I used to love Christmas, but since my parents died, I haven't really done much. I used to have most of my Christmas shopping done by July. When my parents got to the, "We don't really need/want anything" stage, I started putting together Blizzard Boxes for them for Christmas. The box would have special treats that they usually didn't buy because of the price, as well as ordinary things, like crackers, powdered milk, fire starter for the woodstove, a new deck of Skip-Bo cards. Also put things like beer, bourbon and cigarettes. This was after we were snowed in for 8 days. Three adults and two dogs stuck in a house for 8 days is bad enough, but running out of the alcohol and cigarettes could've lead to murder. I wrapped everything individually. It was a good thing to have on hand, and provided a mini celebration at the end of winter, if we didn't get snowbound that year.

I really miss Christmas. With my parents gone, I no longer have financial security, or I'd do one of those things where you buy gifts for a child in need.