by Angela Sanford

Over the last few days of school before the holiday break, I led a game of Family Feud amongst the staff at HNRH. Family Feud is a favourite of mine and while I enjoy getting the correct responses I often find myself analytical of the responses on the board – like, how does beard become the number one answer to “Name something you need to dress like Santa?” I mean, obviously you need a red suit first ( the number 2 response)!
One question I used in the friendly competition was “Name something you dislike about Christmas.” Interestingly enough the top two answers are conditions we have control of ourselves: the cost (41%) and the commercialism (18%).
Our family has never been extravagant at Christmas time ( or any other gift giving time for that matter). I recall one Christmas before we had our own children, when we bought for our nieces and nephews, just how tight funds were that year and the discussion of whether or not to even continue to buy for them. The following Christmas we had our first son, Devin, and the Christmas budget was still very tight but we made it happen and he knew nothing different, being only 8 months old.
Those lean years set a precedent for us and as someone who absolutely despises shopping, keeping Christmas cost minimal wasn’t overly difficult. I also loved making ,(and receiving) handmade gifts and for many years I gifted people items I had made myself.It allowed me to give a piece of my time, while saving on expenses, to those who held a special place in my life. However, these gifts were not always appreciated by the recipients as one person quite frankly declared, asking that I no longer make her things as she preferred that I purchase her gift going forward. YES, that really happened.
As my boys grew up I realized the true cost of Christmas – time, itself. When the season should be a time of reflection, family, and the spirit of giving it often becomes hectic, rushed, and exhausting trying to manage the time to prepare, shop, visit, etc. Now that the boys are grown, that cost of time is very real. I reminisce of the simpler times we spent together, baking, wrapping, and many, many games of pool.
I miss those moments immensely and time has taken family members and friends from our Christmas celebrations, but I am fortunate that have such wonderful memories to look back upon. As I hung each of the ornaments on our family tree, I thought of these moments with family and friends. When I baked certain treats for visitors to our home, I recall the reason, often the person for whom that treat has become a family favourite.
This year, despite not being an extravagant shopper anyhow, I cut back on the commercialism of the day, offering gifts to our boys and their families that, I hope, will share time with us and with one another. That is the gift on my wish list every year – spend time with me doing something we enjoy.
I have always appreciated the time people extend to me and as I age, it means even more to me as I am aware that time is the most valuable gift and I never know when I will not be afforded any more time. Finding time is challenging in the fast-paced society we live in and I am grateful for even the shortest moments that people give to me, not just during the olidays but throughout the year.
Thanks to each one of you who took the time this year to talk, to share an event, to offer me something from your hands, for any moment of time you gave. Your time is the gift that gives all year, and while it often has no monetary value, it is worthy beyond words and I will continue to spend my break, reflecting on the times shared and the gift that time brings to me, to my family, to my friends, and to each of you! Merry Christmas.
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