In years past, I’ve held solitary gift wrapping marathons on Christmas Eve night when everyone else is asleep. Surrounded by wrapping paper, cats, a dog, and drinking copious amounts of hot chocolate, coffee, or Baileys (depending on my mood), while quietly listening to Christmas tunes, I would wrap and wrap and wrap like I was a demented cute little elf applying for the Head Elf job at Santa’s North Pole.
Well this year, since the kids are older and sneaking peeks into presents is no longer an issue (I think…), and the whole “Santa secret” has long been out of the bag, and more importantly, I suddenly found myself with some spare time…a unique dilemma I don’t often face, I decided to wrap presents a little early. It goes without saying that it was still somewhat of a chaotic undertaking.
My 23-year old son joined me for this manic tradition. Jake was impressed with my mad gift wrapping skills….I mean, my corners on those presents are tight!
Thinking I was clever, I mentioned his age and then bragged to him that of course I’m good at it because I’ve been enjoying this Christmas custom for at least 23 years. It took about 10 seconds for those words to leave my mouth before it hit me. I’ve been doing this for 23 years. And just like that…. I’m old. Damn.
Musings from a Tangled Mind 
I don’t so much wrap presents as just make sure they are covered in wrapping paper. Messy!
At least they’re hidden from view! And tearing off the paper is most of the fun anyway. I’m not sure why I bother trying to do a good job when it just ends up in a pile on the floor in about two seconds. 😀
I’ll nominate you for Head Elf. hot choco? add schnapps. 😉
Oh, most definitely schnapps! Man after my own heart! 😀 Although, if you mix dark chocolate (hot chocolate) and white chocolate (hot chocolate) and bailey’s, it’s pretty darn good!
Love this…moving the cat…sooooo true and adorable.
It is! They constantly lay on the paper, play with ribbons…they ignore me all day long, 24/7…until the wrapping paper comes out. LOL
You must be at least 20 years younger than me. Everybody is as old as they feel in their heart. I personally don’t feel old at all. Not all pictures come out nice, but that’s just how it is. Love gift wrapping, but only in moderation, I wouldn’t last for a marathon. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you as well! My marathons are much smaller now that the kids are older. Not so many presents to wrap. And luckily I don’t feel nearly as old as I should. Don’t act it either. LOL
pass the Bailey’s — I’m much older. 😀 LOL
Gladly! Always happy to have your company! 😀
Yay!!!! We’re gonna need a bigger bottle !!!!!!!! 😀
Maybe more than one! 😀
I’ll bring some Brennans for a little variety. 😀
I tried a brand called Brady’s recently and it was pretty good. If you haven’t tried that one yet, I recommend it.
I will !!! There was a terrific product called Sheridans available in Dublin, that was extremely yummy – but I don’t know if it can be had here. 🙂
Lol, gave me a giggle, now I don’t have kids… but I’m definitely old enough I could have had a 23 year old if I had tried 😉 guess that means I’m old as well…??? Nahhhh 😉
I’ve been told recently you’re only as old as you act…in which case, I’m about 5 (according to popular opinion) on most days. 😀
You’re my kinda girl 😉
“Old” is such a relative and judgmental term – I prefer “experienced,” “seasoned” (as in “it’s my 23rd Christmas season!”), or “veteran.”
I spent decades being up until about 3AM wrapping presents every single year – actually got them done on Christmas Eve morning this year. There may be hope for me yet.
That’s me too! Christmas Eve night was always spent in a mad rush to get them done before Christmas morning rolled around. This year, I was a day early, first time in forever. Who knows, maybe next year I’ll do even better. 😀
This is exactly how my wrapping session went, along with looking for that last present I had hidden somewhere in the house
Ha! I do that too! I’m glad it’s not just me. I hide things in such great places that I forget where I hid them! 😀