It was December 24, 1956. I had waited until the afternoon of Christmas Eve to begin my shopping spree. I had $10 saved up from my paper route and Mama Ida kicked in an extra five dollars so I could buy a present for everyone on my list.
As I walked downtown, it was spitting snow. The lamp posts were adorned with Christmas lights and greenery and there was a Lionel train and a miniature town set up in the storefront of Caldwell’s Hardware.
Every store I entered was decorated with Christmas ornaments and lights and Christmas music was in the air. The personnel at each store welcomed the young man who they recognized as a patron in need of last-minute help. Mrs. Yarid at Yarid’s Ladies Shop recommended a fine handkerchief for Mama Ida and a navy-blue scarf for my mom. At the dime store, Ralph Barr helped me select a doll for my sister, Johanna, a cap gun for my brother Pat and a toy football for my youngest brother, Charlie. At Coleman’s Drug Store, Bill Coleman came from behind the counter and suggested a bottle of hand soap for my Aunt Jodi and some cologne for Uncle Jim. I had about $3 remaining, just enough to buy a spiffy red tie for my Dad from Yarid’s Men’s Shop. I think it was a little more than that, but that’s all Munir Yarid charged me. Somehow, he knew my funds were running low. But now my shopping list was complete.
The snow was coming down a little harder as I returned home. It was about a half-mile, but I had walked and biked it often. It was my paper route. I knew the name of most every resident on both sides of the street. It was like that in a small town.
Busy at the wrapping table, I assembled my gifts, the Christmas paper, ribbons and bows as best I could, but at the end of the day, it was clear which presents under the tree had been wrapped by a 12-year old boy.
That night, some carolers from church came by the house and we invited them in for a bit of Daddy’s homemade eggnog. They sang with much more enthusiasm after a couple cups. Daddy made pretty strong eggnog.
What a difference between Christmas shopping back then when compared to modern times with a “click” here and a “click” there and on to the check-out line on a lap top.
That Christmas was among my fondest memories and I don’t even recall what I got. All I remember was that it was the first Christmas I personally picked out and wrapped a present for each member of my family and I was fully absorbed in the spirit of giving.
And after all, isn’t that what Christmas is really all about?