It's 9AM

Does it Give All year Long?

Chris Lowry

Jan 04, 2024

Normally, I get leftovers.

My Christmas gifts for the past eight years have been regifts.

It’s not that I’m hard to buy for.

I’m not.

In the past, some of my favorite presents were different types and flavors of coffees.

And thick wool socks by People’s Socks.

One tastes great and the other lasts forever.

And it’s not like I keep my preferences for simple items secret.

No, I’m easy as a gift getter because I like simple items.

And not many of them.

But…

For eight years, I get re-gifted items given by Secret Santa at work.

Her work.

I’ve been given a box of fancy tea, and a bottle of Fireball Whiskey.

This year it was a tiny mason jar with cocoa mix in it.

The kinds of gifts that people who work in close proximity to each other decide would make a good present.

And I’m given them for two reasons.

One is the lack of thought.

A gift should have a little meaning, I think, or at least some semblance of a reason.

It might not be so bad except when I pull the gift from the bag, I’m told she got it at work and didn’t want it.

Not, “I know you like tea when it’s cold outside, sometimes.”

“I thought you and 10 could drink hot cocoa together when it rains.”

That would make me think it was a gift for me.

As opposed to a gift no one wanted.

The other is experience.

I don’t want more stuff in the house.

I’m trying to sell and get rid of all the stuff that is here now.

Gifts of food and drink are fine because they can be used and done and gone.

The tiny decorative solo teacup that comes with a fancy tea set?

It will sit in the cabinet for a year or until I can eBay it because who needs one MORE teacup?

It’s a reminder of the gift.

Except…

Most of the time, I’m just glad to be included and considered.

I don’t like getting gifts.

Someone suggested once it had to do with my past and some stuff I haven’t worked through yet.

Which may or may not be true.

Or it could be that I don’t drink cinnamon whiskey anymore because of a few wild nights at my house in Florida that involved a pool and single life and a willing blond that reminds me my life today is different.

What a difference 3900 days makes.

I like thick socks because my feet get cold and sometimes ache because of how many miles I’ve put on them, and how many pounds I’ve carried with them.

And I love coffee because it is magic dirt water that weaves a spell of magic over each day.

And I love each gift I get, even if I hate getting the gift.

What did you get this year?

Did you see the free AUDIOBOOKS I’ve give you this year?

Or fill up on some new authors here:

New Year Sci-Fi/Fantasy Freebies

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The Shadowboxer Files - Non-stop Action thrill ride