Fielder's Choice

We broke a few Christmas traditions this year and kept some, too.

We didn’t open at least one gift on Christmas Eve.

We didn’t even open any gifts on Christmas morning.

We didn’t even go through our stockings on Christmas morning.

But we did still leave some cookies and milk for Santa.

This year we put off our immediate family Christmas celebration until the day after, Sunday. That’s when we could all be together in one place, our house.

I sure am glad one of my favorite sports teams, the Atlanta Braves, won the World Series this year. That led to a lot of great gifts ­ like a championship drinking glass, a T-shirt, a cap and a polo shirt.

There were a few surprises along the way. But for the most part, as we get to be grown children or adults, we pretty much know what’s coming.

For instance, my old cell phone was the oldest in the family. I had been having some issues with it, plus as a newspaper guy, I needed a better camera. I take a lot of the basic type photos with my cell phone these days and then just send them to my e-mail for reproduction in the paper.

Pam had talked to me a few weeks ahead of time about, “What type phone do you want?” I don’t ever really think I answered the question, except to say, “One small enough to fit in the pocket of my pants.” I unwrapped a new phone on December 26. It’s navy blue. It’s nice, but I’m not big on change when it comes to technology. I’m still learning a few of the features on this one.

As a family unit, we unwrapped a lot of things ­ like a motion sensor trash can, a television, jewelry, clothes, kitchen essentials, games, and so on and so forth.

It seems we always spend too much money at Christmastime. But it’s worth it to see the happiness and experience the smiles and laughter. There’s nothing like quality family time around the Christmas tree.

And, of course, we ate a lot, too, during the weekend, including some traditions like sausage balls, turkey and dressing, chocolate-covered cherries, and that list goes on and on and on.

On Christmas Day we worked in a road trip to Alabama for the annual get-together with the extended family of Burlesons.

I woke up that morning, looked at the forecast, and put on shorts and a short-sleeve shirt. That’s far-fetched for late Christmas Day, but we all know in Mississippi you don’t know what you are going to get, one day to the next this time of year.

We did things a bit different there this year, too, and it worked out well. The men each bought a men’s gift and the women a women’s gift. We drew numbers to determine the order of opening and played “Dirty Santa.” I ended up with a new leaf blower, which I needed.

The stockings were filled once again, with lots of needed items. And we enjoyed a late lunch and a follow-up dinner.

It was so warm, some of the crew enjoyed shooting practice at the shooting range, and others drove to get some water directly from Godsey Spring, a well-known spot in Marion County.

It was indeed a merry Christmas. I’m thankful, most of all, for the family time.