"The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi."
O.Henry
I bought my dear Melissa a vacuum cleaner. Not exactly the most romantic or heartwarming of presents, but she said we needed one, back in October, and that she'd be happy with one. So I went out and - not knowing the first thing about home appliances- bought the most expensive bagless three part suckmachine I could find at Sears.
I thought I was being very clever. I kept it in my office at work lo these last three weeks, and on Friday I packed it into the back of my Mississauga Limousine (Dodge Caravan) with some other presents. I really worked hard at keeping it a surprise.
We got home and my wife informed me that we had to go shopping for some last minute items, so we packed the whole household (these days three adults, four kids) into the van and took off for the nearest Korean food mart. I really wasn't thinking.
The food order was really large and part of it was a box of delicious asian pears and a huge bag of rice. Melissa asked me to pay for everything as she herded the kids out and escorted the grocery worker who was lugging the bag of rice and box of pears. It was only after she was out the door that I realized that she would see the &%$#@ presents I had left in the back.
I tried to get the cashier to hurry so that I might catch up to the family in the parking lot, but she was having none of it. Price check, ribbon change, long wait for a connect on the interac, followed by a "Have a great Christmas" to which I replied with an unseasonal snarl.
They were all in the van when I got there. The box of pears and bag of rice were perched on the huge vacuum cleaner box.
Melissa was quiet all the way home. AS we got out she turned to me and said "You know, it's too large, we'll never be able to use it on our stairs."
It was only fair - I already knew what she was getting me. Earlier I had found her in an aisle of teh department store, agonizing over which electric shaver to buy.
Yesterday, after we opened all the presents, and we both feigned surprise and delight for the kids' sake, I went off to try the razor. Melissa came and stood in the door and watched me, then gently took the buzzing razor out of my hand and turned my face so she could trim my moustache.
There is such a stillness and intimacy when staring into the eyes of someone so intent on grooming you. She was so intense at getting my ratty looking moustache to look presentable that she looked hypnotised. I met her eyes and she smiled, and we shared one of those extra sensory understandings that make having a soulmate so tremendous. We both laughed.
"I hope you saved the receipt."
We're going off this week to exchange for a vacuum cleaner of smaller size and lighter weight and lower price. I will then get to try it out first while she watches. We will then take the money we save and go out to dinner.
How's your Christmas been? Did you give better than receive?