Wrapping up another blessed Christmas

I love Christmas wrapping paper, but I think our oldest nephew, Gavin, is the king of the wrapping paper in our family.

He often stops at our house to visit and at Christmastime, he’s usually carrying a dozen or so rolls of wrapping paper.

He’s always looking for a good deal on wrapping paper and has an uncanny ability to sniff out a bargain or two.

We have wrapping paper in about every nook and cranny of our house.

If we ever move, I bet we will find a few rolls hidden in a basement closet or maybe the garage.

It’s really my fault. I’ve been buying Christmas wrapping paper for years. It’s so beautiful. I especially like the two-sided wrapping paper. It gives me a choice.

I guess I’ve passed along my love of wrapping paper to our nephew, and he put it into overdrive.

I think Hobby Lobby has the best wrapping paper. It’s nice and thick and easy to use.

Hallmark has nice wrapping paper too, but it can be quite pricey unless you can catch it on sale.

I like the big two-sided rolls sold at Sam’s Club.

Most of Walmart wrapping paper is cheap, but when on sale, it’s hard to beat on a budget. And they usually have some great character wrapping paper.

One of my favorites is Scooby Doo.

I like the wrapping paper that has the squares on back to make cutting easier. If there are no squares on the back, I will fold the paper and make a crease, then cut along the fold.

It can be a little messy or cut crooked, but it’s the thought that counts.

The irony of it all is neither Gavin nor I like to wrap. I’m usually up until midnight struggling through wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve. It takes me about twice as long as anyone else to wrap gifts.

Debbie is the wrapper in our family and is called on to wrap most of the presents.

She’s also quite a shopper and, like Gavin, has an uncanny ability to find great bargains. She’s always looking for free shipping deals and, when buying online, she knows how to check and see if a website is a fake or has a bad or no return policy. There are lot of folks and companies out there scamming people. My advice, be careful.

I tried to look up statistics on wrapping paper use in America, and most websites were centered around recycling, waste and using sustainable eco-friendly wrapping products such as recycled or upcycled materials.

In my opinion, giving someone a wrapped gift is never a waste.

I still remember those days of setting up the Christmas tree in my boyhood home. I was in charge of decorating and putting up the manger scene and even helping my dad decorate the house.

I still have the manger. My mom bought it and the figurines at TG & Y Five and Dime in Tulsa.

The manger is a little rough from age, but the figurines are like knew. I hope someday to have a new manger custom-built.

We had such blessed family Christmases. So many memories with family, good food and fun opening the presents.

And as I’ve mentioned before, the Jackson family Christmases on my mom’s side of the family were just the best. J.B. and Rosemary Jackson were the best hosts. No one went home hungry and everyone, even the adults, received a gift.

I can still see Aunt Rosemary sitting at the grand piano as we all sang Christmas carols like “Hark the Heard the Angles Sing,” “O Holy Night,” “Jingle Bells” and “Silent Night.”

I have some wonderful childhood Christmas memories from my dad’s side of the family as well.

My great grandma Minnie (my dad’s grandmother) made some of the best biscuits. I thought that was the case until I figured out they were store bought. They were still good!

Wrap those gifts and enjoy Christmas Day with your family and friends. And while you are at it, take time to be thankful for all life has to offer.

Have a great week, and always remember that “Good Things are Happening” every day.