'Tis the Season

[RB in GA]

I remember when I was a little kid writing letters to Santa, hoping for that special under the tree gift, while hoping I didnt get the lump of coal I so often richly deserved .
Letters to Santa are just old-school now I guess.
I just got a powerpoint presentation (messaged to the entire clan) from one of my grandaughters, listing her Christmas list, complete with photos of said items, links to the best available buys (at the time), and relevant educational discounts. There was also a list of "secondary items", and a note of thanks for whatever might be given (a nice touch there I thought).
While I appreciate all the effort put into the list, as it will certainly help the process along as well as help her get what she feels she needs; I can't help but feel it makes it all seem so impersonal.
I also can't help but wonder when the concept of the "Season of Giving" shifted into the "Season of Expectation".

[Jackalope]

So get her a nice bag of coal, which isn't necessarily inexpensive.     I'm sure she would be surprised!

[JohnyMac]

WOW! What a great idea Jackalope.

In my family when growing up, there was a good sized lump of coal that made the rounds year after year as a present.

Then later in life, I found a real whaling harpoon complete with cast iron broadhead and wooden handle. The metal spear with cast iron broadhead would be thrown by the sailor, and it would imbed itself in the whale, and the wooden handle would fall away. Kind-a-like a sabot projectile. Once the harpoon was embedded in the whale you would take a 'Yankee sleigh ride'.

Anyway, I gave it to my step dad for Christmas one year as he was a big whaling collector of artifacts. When I gave it to him I could sense he really didn't like the gift. Well the following year, I received the harpoon back as a Christmas gift. This Indian giver Christmas gift thing went on for years. LOL.

My Brother and I have been clearing out my mom's house and I ran across that damn harpoon in a garden shed. Mmmm, I wonder who I will give that harpoon to this year for Christmas. 

[Jackalope]

Good story,Johny.  I believe I have a harpoon stashed here somewhere.  It was purchased during a trip to Maine, 40+ years ago.