It was one of those things that you really don’t expect, but you wish you could have.

In the past, my family bought gifts one for another, each one spending massive amounts of money. After a few years, I had threatened to quit coming in protest of the gross commercialism and gift competition that was becoming our celebration. In fact, it just kept getting more expensive as the competitive nature of the thing surfaced. I didn’t want to be outdone, but I just couldn’t afford to buy another $600 (or more) in presents for everyone.

So, to make a long story short, I used my political skills to institute a new program, in which each person would buy $100 in gifts for one other person selected at random by drawing names. I was happy with it and thought everyone else was for several years. I would have been just as satisfied with a ‘no present’ Christmas, but I didn’t think my fellow legislators could sell that to their constituents. Last year, however, several family members filibustered my bill to continue the Christmas drawing, pulling the heart strings by noting that they couldn’t afford to buy a $100 gift. So, we all agreed not to buy gifts for each other at all, or so I thought. The first year, a few rule breakers came to light, bringing small presents for everyone.

Then this Christmas, those same family members (and some others) proceeded to buy gifts for numerous people. The problem? Well, I know I like to receive presents, but there were several family members for which I bought nothing, naively thinking that the gift exchanging was a thing of the past. There again, who has the right to tell a man or woman for whom they may buy a gift? It can get pretty challenging to solve these family riddles.

Under mountain law, as recorded by uncle Moses on a hickory stump on the back 40 of the farm, I am beholden to them for the gift that I couldn’t reciprocate. Coincidentally, I did do the same thing to another friend with whom I usually don’t exchange gifts, but only because I was shopping and saw something that he would really want. He appreciated the thought, but I hope he didn’t feel the same way I did when I got all those presents on Sunday. Then again, it’s a little different to get one small $5 item than it is to get two or three bags full of gifts from everyone in the family.

Maybe I’ll make another attempt to get the one person gift thing passed through our family ‘congress’ again at Easter, complete with name drawing (or even name calling, if needed). I probably lack the political capital to push the whole thing through without ‘bi-parentisan’ support. I may just have to buy gifts next year for all those who bought me something this year.

You know, I hope that we don’t get back to the credit card Christmas thing, because I may have to threaten another boycott. Of course, who could pass up on the opportunity to gather and eat quiche and casserole next year? Don’t tempt me, people.

All kidding aside, we had a very nice family gathering on Sunday, with my sister and her husband driving up from the southern part of the state with their family, my other sister and I both coming with our families and there, at the head of the table, was my father, enjoying the meal surrounded by his progeny.

It was a peaceful and happy day for him and the others, without a cross word being spoken. It’s always nice to have a day go by with that many people who aren’t used to being around one another in a small house with no one getting upset. Even the children got along.

I also received some of those random Christmas cards this year, including one from a fellow who had some nice words to say about the column. It’s always nice to be the recipient of kindness.

Even though I was off work for a couple of days for the holiday, I really didn’t do much other than fetch firewood and take one really hectic all day shopping trip to buy up Christmas gifts. I had to wait until the day before Christmas Eve to go shopping. Would that day be Christmas Eve eve?

I suppose that’s just one of those mysteries like vegetable oil that we may never have an answer to. Think about it, have you ever seen oil come out of a green bean or a pea on your plate? I’ve boiled a lot of corn and I’ve never seen a drop of oil in the water when I got finished. But there are lots of mysteries in the world, that’s just another one. I’ll just have to be content knowing that there is a scientist somewhere studying these sorts of things with my hard-earned tax money.

Since it is the last week of the year, I’ve been working on my resolutions for the coming year. I hope to review last year’s resolutions and decide how well I did. It would seem that my record for past accomplishment leaves something to be desired.

Maybe I’ll start going back to the Wellness Center on a more regular basis, eat right and learn to juggle. If not, then I could just eat more and start to jiggle. After all, the new year is mine to change, for the good or bad.

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