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Love Notes ~ I’m gettin’ nothin’ for Christmas
Posted on December 16, 2013 by Maple Creek I found the perfect gift for you this year: nothing. Don’t look at me that way. I’m not a horrible person. Because I’m not getting anything from you this year either. I insist.Think about it. Is there anything you absolutely need that you’re hoping someone will buy you for Christmas? No? Me neither. So why should we spend all that time, energy, stress and money on something that’s only going to collect dust if it doesn’t get re-gifted first? Some call it cheap or Grinch-like. I call it practical. Besides, it’s so much more fun to give loved ones something they’ll really appreciate, and if you know their particular “love language,” it makes it a lot easier. If you’re not familiar with the five love languages as explained in Dr. Gary Chapman’s book of the same name, allow me to explain. The general concept is that everyone has their own preferred method of expressing love and receiving it from others. The five love languages are comprised of giving and receiving gifts, words of affirmation, physical touch, quality time and acts of service. Now you’re equipped to please and impress anyone on your list this year in the way that’s most befitting to them. What you may not know though is that there’s actually a sixth love language. It’s often overlooked because there’s a select few who truly appreciate it: sarcasm. I know this because it’s the gift I love exchanging with loved ones. Some people will tell you sarcasm isn’t really one of the love languages. That’s a lie. It’s actually the most important one, because it’s the only one that can be used to bring a smile to someone’s face and also as a weapon for self defense. Sometimes a cleverly-crafted sarcastic comment can help to brighten a friend’s day and make them feel loved. Coincidentally, you can also tell when someone is genuinely annoyed through their use of sarcastic statements. The trick is knowing someone well enough to determine if they enjoy this alternate method of showing love or if they’ll simply think you’re just being a jerk. So please, if you feel that you absolutely have to get me something this year, remember my love language and how much I appreciate a well-placed, playfully ironic comment. (Just don’t be overly cruel… I am still a fragile character who has the uncanny ability to bottle up my feelings and cry into my pillow about it later). And don’t be surprised if I return the favour with a friendly jab at you. But now for serious. Whether you’re out shopping for that perfect present for your sibling, listening to one of your grandmother’s stories, shoveling your neighbour’s driveway as a favour, calling up your best friend to tell them how awesome they are or cuddling up on the couch with your significant other, have an amazing Christmas. As cheesy as all those Christmas specials on TV are, they carry an important message. It’s not all about the presents, because if you really care about someone, it can be shown in even the simplest of ways. And don’t forget to offer a helping hand to those who could use a little Christmas cheer both at home and around the world. In the words of Tiny Tim, God bless us, every one.
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