Christmas…
I feel for the parents out today hunting more batteries for the kid’s toys…
The Day After Christmas
Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house,
Every creature was hurtin’ even the mouse.
The toys were all broken, their batteries dead;
Santa passed out, with some ice on his head.
Wrapping and ribbons just covered the floor,
While upstairs the family continued to snore.
And I in my T-shirt, new Reeboks and jeans,
I went into the kitchen and started to clean.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the sink to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the curtains, and threw up the sash.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a little white truck, with an oversized mirror.
The driver was smiling, so lively and grand;
The patch on his jacket said “U.S. POSTMAN.”
With a handful of bills, he grinned like a fox.
Then quickly he stuffed them into our mailbox.
Bill after bill, after bill, they still came.
Whistling and shouting he called them by name:
“Now Dillard’s, now Broadway’s, now Penny’s and Sears
Here’s Robinson’s, Levitz’s and Target’s and Mervyn’s.
To the tip or your limit, every store, every mall,
Now chargeaway–chargeaway–chargeaway all!”
He whooped and he whistled as he finished his work.
He filled up the box, and then turned with a jerk.
He sprang to his truck and he drove down the road,
Driving much faster with just half a load.
Then I heard him exclaim with great holiday cheer,
“ENJOY WHAT YOU BOUGHT…….
YOU’LL BE PAYING ALL YEAR!”
Heh. My son has been playing with his Snap Circuit set for the last couple days. We may make an engineer of him yet.
Hehe, a neat retake on the poem.
And a reminder to NOT go into debt for Christmas gifts!
I received no lists from any nieces or nephews this year (no kids of my own) so I re-gifted. Was doing some reorganization around the house and found a few things. Some books that I thought niece one would like, one about the law of self defense (she wants to be a cop) and a copy of Saving Grace by Brigid (she’s adopted). I found a really nice sketchbook that I had probably had for 25 years and gave it to niece two who sketches. An elf for the stocking of a girl living with my sister while she finishes high school (and a coffee card, I’m not totally heartless). Nephew (twelve y.o.) got a day out with his Uncle Heresolong, activity to be determined. He may want to go shooting so that would work out nicely once the weather warms up a bit.
All in all I’m hoping the gifts will be more meaningful than stuff from the big box store and I cleared a few things out of the house at little to no expense.
Full disclosure: There was another book I thought about gifting but then couldn’t part with it, so I’m wasn’t totally magnanimous.
No Christmas debt here. Didn’t do it in the past. A card with cash always seems to be welcome.
A Christmas debtor will never be me.
What I cannot afford won’t be under the tree…
Back in the old days of my youth, Christmas presents per child were: 1 expensive present (reasonably expensive, not overly expensive,) a couple inexpensive toys, clothes and a stocking full of citrus, candy and nuts.
Can you imagine the self-indulgent people today surviving on such minimalistism?
So our Christmases here have always been such. No charging, only what you can afford, thought that counts, and so forth.
And I don’t pick up hints very well, so that further could compound the issue. Fortunately my wife accepts my holiday cooking skills as a gift.
JMI- Congratulations??? 🙂
Jonathan- Point!!!
Hereso- Neat idea! Well done!!!
WSF/Tom- 🙂
Beans- I still remember getting peanuts and an actual ORANGE in my Christmas stocking as a kid! 😉 And no, the people today wouldn’t/couldn’t do that… They would melt down!
Happy Boxing Day!
No Xmas debt here. And don’t feel one bit chintzy.
(Although daughter’s boyfriend will only be able fill his gas tank to 1/3rd full.)
I’m with WSF. NO DEBT. That said, I enjoyed the poetry, nice 🙂
My one son get’s a family pass to Henry Ford Museum/Greenfield Village.
He uses it all year, every year. I get a pass out of the deal also, but I’ve yet to take advantage of it.
Our other two son’s don’t have families, but they get a gift card also.
I don’t know what to buy the grandkids that wouldn’t get lost in the clutter of their other gifts/toys.