“Why do the 12 days of Christmas baffle everyone?”

CHRISTMAS TIME

©Mae Ondracek 7/20/2005

Here it is Christmas time again and I’m still wondering the same old thing; why do the 12 days of Christmas baffle everyone?

If I was a kid, I sure could ask that, but I’m a grown-up person and as I watch all the people at the stores and all the shops, I really do wonder by the baffle everyone gets.

Everyone is so caught up with seeing all the pretty things in the stores on the shelves, that they just don’t know what to do. They pick up one thing, and then set it down to pick up another one. They’ll walk away and soon they are back with it and put it down and pick up the first thing they had. I really don’t understand people.

Everyone should be like me; make a list and go to the store and buy what is on the list. It’s that simple.

I give a funny little laugh and remember how it was years ago. I didn’t make a list and boy, was that aggravating. I’d get to the store and act just like these people do. But it took me only two years to be like I am now. I make a list and follow it, then I can get something small for the little kids to enjoy. It was fun shopping this way and it was great to see the faces of everyone when they opened their gifts.

I still remember my granddaughter last Christmas, when she said, “Oh, Grandma, how did you ever know I wanted this doll?”

Yes, I had to laugh because the little kids sure come up with some interesting things. Then, too, Aunt Beth sure was surprised last year when she opened up her package and seen it was a toaster. I remember how she laughed and said, “Now I won’t have to eat burnt toast anymore.” That made me real happy because I didn’t like burnt toast, either.

And Uncle Jake. Last year when he opened his package, he was speechless. His eyes teared up and he said, “Oh, Mary. How did you know I needed this?” and he wiped away the tears, enjoying his much needed saw. It was electric, but better than his old one that was all taped up.

Yes, I’ve had some great times with picking out great gifts for everyone and I know I’ll do it again this year because I sure keep my ears open and write down things just as soon as I can. It is fun to shop these 12 days of Christmas and I’m really going to have fun this year, too. I’m going to get some really fascinating things this year and won’t people be surprised.