I Wonder if Reindeer Would Be Cheaper

Just sent off all the Ohio presents a few minutes ago and most of my holiday stress with them. It's funny how presents for family are so much harder than ones for friends. Adding to that, both Tony and I are transplants. We moved out here together which means there are two+ families waiting back home for us. Impatiently waiting, no doubt, because this is the second Christmas in a row we've skipped. Wait, I think it's the third. I should have known that, the last Christmas I spent in Ohio was when mom was dying. I sat with her Christmas Eve while she drifted in and out and called me by her sister's name, and then Christmas I spent in the air so I could see my husband. Really, I guess it's not so surprising I'm not particularly interested in making seasonal appearances back there anymore. But even if we can't go home again, our presents can. And they do, 'round about the tenth of December every year when I get everything wrapped, boxed and off to the post office or wherever. That gives me a few days to sulk about shipping costs before I get back into the Christmas spirit. (This year's tally was $111 to get those packages on their merry way. I really wish I was joking.) But it's done, and now I'm relaxing in a Starbuck's knowing that in a week or so everyone else will hit the last minute frenzy I just finished while I'm poking around making presents for my friends. There are some advantages to the two stage Christmas process. I can enjoy the moment while the delivery services take care of all the fuss from here on out. But even so, I think next year I'm going to try some magic corn on the deer across the street.