Simple Gifts

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents,” grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.

That’s the first line from the 1868 classic Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. It makes me think about this time of year. We’re heading from Thanksgiving to the holiday season—Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, and a host of other holidays. Plus birthdays. Always birthdays. It’s definitely gift-giving season.

To a certain extent, I’m with Jo. Christmas means presents, among other things. But I’m at that age where I don’t need any more stuff. I’m valiantly trying to get rid of stuff.

Please, no more socks. How many pairs of socks can one person use? Over the past year or so I went through the sock drawer—and the scarf drawer and the jewelry. The local thrift store, which benefits the local animal shelter, got plenty of donations.

And clothes. It’s difficult to buy clothes for another person, though I’m a sucker for a T-shirt with a catchy saying. Did I mention the T-shirt drawer? See thrift store, above.

I’m also retired. I confess that I wear the same clothes over and over. After all, it’s just me and these cats, hanging out at home, writing. I do spiff up when I go out, though. I put on shoes. That counts. That reminds me of a sweatshirt I once gave my father for Christmas. It said: “I’m retired. This is as dressed up as I get.”

Getting back to gifts. Books are much appreciated and I have been known to give the title and author of the desired book when asked for suggestions. My mother was of the opinion that I already had way too many books so she never would give them to me as gifts.

I’ve come to the conclusion that at this stage of life, giving people things they can eat is a really good idea. There are several people on my gift list who like chocolate, so that always works. I have a friend who loves fruitcake, a substance she can take and I will gladly leave. My brother is fond of oysters in any form, so tins of smoked oysters find their way into his Christmas stocking. I make wonderful pumpkin bread and people on my gift list are always pleased to get a loaf.

If you’re as old as I am, perhaps you remember Geritol commercials. Geritol was and is a vitamin supplement (it’s still on the market!). In early TV commercials it was promoted as a cure for “iron poor, tired blood.” The commercial I’m thinking of, from the 1970s, features a woman saying, “We’ve got so much to be thankful for. We’ve got our health and when you’ve got your health, you’ve got just about everything.”

It was hokey back then. These days, I see the truth in the statement. That’s one of the Christmas presents I already have. I am in good health, despite occasional twinges and familiarity with ibuprofen and Tylenol. I have a roof over my head, a warm bed, kitties to cuddle and books to read. I have time to write and lots of ideas to write about. And memories of all sorts, the good outweighing the bad.

Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents. They’re already there, under the tree and all around me.