The Family Heirloom 2014

Fifteen years ago My Mother received a dollar store Santa Clause figurine for Christmas from an acquaintance of hers.  The figurine was marked down to 50 cents as the bright orange price tag sticker was still on the piece.  My Mother gracefully accepted the gift with gratitude and thanked the woman, however her wheels started turning.

That week following Christmas we celebrated with the Virginia folks, my Mom’s Brother Paul, Aunt Maryann and the cousins Paul Andrew, Michael and Gregory.  Present time came and Aunt Maryann was last up to open and at the end, my Mother said “Oh Maryann I have one more for you, hold on.”

My Mother came back with a beautifully wrapped box and Aunt Maryann opened it with excitement.  As she unwrapped and opened the box she held in her hand the 50 cent Santa Clause figurine.  She was speechless and was not sure whether to say thank you or not, so my Mother broke the silence and told her the story and my Mother said “just a little gag gift for you, Merry Christmas.”

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The following year we gathered with the Virginia folks for our annual Christmas celebration.  My Mother sat and peeled through the bag of presents from Aunt Maryann and crew and at the very bottom, wrapped in tissue paper was the greatest gift of all; the 50 cent Santa Clause figurine, price tag sticker still attached and all.  And so the ‘Family Heirloom’ was born.

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For fifteen years, the family heirloom was passed back and forth and after Mom passed away I inherited the receiving on her behalf.  This year it was my turn to return the family heirloom to my Aunt!    I had to be clever and think about this one.  So I decided to get a miniature Christmas tree and stick the Santa a top as the tree topper. 

As a decoy, I found a nice picture of my Aunt and Mother.  It was rare that they had a picture taken together as one would always be taking the pictures, while the other one was in the photo.  The box with tree and heirloom was wrapped and the picture, framed was wrapped and placed on top. 

As my aunt opened the framed picture, everyone dwelled on that for a moment and passed around.  Then she started to open the big box.  I thought everyone was still focused on the picture and then My Uncle said “Danielle, I have to give you credit for your efforts in using all that paper to wrap an over sized box where she will find that ‘shitty’ Santa.”  As my Aunt opened the box, she replied “No Paul it’s actually not the Santa.”  Until she pulled out the tree and saw the heirloom a top the tree.  “Never mind,” she replied and we all laughed. 

The family heirloom has been passed back once again!