Holidays: Christmas Eve, 2020

Self-tutoring about Christmas traditions: the tutor mentions how he kept one this year.

I mention in my Christmas post from 2019 a tradition of last minute shopping at the drugstore. I continued the tradition yesterday evening.

There were a few differences this year vs last. For instance, I believe the drug store was open until 9pm last year, or maybe even 10pm. This year, it was only open until 6pm. Moreover, with COVID, my wife and sons were all home when I left, so they knew where I was going; last year they were out visiting so didn’t know I went to shop for them. Moreover, I forgot my mask, which of course wasn’t even relevant last year; yet, this year, I had to backtrack home to pick it up.

I left in the light, on foot as always. It took around half an hour to get there; I arrived in twilight. Mask on, I entered the store to a very warm welcome.

I was a little worried about finding gifts for my two sons and wife, but shouldn’t have been: within ten minutes I’d found numerous possible gifts for each of them. Yet, I remained, strolling the aisles for something better, which I found in one or two cases.

It was a great atmosphere in the store – not too crowded, with most people rushing in to get one or two things, then rushing out. However, a few people were in my same boat, though not so experienced at it: I saw one shopper who was trying to find gifts but didn’t know where to start.

I left at around 5:15pm, a little melancholy to be leaving the warm, well-lit store with its holiday cheer. Yet I was happy with the gifts I’d found – two or three for everyone.

Walking home, in the dark, I was surprised how mild the temperature was. Call me crazy, but I’m sure I felt a flying insect hit my face. Moreover, I smelled perfume from a fresh bloom at one point. (I moved to the west coast 34 years ago, but still can’t believe the climate here.)

I walked in on my wife wrapping presents, so I started alongside her. When she went upstairs to check something, I quickly wrapped hers.

Another Christmas Eve, another successful last-minute shop at the drugstore. Happy holidays 2020, everyone:)