to show off to next door neighbo(u)r. And oh the poor trees. At a time when the planet needs every single green thing, let’s just chop them down every year, only to enjoy what max 2 weeks before the tree dies away and sheds on to the carpet.
What should be a joyful, happy season, with families relaxing and enjoying each others’ company, forgetting and forgiving grievances, is now a source of stress for many.
Wow, sorry JD, long comment. I guess I could have easily made a post of my own.
You have so beautifully described the spirit in the old days, it made me smile.
Gx
Tis true G. I couldn’t agree more. Christmas has been commercialised. A day that used to bring joy to a multitude of people is now a major headache for everyone involved. My parents raised me to be very humble. My dads family was very poor, so he would tell me how ecstatic he would get just to get a basket of fruit at Christmas. I reckon the entire world has gone mad!
I very vividly remember passing a GAME store in Henry Street last year and observing a stubby little lad screaming at his Mum, because she wouldn’t buy him a video game. At that moment, I could have sworn I was in America!
Ah, American commercialism at its worst. 
I’m glad I made you smile!
You know, there’s been a lot of blogging about the commercialisation of Christmas it’s obvious that the stores are milking us for all they can get but . . it’s up to YOU (well and me of course). If you don’t want to be affected by commercialism, then preserve those family values. We don’t go ballistic, we have a civilised breakfast then open pressies from youngest to oldest – very disciplined JD, none of this ripping into it! We take our time, prepare lunch, have a swim and a Mango Daquiri . . It’s casual, relaxing and fun. So there you go, you make it what you will and don’t have to be dragged into the commercial stuff. Personally, I love Christmas, it’s stress free and fun and one of the few times when our family actually gets together en masse
Oh it’s wonderful that you are on on the flipside of the madness and enjoy the festive season stress-free and fun. That’s what I don’t see a lot, is what I meant, I guess. People who don’t conform to the norm and take it one step further each time are my heroes, I tells ya!