2008 Woodie Awards
Family gatherings can be interesting
Robert Dora
Issue date: 1/21/08 Section: Opinion
The holidays have passed, but memories of them live on. One thing that the holidays have in common is the act of coming together. Families sitting down together on sacred days is an age old tradition. Some travel across the globe to meet with their family while others need only go down the street. Inevitably, the reunions end up the same way.
You are often surrounded by people you haven't seen for the past year. As a result, you end up answering the same questions and telling the same stories all night. This is great if you have some interesting stories. Eventually, however, it comes down to one question. Families are good at finding that one thing that's wrong with your life. For some it's relationships, others it's school or careers. Everyone manages to find it though, regardless of the subject.
This isn't to say that the gatherings aren't fun, of course. It can be quite fun, as long as the embarrassing moments aren't your own. I remember a "Scattergories" box being set on fire on one occasion. On other occasions, the most interesting sight is a sighting of Santa Claus. I was also taken in by this ruse when I was a child, before I knew of Elfish treachery.
However, the bulk of the excitement from family gatherings comes before the actual gathering. Presents must be wrapped. You must look presentable, of course, and should one choose to host this blessed event, then countless hours must be spent cleaning. These people, the people who've known us our entire lives, are the ones that we all feel the need to impress. Everyone there already knows what you're like, however, so it seems to be a wasted effort. What good is putting on the mask if someone already knows your secret identity?
I fall prey to this ideal too. I was still wrapping presents when my family arrived for Christmas Eve. I had barely finished cleaning when everyone left! The party is usually fun, but its value comes into question when you think about the days spent stressing over it. I always have a good time playing games with my grandparents and listening to everyone's old stories, but sometimes I think it's a time for change. Why not just rent out a hotel room for the night? Everybody chips in, instead of having the party in their home, so the cost is virtually nothing. You come in with everything all clean and neat. Order food or bring it yourself; it doesn't matter. Everyone can go home at the end of the night and if there's a mess left over you can just say "screw it."
You are often surrounded by people you haven't seen for the past year. As a result, you end up answering the same questions and telling the same stories all night. This is great if you have some interesting stories. Eventually, however, it comes down to one question. Families are good at finding that one thing that's wrong with your life. For some it's relationships, others it's school or careers. Everyone manages to find it though, regardless of the subject.
This isn't to say that the gatherings aren't fun, of course. It can be quite fun, as long as the embarrassing moments aren't your own. I remember a "Scattergories" box being set on fire on one occasion. On other occasions, the most interesting sight is a sighting of Santa Claus. I was also taken in by this ruse when I was a child, before I knew of Elfish treachery.
However, the bulk of the excitement from family gatherings comes before the actual gathering. Presents must be wrapped. You must look presentable, of course, and should one choose to host this blessed event, then countless hours must be spent cleaning. These people, the people who've known us our entire lives, are the ones that we all feel the need to impress. Everyone there already knows what you're like, however, so it seems to be a wasted effort. What good is putting on the mask if someone already knows your secret identity?
I fall prey to this ideal too. I was still wrapping presents when my family arrived for Christmas Eve. I had barely finished cleaning when everyone left! The party is usually fun, but its value comes into question when you think about the days spent stressing over it. I always have a good time playing games with my grandparents and listening to everyone's old stories, but sometimes I think it's a time for change. Why not just rent out a hotel room for the night? Everybody chips in, instead of having the party in their home, so the cost is virtually nothing. You come in with everything all clean and neat. Order food or bring it yourself; it doesn't matter. Everyone can go home at the end of the night and if there's a mess left over you can just say "screw it."
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Brenda Stringer
posted 1/28/08 @ 11:01 PM EST
Robbie...what about d_ _ _ _ Gramma? Hey, it's my turn next year so you can come over, relax, and when you leave; just say "screw it".
Enjoyed your article, read some of the others also, keep up the good work. (Continued…)
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