Bright Ideas

When I was a very young child I remember my mom wrapping dozens of packages at Christmas. A big box filled with them went to Kansas where sisters and parents lived. Her brothers moved around with their families before settling in Texas. The presents were never large; men would often get socks, and women received gloves. But everyone received a gift, especially children.

One year my mother worked part time at a five and ten cent store, wrapping packages. Those were the years before packaged bows. She learned to make beautiful bows and used that knowledge at home, and then with a Girl Scout troop she led.

I was in that troop and continued bow making after I was married. My mother-in-law would collect the bows after packages were opened and use them another year. She also saved large sheets of gift wrap.

When we were in Billings. I would go shopping the day after Christmas at places that sold the best gift wrap, and buy color coordinated papers for the next year. They were cheaper and beautiful. I guess I am a little manic.

Those days were long ago, but I have found a source of partially made bows. For the finished bow, you just have to pull a couple of strings, and there it is — a bow just like I used to make, maybe even better.

I haven’t been able to wrap presents or make bows for decades, and while my husband is probably better at figuring out the most economical use of the gift wrap, he doesn’t particularly enjoy the process.

This season is filled with wonderful colors, from outdoor Christmas lights to gift wrap. I hope you are able to delight in the flavors and colors of the season. Merry Christmas; I’ll be back in time for New Year’s celebrations.