128. Christmas (4) Presents

'Everyone, get your list ready! We need to ask Santa for presents! It's Christmas!' 

Miss Organiser is shouting across the house, apparently to everyone, but I know it is directed at me as a huge hint that I seem to have forgotten what Christmas is about.

'Do we really need to do presents? I mean you've got everything. And you all care so much about the planet ... you know, it starts with less consumerism.'

'Well. Yes. But it's Christmas, mum!'

'Yeah, mum! Where's your Christmas spirit?' For once the siblings are in complete agreement.

Last year already I wanted to 'cancel' Christmas but I gave in very quickly. Anyway, had I ever been even half-serious about it? My husband seemed to think I was he fished out an article from somewhere about parents who really had cancelled Christmas. They had no choice as they were in a very difficult situation. In the article the daughter admitted it was the best thing that ever happened to them. 

They all shrug their shoulders, raise their eyes to the ceiling and wave their hands. They obviously do not care much about my tale.

'All right.' I give in. 'Just one present and books. And a piece of fruit ... exotic fruit. After all it is 2020.'

Eyes raised to the ceiling again. Can't they express themselves any other way?

'The Military LandRover Defender XD Wolf Work Manual ...'

We all turn to my husband who looks pleased with himself.

'That's my book. And instead of fruit, can I have beer?'

'Deal.'

Now that is great. It saves me from racking my brains about shirts and ties and socks ... This is also sending a clear message about the TGA.  

'Friends: the Official Cookbook!' 

Miss Organiser does not want to be left out.

'And before anyone complains that it is not a book ... it is a book, it even says so in the title: Friends' Cookbook.' 

She shouts out the word book, making me flinch.

'OK. Fair enough. That's two books from Santa. Anyone else?'

'I am not finished!' She adds. 'Maybe also Hunger Games 4 and let us hope that my little sister won't hide in the shower to read it this time. Maybe she is mature enough to be allowed to read it. Mum?'

The little sister in question is about to protest loudly but ...

'And also I would very much like my own copy of Pride and Prejudice, or even, the whole Jane Austen collection.' 

My husband looks at me, I look at him, then I look at my daughter to see if she is pulling my leg. But she is just standing proudly, looking at us as if we all are miserable souls lacking in culture.

'Erm ...' I clear my throat. 'Erm ... All right. Good choice. But let's not go over the top. One volume to start with ... '

The room is silent for a short while, leaving Miss O. pleased as Punch, with a big grin on her face.

'What about the others? They want books too.'

'Actually mum, I'm ok, really, let the girls have the books.' My son is finally speaking.

'No way. You need books too. We'll find something for you.'

'I don't need a book. There's a huge pile on my bedside table, I'm good for at least 10 years.'

'I don't have time to read.' Maths-Head tells us.

'How about Driving for Dummies? or New Driver's Guide To Things NOT To Crash Into?' Miss O. is starting to get on people's nerves. I give her the mummy-is-not-happy look. 

'Actually, I would like some poetry.' Maths-Head is voicing her choice while giving her sister a similar look. You choose for me, please, mum.'

I am so pleased at my two eldest daughter's choices that I forget about about the no-books choice of my son and about the babyish choice of Miss Chatterbox who definitely needs to keep the nickname of Baby for a while longer.

Christmas 2020 is definitely going smoothly. Isn't that a bit weird? I guess time will tell.