WGN Morning News Blog

Don't take me wrong, I love gift giving and receiving. I like figuring out what to give those I love and care for, wrap it and then see the joy on their face when they open the gift. But ever since I became and adult. i.e. started earning an income, I've seen my Christmas list lengthen dramatically.

The rule of thumb in my family and I think in most families is that the Christmas is for the kids. They get the gifts and the adults just live for that moment when Tommy or Amy opens what they really, really wanted. But here's the situation, for a very long time I was the kid in my family. My brother is six years older than me, my cousins 14 and 16 years older, so I was able to milk the gift thing for a very long time. The thing is that even though at 32 I'm no longer a child, my aunts keep giving me gifts for Christmas. So I give them gifts, but then my cousins give me gifts so I have to give them gifts and give their kids gifts. We are all aware this has snowballed. Even my aunt has said we need to stop and just concentrate on the real kids. So I agree and graciously tell them that I don't need any gifts but their answer:"Oh no we have to give you a gift."

I know what your saying, just take the gift and shut up. Maybe, but I adore my aunts and I can only see the hassle of having to figure out what to get me every year. They live in Florida so it's pretty much a guessing game. Then they have to mail and hope it gets to me in time. Meanwhile, I run around doing the same thing for them and the countless "must give gifts" on my list. And we are all running out of ideas.

So since we are all family, a phone call on Christmas day is more than enough. The kids are the real stars of the season, let's just give to them. Good luck with your holiday shopping! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Now I have to go and make sure my aunts received their Crate and Barrel Box.