Christmas Pay It Forward

You, Lipripper660 , are an Author. Beautiful beautiful story, and very well written.

Yes, Lipripper660 wrote a wonderful post. And it has been sitting in my thoughts for a few days now. 

In the spirit that his Dad displayed, I am going to change things up.  I am going to let the "winners" pick from a lot of my gear, as I have plenty that I can be very happy with. And the lesson his Dad showed, letting another chose even if it meant "losing" his perfect tree, is one that has been on my mind, as I said. 

So, I reserve the right to keep brushes and razors that are special to me (my Steampunk Slim, Fluffy Industries handle, and a few others) but I would like to say if there is a brush or razor that I posted a picture of and you liked it (as ewk posted regarding Cities from Space) I will let you have it, in the spirit of giving that Mr Lipripper Sr showed.

And for Christmas memory that I have, it is the smell of the tree, the beauty of it as Mom took time to put tinsel just so on it, and lying under the tree as a youngster, looking up the trunk and seeing the lights and decorations in a magical way (one which our cats do every year that we have a tree!). And decorating cookies as a family. We loved dark gingerbread cookies. Mom would bake dozens. Several weeks before Christmas, us three kids would sit around the table and decorate the dozens of cookies she baked. We could do special ones, based on current interests (Star Wars themed cookies!), but most were traditional with sprinkles, raisins, cinnamon dots, etc added for flair! The stars were always the cookies themselves and Mom's frosting (buttercream, most likely).

Eric, I am reading this as the American Boys Choir is singing us carols and hymns through the stereo, competing with the sound of the mixer that has been running nearly continuously for the last two days. I did not come from a Christmas Cookie family, but my blessed wife did. From our first Christmas together to today the cookies have been an integral part of the season. All four children learned how to bake, decorate, and share the cookies with friends, neighbors, and family. Current situation in our kitchen and dining room:

Great PIF MaineYooper! And the stories are a good read, bringing back memories. Respectfully not in.

Eric, I am reading this as the American Boys Choir is singing us carols and hymns through the stereo, competing with the sound of the mixer that has been running nearly continuously for the last two days. I did not come from a Christmas Cookie family, but my blessed wife did. From our first Christmas together to today the cookies have been an integral part of the season. All four children learned how to bake, decorate, and share the cookies with friends, neighbors, and family. Current situation in our kitchen and dining room:

Those photos are bringing back fond memories! The home is different, but that is exactly what we did. Bing Crosby's Merry Christmas album was Mom's favorite, and I forget how many copies she went through, 3 for sure before CD and digital became a thing. Thanks for posting these, wonderful memories being made today!

Yes, the house is different for us too. The picture shows most of our living space. We had to downsize and relocate, but the important thing is to keep the important things important (paraphrasing some quote from an influential sports coach I read somewhere)

Weekend bump! The more, the merrier, and there could be many "winners!"

Hey Eric. I’ll add a Christmas story to this wonderful and fun thread!

When I was a young lad of 8 years old, I began to do what came naturally and question the magical realism of Santa along with the logistics of his international operation.

I remember asking my Parents what the real deal was and how he traveled the world delivering gifts to all the good children. Of course my parents responded with “Christmas Magic”.

I couldn’t let my thoughts go. I decided to take matters into my own hands and confront Santa when he knocked on the door and easily escaped into the night, as he did each year. On Christmas Eve (when the gifts always arrived), I stood ready with my sneakers laced tight and a flashlight in hand. I hung close to the front door so as soon as there was a knock I could pounce on Santa and question the heck outta him (respectfully of course).

Well, the time came and there was a bold knock on the front door around 7 pm. It was immediately followed with a series of ho ho ho’s and boisterous laughter. This was my queue! I sprang out the door as quickly as I could…. Both my parents yelling at me in the background not to go after old Father Christmas!

It was dark and snowy, so it was hard to see, even with my cheap, plastic kid flashlight. But I could make out a figure running down the driveway. This is it! I’m totally gonna get him, I told myself as I sprinted down the driveway and narrowed the gap.

At the far end of the driveway “Santa” hopped into a beat-up blue mini van. What the heck, I thought!? No sled and Reindeer? The minivan peeled out trying to escape my clutches. He clearly was trying to hide his true identity and avoid my investigation.

Well, long story short, he did get away! However I did get a great description of the getaway vehicle and tire tread pattern on the fresh snow. The next day I continued my Santa investigation and was able to conclude with reasonable certainty who delivered the gifts and ran away from me.

I brought this detailed information to my Parents and told them thanks for all the fun Santa years. Oh, and “Uncle Rex” can run a lot faster than I thought he could.

Today's mail delivery brought joy from Maine. Thank you very much Eric for this most generous gift. When I showed the brush to my wife she said, "Do you really need another brush?" As I gave it to her to examine, her opinion changed and she agrees that it is a very beautiful handle. I told her about it being hand turned in Washington, and the great stories shared. She asked which story I told, and she nodded in agreement, saying she still has the image of that little guy's excitement at the top of the stairs.

Thank you again, and thank you all for sharing your treasured memories.

Another wonderful story, and I am not referring to my part! I am very pleased that the handle brought up happy memories and that your wife liked the handle as well!