Surviving Christmas
…Well, by the time you read this, Thanksgiving will have officially passed, and we hope everyone had a happy and safe Turkey Day. But now comes some bad news: Christmas is less than a month away! (Go ahead and let the panic set in for a few minutes. I’ll wait.)
Okay, now that we’ve all caught our collective breaths, we can think about just exactly what that means to each one of us, and how hectic the next month is going to be. And trust me, there will be no shortage of things to get stressed about.
For me, nothing is more stressful than Christmas shopping. Here’s what I have to look forward to: Standing in long lines at multiple stores, watching your checking account disappear, dealing with unruly shoppers who are ready to run you down with their carts, and frantically racing around malls and stores at the last minute because you forgot someone on your list, only to find that the item you need has just sold out. Ugh.
But nothing is more stressful than having to buy gifts for the spouse. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying I don’t enjoy shopping for my better half, and I’m certainly not implying that she is a materialistic person who has to have everything. In fact, it’s just the opposite: She is so focused on making sure that everyone else has a nice Christmas that she never really wants anything for herself. However, her selflessness does have a downside; you see, it’s so hard to shop for someone who, when asked what she wants for Christmas, simply smiles and says, “You don’t have to get me any gifts. I don’t need anything.”
Men, take note: Whenever you hear the woman of your life respond with that answer, it should send a chill up your spine. Because it means you have your work cut out for you and you have to get creative. Because there is no way in the world you’re going to wake up Christmas morning and not have something nice for your woman under the tree. Even if she doesn’t “need anything.”
So, after nearly a quarter of a century together, I’m going to have to figure out what to get her, a special gift that she truly deserves for putting up with me all these years. Something that should almost make up for all the headaches I’ve caused her.
Boy, do I have my work cut out for me.
(And don’t even get me started on how I feel about having to find some cool toys for our three-year-old son Bryson for Christmas. Not only are today’s gadgets for kids expensive, but I am dreading having to deal with combing the area for the best deals and then trying desperately not to have a mental breakdown when I get home with items that need “some assembly required.”)
So, these are a few of my not-so-favorite things about the upcoming Christmas season that I am dreading. But with any luck, I will become less and less of a Scrooge as we get closer to December 25, and maybe my holiday won’t be so darned ho-ho-hopeless…
…Speaking of the holidays, I wanted to share with our readers some info about some of the holiday events that are going to be happening in Greene.
The Tri-County Leathernecks Association in Greene County is holding its annual Christmas toy drive, in which they collect and distribute toys for area children. This year, the Leathernecks will distribute toys on Dec. 18 at the following four locations from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: The Greene County Fairgrounds, Carmichaels American Legion, St. Thomas Church in Clarksville and Shannopin Civic Club in Bobtown. Call Buzz Walters at 499-5348 for more information.
I also wanted to mention a special holiday service that will be held on Monday, Dec. 14. The 10th annual “Empty Chair at Christmas” Service will be held at 7 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Waynesburg. The service will be led by Rev. Dr. Donald Wilson. Following the service, everyone is invited for refreshments and fellowship. The annual event is sponsored by GriefSHARE, a support group for those touched by the loss of a loved one.
I have attended every service, and every year I go into the service as a “news reporter” covering a story… but I become so moved by the event that I put my pen and paper down and just watch the room full of loved ones pay their respects to those they have lost. It truly is a special, warm and uplifting program intended to offer comfort and a sense of belonging for anyone missing a loved one.
For more information about this emotional service, contact Cherie Rumskey at the Victim/Witness Assistance Program at 724-852-5229.
Don’t forget that the annual Holiday Open House will be held in downtown Waynesburg on Dec. 4. Come to downtown Waynesburg from 5 to 8:30 p.m. and visit all of the shops, which will be extending their hours for this special event. For more info, call Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful at 724-627-8119, or visit www.waynesburgpa.org.
Also, don’t forget that the Waynesburg Christmas Parade will be held on Dec. 5 beginning at 2 p.m. in downtown Waynesburg; the Carmichaels Christmas parade and Light-Up Night will be held on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m., at the circle in Carmichaels; and “Breakfast with Santa” will be held at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Waynesburg on Dec. 5, beginning at 9 a.m.
Finally, I was told that the annual Holiday Craft Blast will be held on Sunday, Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Greene County Fairgrounds. Over 55 vendors from West Virginia, Maryland and Pa. will be displaying three rooms of a variety of handmade and manufactured items for last-minute shoppers. This event is sponsored by the Nathanael Greene CDC and members will be selling a variety of homemade soups and sandwiches in the lower level of the 4H Building. Raffle baskets will be available with a selection of items. One basket will have two tickets to a Pirate game next year.
We sincerely thank all of you who mailed, faxed, emailed, or phoned us about the many special activities that are going on in your churches, organizations and neighborhoods this holiday season, and we hope you keep sending in your holiday info. And speaking of holiday events, be sure to check out the “County Calendar” each week for even more info about upcoming happenings in your community…