I’m what you might call the last-minute man. This year more than ever due to being under the weather most of the month. But the shopping was completed yesterday, the little I do, and that brings me to the tradition of wrapping gifts on Xmas eve.

From years of fretting if I got the right gift for my better half, to putting together the many toys and bikes for our children.

These days it’s much simpler. Mainly due to my better half being such a good shopper for our children and grandchildren. And we don’t exchange big gifts between ourselves anymore. We like to go someplace or an event instead. We still do a lot of stocking stuffers, but that is it.

Now the kids and grandkids we splurge on, and I love that I’m able to do that. Those decades of hard work and fun along the way were also part of busting my ass, putting up with some bad people from time to time, poor pay, long commutes and lack of appreciation. Those days are behind me now and I’m in charge and trying to enjoy my remaining time.

Christmas Eve has always been a significant night each year. Filled with great emotion and a mix of joy and fun. And always a lot of wrapping. There are so many memories of these nights.

I worked a lot on Christmas Eve’s and Christmas mornings. Our business was daily, every day. The years I worked night shift, getting off between 3am and 7am depending on the year and position was the worst. I was so tired on Xmas day it was hard to power though some years. A lot of them I’d be working Xmas night also.

But there were years I did have Christmas Eve evening off, and I’d still be up wrapping gifts at 3 or 4am before grabbing a few hours sleep. The same will be true tonight. I have a few notes to drop people, I’m storing away the many boxes of decorations, maybe putting up another string of lights because the kids enjoy them.

I’ll also spend some time in thought and hopefully smile at some pictures that will stir some great memories.