Christmas Crisis Averted

I don't know why I get so worked up for Christmas every year. It never ends up being a horrible disaster. At least not anymore. Maybe my family has just stopped caring? Or maybe they've come to the conclusion that I'm super gay and won't ask about a partner until I tell them and they can't ignore it. Either way, if I don't have to answer boyfriend questions, I'm a happy camper. And while my one aunt was clearly "chomping at the bit" to talk to me about teaching and how I was finding teacher's college, she didn't once insult me. Do I have street cred now or something? Family confuses me.

There was however one incident. My grandfather, with his ever-pleasant demeanour, decided that he wasn't happy with one of his gifts. He sulked when he opened it and asked what he was expected to use it for. It was a gift certificate to Canadian Tire. We all suspect it was a hint to purchase the remaining two winter tires he needs. We live in northern Ontario. You need winter tires and you need them in the front and back of your car. I completely missed that incident. I don't know where I was... probably eating and not caring about what was going on around me... we'll just say I was in the bathroom. When my sister, who was completely scandalized, told me of the incident, I kind of wanted to laugh.

There are two reasons I found the situation humorous. The first is that my grandfather's behaviour is not at all outside his norm. He's a miserable man who, quite frankly, should count himself lucky that people still visit him, let alone give him gifts. So, surprised that he did it in front of everyone? A little. Surprised that he did it? Absolutely not.

The second reason is the funnier of the two. Yesterday, my mother spent a considerable amount of time wrapping gift cards. Yup, she's that meticulous. Well, this morning we all gathered to open our gifts. I got some lovely new cardigans (which according to the grade nines, I wear a lot of). My mom got her sweatpants which she is not allowed to leave the house in. My dad got some movies. My sister was the recipient of the majority of the gift cards. She got one for Shoppers, she got one for gas, she got one for a restaurant... Wait, a restaurant? My mom paused over that. My sister wasn't supposed to get a gift card to a restaurant. That was supposed to go to my grandparents. Being me, I logically suggested opening my grandparents' gift card. After some fiddling with the wrapping, we came upon my sister's gift. A gift card to La Senza.

If my grandfather was unhappy with a Canadian Tire gift certificate, I'm curious to know how he would have reacted to getting a gift card to La Senza. Now how would he use that one?

Where one can purchase car parts, tools, decorations, cookware stuff, winter clothing...

OR WHAT HE NEARLY GOT...

A lingerie store where nothing there would fit him. 

I don't think those are the kind of tires a car requires in Northern Ontario. See? I don't know why I panic. With shit like this happening, I should be endlessly entertained.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Lauren.