CHRISTMAS PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE.

When I was small, I would sneak out of my room in the dark and look at the presents under the tree. The labels were always up, and I could see which ones belonged to what sibling. My Christmas mornings were often spent curled up in the corner of the couch watching the gifts being handed out.
And no, I didn’t get any. Except for one year. Under the tree was a brightly wrapped round present, sitting behind all the others. And Santa had put my name on it. I could hardly wait. Santa had given me a bouncy ball. But the next morning my name had been removed and replaced with one of my siblings names.
As I grew up, I choose to accept that Santa forgot me, rather than listen to the taunts of my siblings.
When I had children of my own, I tried not to go overboard with gifts for them. Everything was even right down the line, down to the amount I spent on each one and the amount of brightly wrapped parcels under the tree. (And there were a few). Every year I would buy a family game and the label said ‘to everyone’.
Now I have grandchildren. Three of my own, three step grandchildren and now I have inherited two more step grandchildren. But to me, there is no step, a grandchild is a grandchild. It’s not their fault that their family dynamics haven’t worked out right. So I tell everyone I have eight grandchildren.
This year all my presents are home made, and I have biscuits, fudge and chocolates all wrapped up and ready to go. And I still find myself dividing them right down the line, to the extent of counting lollies out so no one gets upset.

Oh well, never mind, I get to eat the odd ones out lol.