Christmas party grows in importance

As the children have grown up and established their own homes with their own families, Christmas morning has taken a less dominant role in our Christmas traditions. The annual Christmas drop-in we held last night was, in many ways, the highlight of the Christmas season. Though it can never replace or surpass the joys of sharing Christmas day (or some nearby date) with family, our little drop-in has expanded in importance over the years.

Christmas gift-giving and -receiving has diminished as we've grown older. We're at the age when there are few things that we need and few toys that we want. Our grandchildren have no reason to be in want; they will be amply supplied with the toys and garnishments of the season.

A Christmas party is the big gift my wife and I give each other — and a few dozen friends and neighbors. The house overflowing with perhaps 60 or 70 people (we haven't taken a count) last night, I commented that I love to see the house filled with people. Why do all that decorating if you're not going to share it? The house was filled sufficiently to keep us running, greeting newcomers and seeing to the food and drinks. Our regret each year is that we have so little opportunity to visit with guests. Greeting friends, refilling drinks and food trays and introducing guests severely limit our ability to carry on a conversation. This annual party adds a festive interlude to the bleakness of long winter nights and cold, shivering days.

Our first Christmas party was around 35 years ago in a tiny apartment garnished with an artificial tree, a few homemade decorations and the simplest of food; our guest list could be numbered on two hands. This year's party is bigger, the decorations more elaborate and the preparation far more time-consuming, but it is driven by the same simple desire to share Christmas joy.