Christmas Day, we went to our daughter Laura and son-in-law’s home and spent the later part of the day with our children and grandchildren. My next younger sister will be hosting her family gathering today. Still others will have spent the day by themselves or may have attended a Christmas service. There’s more than one way to pass the day.

For us it was a special—and delicious— dinner together, with turkey, dressing, vegetables, mashed potatoes and ham. We went light on the dessert fare, but sent a treat home with each person—those mint mint smoothies by a certain candy-making company in Stratford, Ontario. No one goes away hungry unless they so choose. Plus the day was an opportunity to spend time together and talk about things important to us as well as watching the children play.

The children were excited about the gifts under the tree. Four-year-old Evy asked, “When will we open gifts?”

“Very soon, sweetie,” I said. “Your Mommy is just putting away the food.”

And she grinned. For she was looking forward to that time. The brightly wrapped packages had no doubt sent out their beckoning beams. Before long we gathered in the living room—adults, children and even the dogs, Buddy and Fin.

Daughter Sarah asked if the children would like to help give out the gifts and both gathered around  their aunt, nodding heads and jumping up and down. And so began the next part of the evening, the opening of gifts, carefully selected for each person in our gift-giving draw. A teen liked his new hoodie and the i-tunes card and showed me how he could download the gift right there. A coffee maker for the Grandpa in the group so he can make one cup at a time.  Fleece hats for the children to wear when they go outdoors and slide down the hill on their new toboggan.  that was brought in near the end, a gift for their family. The Alice Munro short story collection, another highly rated book for an avid reader in the crowd. An herbal tea selection for me, the “Gandma” as my grandchildren call me. Last but not least was a mini trampoline for the energetic youngster’s indoor play.

There’s always help to open our packages, w hen there are small children and that makes it even more fun. Two small ones modelling their new fleece hats, me opening a package and a small one ready to help, which she did. Auntie Adrienne and the two-year-old having a conversation.

We are blessed indeed, that our family is nearby and that we can spend Christmas with them.