It is the day after the day after Christmas, and I sincerely
hope that everyone had a special and meaningful celebration this year. And it
wouldn't hurt if you got the gift you wanted, so I’ll hope that happened for
you, too.
But, the simple fact is that even if we all got what we wanted, it may not have come in the
right color or fit as well as we hoped. And those gift cards? Well, we probably
planned what we would like to purchase with them before we even received them.
Not to mention the fact that this year’s Christmas season was a three week
whirlwind of purchases, as opposed to the four
week white-out blizzard of a
purchasing season to which we are accustomed. It all adds up to this: The
nation’s retail outlets and malls are full of happy shoppers, ready to make
even more purchases.
Some items are still in stock! GET THEM! They’re on sale!?
GET THEM DOUBLE!
If I’m sounding a tad bit sarcastic, it’s because I am. It
seems like the ideal objective this time of year would be to enjoy a relaxing
day or two off surrounded by the loved ones with whom you don’t always get to
spend time. And let’s not forget that as gift-givers and gift-receivers, we are
in a good and fortunate place to begin with. Good times and bank accounts are
like the wind; they’ll blow south just as quickly as they rise north. With that
in mind, we are lucky to be experiencing a gift exchange this season and a good
deal of thanks should accompany that.
That said, I am steadfastly dedicated to written (though not
always lived) optimism, so let’s put a positive spin on the returns, exchanges,
and gift-card purchases that are taking place.
What’s the point of getting back to the mall the day after
Christmas, returns and exchanges in hand? The point is that you’re still in the
Christmas spirit! Someone who loves you gave you something that doesn’t fit…or
that doesn’t interest you…or that you just won’t use, but they gave it to you
in the spirit of Christmas. So while Christmas is still in season, there is an
opportunity to exchange the item so you can make use of that generosity. How
gracious is it to accept a gift that you’ll throw in the closet and forget
about?
For example, when I was seven, my Memere (pronounced “meh-may”
for those of you even less French than I am) gave me a sweatshirt that fit well
and kept me warm. Unfortunately, it had a picture of a sweet-looking bunny
wearing a pink ribbon on it, and I was a boy hoping for a Ninja Turtle. This
bunny, it should be said, did not appear to know any of the martial arts. Just
as I took it out of the box – and a look of horror crossed my face – my mum
jabbed me in the side and gave me a stare that said, you love it.
“Thanks, Memere, I love it!”
The next day, my mum facilitated the sweatshirt’s transfer
to a family friend. She liked bunnies, so the gift was far more fitting. Though there was love in the giving, how
gracious would it have been for me to keep a sweatshirt that my Memere would never see me wear? Except, of course, under duress.
Merry Christmas everyone!
P.S. Enjoy these pictures of a near-empty Prudential Mall,
especially if you’re there wading through the crowds. ;)
Til next time!
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