You guys,
If I could describe Christmas for my 16-month-old son in one word?
Overwhelming.
By the fourth present we handed George, he vigorously shook his head no. He was done.
When I relayed the morning’s events to my mom she replied, “He’ll get used to it.” And when I told my girlfriend about it she said, “That age is so overwhelming for kids.”
So even though the present overload is clearly too much, we still keep doing it year after year, until eventually, kids just get used to it?
When our nanny came over we asked if she got anything good for Christmas. She looked like she was thinking hard. “I can’t remember.”
Even as adults, we receive too many presents in such a short span of time and it’s difficult to process and appreciate each gift.
Sam and I opted to not get George any gifts this year but there were dozens of presents from family and friends piled high under the Christmas tree. We tried to spread them out over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but I was even overwhelmed by the magnitude of toys and clothes and books.
Christmas is my favorite time of year. The magic, the music, the twinkling lights, the cookies, the friendly exchanges with strangers.
But the presents are excessive.
Essay of the Week
I did no writing or learning on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so on the morning of the 26th, while watching George play with his new tricycle and waiting for my in-laws to leave, I felt like I had fallen behind. I needed to write something.
I didn’t write this week’s essay for you, however much I appreciate you reading. I wrote it for myself. Because every essay I write and publish makes me a better writer.
Believe
On Christmas Eve, I laid in bed next to Sam and stared at the ceiling, panicked.
How would we explain Santa Claus to George? Sam and I promised each other we won’t lie to him about anything, so how do I describe the fictional character I adore as real without lying?
I thought back to my childhood days when I imagined Santa and his reindeer flying through the sky. I thought of 5th grade, the year I learned there was no Santa Claus (yes, I was the last one in my class to still believe) and probably the first time I felt a little depression. And I thought of how I eventually decided that even though there wasn’t a jolly fat man delivering presents around the world on Christmas Eve, it was still a magical time of year.
What will my son’s experience with Santa Claus be like? And what is my responsibility as a parent?
I’m stressed out about Santa Claus. Someone please help.
—
Until next week,
Charlie