It’s great to be a child at Christmas,
all the presents, toys, and fuss.
The anticipation of the morning to come;
The great fun when the unwrapping is done.

For a parent, the joy is mixed.
The non-working bulbs that have to be fixed,
food to be prepared for those social events,
the best presentation of cookies and mints.

Looking for that much desired gift;
Finding the perfect present gives the spirit a lift.
The anxiety when that perfect present isn’t found;
Fearing the groans of disappointment will sound.

The joy that comes when family and friends meet;
Memories shared by the fire’s heat.
Now the dishes are done and everyone’s fed,
it’s time to put the little ones to bed.

There are bicycles and Barbie houses to build,
last minute wrapping, and stockings to be filled.
The parents anticipate the smile upon their face
as the children see the gifts all over the place.

Meanwhile, the kids are pretending to sleep;
finally worn out, their slumber is deep.
One child swears she heard Santa’s sleigh;
They all jump up, its Christmas Day!