"The Wrongs and Rights of Secret Santa"

That time of the year has arrived. People are out making plans for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and many other holidays, taking the time to spend with friends and family to eat and celebrate. 

In this very special month to finish off the year, there are so many traditions and fun ways to get people together, to take the load off before the incoming new year.

Some celebrate by cooking and having a big meal together, all as one family. And like many of you, my family gathers together after eating, and sits down to take part in a tradition that our family has taken part in the past few years. Secret Santa.

Personally, I absolutely love giving gifts to people, no matter if it's friends or family. So when it comes to Secret Santa, I especially get excited around the time our picks for secret Santa come around every year. 

That being said… There are a few things that do somewhat irk me, when it comes to secret santa…

The Secret is Out

When it comes to our family, the Watsons are known to be… how can I say this lightly?... Ornery.

We all have fun, but there are many difficulties when just picking out a gift for a secret Santa. It should sound simple enough, but far from it.

Everybody's got to say something, especially the ones who are strict about keeping things “a secret”. Even when you're trying to get help from another family member.

To Dana Point and Back

Here's another irksome issue that comes about. Getting a Secret Santa for someone all the way across the country.

That's the issue you'll have with some of your family living all the way out in California. You've got to make sure to get the gift, package, and ship it out on time just to make sure they'll have the gift either before or right on Christmas Eve.

My Aunt is out and about here in Jersey for the month, and flies back before Christmas. Which makes things a little easier for getting the gift to California.

The only problem is, she likes to get in that ornery way, saying, “she's gonna have to charge us for taking it out with her.”

Better Check That List… Twice…

We like to utilize Elfster for secret Santa, it's a website that helps make the draw easier and more random amongst family members. It also allows you to create a wishlist, so that you can put down things you would like or need, and the person who has you has an easier idea of what to get you.

Only issue, it seems like some people don't read it.

I know that sounds like I am being picky, wanting my cake and eating it too. But this is something that seems to be easier to myself and more of my younger family members than the older ones.

I like to make sure my list has a variety, so that when I open up my present, I'll still have the enjoyment of being surprised. But when a family member just makes a guess without looking, the surprise is just a bit more awkward.

Not to mention, the family members who just leave their wishlist completely empty. That makes finding something that they will enjoy so much easier.

It's All About Family 

Despite my gripes with Secret Santa, I still love the holiday tradition. No matter what comes with it, all that matters is that we have a secret Santa, and a family to do it with. 

So, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and have a Happy New Year!