When our children were college-age, I started a new tradition. I bought white paper lunch sacks – one for each day in December. Then I dropped a surprise into each bag and tied them shut with red ribbons. The gift might be a piece of fine chocolate or a package of specialty cocoa or a Christmas trinket.
The game started with five children, but they have multiplied. This year it included thirty-nine people. (and certain co-workers are still lobbying to get in on the fun.) Over the years, I’ve tried to come up with new ideas every year, but some things are standard. Like chocolate. There must be chocolate.
Last year, one of the recipients ( a mother of four little girls) was caught squeezing the bags. When the girls asked what she was doing, she ‘fessed up. “I’m trying to figure out which day is orange slices.”
When she admitted this later, one of the siblings said, “Christie, you do know you are a grown-up, right? You can buy orange slices at the store.”
This will become a standard family joke. But it also illustrates an interesting truth about our family. The last couple of years, we have marched out and bought ourselves some orange slices instead of waiting for someone to hand them to us.
We have published a book, produced an EP, gone back to school, made short films, moved to new cities, launched new careers, and taken some big risks for our futures.
I still love the thrill of a secret tucked inside a white bag. But I’m intrigued by the possibilities of orange slices in the New Year. I think I’ll go out and get some.
How about you?
I love this! I love everything about it. The orange slices analogy is brilliant, but I also like the fact that Christie didn’t think of going out and getting them herself. Learning how to pursue possibilities is invaluable but so is having people who care. The gift may be an orange slice or $20, but knowing someone took time to think of you and demonstrate sacrificial love for you (my treats for others would never had made them in the bag) is just as rewarding as taking the daunting step to accomplish a new goal. Your family traditions encourage me and make me all the more ready to meet my little girl. 🙂
You are going to be such a great mother, Anna. She is going to be a blessed little lady surrounded by all that extended-family love.
This makes “chocolate covered orange slices” have much more meaning!! I think the super special things in life are definitely chocolate covered ones 😉
Definitely! Covered-in-chocolate moments are the best.
I love your idea of the white paper sacks. So simple yet so special!!! Just like the giver! You are such a special sister-in-law!
Thanks, Ejie.
I’m not into orange slices, but dark chocolate almond clusters really float my boat!
Ummm. Dark chocolate anything!
Great….now I am craving orange slices and chocolate! Sweet post.
I wish I had some to send you!