Roxie told me not to blog about her. Too bad.
Today I was thinking about the Christmas that my mom got really creative. I say "my mom" because I can't see my dad planning this. It was probably a surprise to him too. Either my family was low on Christmas money OR my mom went on strike from the regular Christmas shopping. (probably the latter because she frequently went on strike from things).
The rules of Christmas Day:
1. Children must wake up at a decent hour to find never-before-seen presents wrapped near the tree.
2. Parents must immediately arise (no need for getting dressed), come out to the tree, act astonished at the sight of all the presents, and coordinate the unwrapping.
3. The rest of the day must be spent eating and playing with new presents.
I think I was 16. Brothers ages: 14, 11, 8?
Children came downstairs in accordance with rule 1. No presents.
Were they in the garage? (Christmas joke of 1996) No.
Parents arise from their room already in jeans (sign of broken rule #2).
Suspicious envelope on the coffee table. Several plates of goodies on the counter.
This envelope contained the first destination-clue to our Christmas adventure.
We were told to report to Denny's for breakfast. No other explanation.
Okay. Denny's. Then presents.
Next clue: the Fire station. Give the firemen goodies in exchange for another envelope.
The bus station.
Buck Owen's Crystal Palace (a local tourist attraction).
Go to the movies. (tickets enclosed)
You can see that this took all day. Oh, the suspense! Mom and Dad were smirking. And vague.
The goodies were generally appreciated. Some people were just confused.
We liked the treat-giving part. Everyone likes treats. Mom made them!
Finally, a tank of gas later, my brothers doubting that there were any presents at all, we turned for home.
The last clue: our school sand box. Hmm. Dig?
Mom helped with "cold/hot" directions in the sand.
MONEY! (Each child got a big hunk of cash).
Rule number three was basically out the window, but we were satisfied with the ending to a very fun Christmas Day. Well, I was satisfied (maybe my brothers felt gypped).
I don't even remember what I bought.
I appreciate that day more as I get older. Thanks, mom.
5 years ago
8 comments:
Mom used to put different stickers on the presents so we didn't know which ones went to whom. Then Christmas Eve just before we went to bed, we got a little riddle which told us which sticker was ours. It was always fun. Go creative mothers.
I love Roxie. There's always a good time when she's around.
I also love money. (But not in the prideful, Book of Mormon kind of way.)
This is how it really went...Dad slept in the back of the van while I drove the clue guessers all over town. At the bus station the man behind the counter refused to participate because he was Middle Eastern and he acted like he didn't know when Christmas was. Mason was furious because he thought he should get a car instead of the lousy $100 bill. Kyle and Blake kept waiting for the gifts to arrive and Emily just needed the whole thing to be over because she had places to go and people to see. And Emily...the "treasure" of money was actually in the backyard tied around the dog's collar. Just think--you never really even needed to leave home. hahahahahahahahahahahahaha--belly laugh.
I have something to say about that Christmas! Number One, I was 16 because I wanted a car rather than Jeans like I had got the year prior. Number Two, You can say that you were happy and proud of that display of trickery that mom played on us, but you said it yourself, those are christmas rules!! Rules for Christmas may never be broken. Right now, mom is still trying to defend her case, saying "it was fun, remember." I was spoiled and only wanted presents and didn't understand what Christmas was about, but what teenager isn't? Anyway, I love mom so much and I can't wait for Christmas this year!! She has so much to offer and is always willing to give an arm and a leg so that her oldest son will have tons of presents and be happy. She learned her lesson that year and would never do that again, right mom?
Okay, so I know you don't even know me, but I stumbled on to your blog (linked to Harmony's)and I couldn't stop laughing at your Christmas adventure! Ha! Too funny! Isn't Christmas and all the memories the BEST?! -So I am Harmony's cousin, Megan sister, and in your mom's ward. Whew! Catch all of that? Just wanted to say hi and tell you that you have an ADORABLE family! Merry Christmas!
i love roxie too. this was awesome.
Hey Emily, its Anna Bliss (Kessie now) from high school. I don't know if you remember me, but I loved your Christmas story! I wonder what I would have thought if that happened to me.
Hey!!!! We found you! Glad to see your Blogability. Keep in touch! Cute baby guys!
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