Take it from a “Christmas baby” On Christmas Day 2011
I celebrated my golden birthday – turning 25 years old on Dec. 25. Now I’ll admit that the majority of people I meet assume that being born on Christmas must “suck,” and most aren’t afraid to question whether or not I share the sentiment. Following that inquiry, the next question is always the same: “Do you get fewer presents?” It’s true that, for a quarter of a century, I have shared my name day with two famous men, Jesus Christ and Santa Claus, and the grandiose traditions celebrating these icons. But I am keen to tell those who ask, that given the chance, I doubt I would select a different day on which to be born (if a person could do such a thing), because, truthfully, having my birthday coincide with the pinnacle of the holiday season has granted me an interesting perspective on its “true meaning.”
Make a list, check it twice; visiting here sure is nice Forget about Santa Claus. He already has his list of who’s been naughty and who’s been nice. You need to make a list of what to see and do in Port Townsend and Jefferson County during a holiday season trip.
Let me eat pie My parents, Michael and Lisa Claflin, always strove to make the birthday of their youngest daughter a special occasion, at once separate and a part of the holiday. When I was a kid, it was easy. On the last day of school before winter break, I’d have a party, complete with balloons and hats, birthday cake and games, a sleepover and movies. As I got older, the celebrations matured, and about the time I turned 16, they ended altogether. Now, I enjoy an evening out with friends, a few beers bought in my honor and people letting me win at pool (or so they argue). But at home, traditions stay the same. Christmas is celebrated in the morning, and in the evening, after the turkey is carved and the taters are mashed, my mom puts a kaleidoscope of candles into an apple pie (I’ve never much liked cake), and we sing “Happy Birthday.” My presents are wrapped accordingly, in paper devoid of red and green, and on occasion, if my dad and sister are feeling playful, I’ll still don the paper hat. The best part: In my family you never have to do the dishes on your birthday!
Forever young It’s a rare occasion (in the month of December or really during the rest of the year) that I can pass my ID to a bartender, waiter, clerk or attendant without hearing them exclaim, “You’re a Christmas baby!” (or a “Jesus baby” for those who are religious). It’s true: At 26 years old, I am (and am likely to remain) repeatedly called an infant – an occurrence that my friends find hilarious and which is often the
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2012 Holiday Gift Guide
On Christmas Day in 1987,while celebrating at my grandparents’ home in Vancouver, Wash., I turned 1 year old. According to my mother, I was walking at 9 months old and “quite a handful,” more than willing to help my extended family members open their gifts. Despite what one might assume, sharing my birthday with Jesus Christ and the holiday has never been anything less than enjoyable, because it is always a time of good cheer, good eats, and family close by to celebrate with. Photo by Michael and Lisa Claflin basis of some kind of bet. (“I’ll buy the first round if she doesn’t say it” is usually how it goes.) As I’ve explained, the questions are always the same (even my family fields a query or two): “Do you hate it?” No. “Do you get fewer presents?” Maybe. “Do you celebrate a half-birthday?” On occasion. My knee-jerk response is to tell people, with twinkle in my eye, that I’m just not getting any older.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas Because I grew up in Spokane, Wash., in my mind’s eye, Christmas is, and always should be, accompanied by a delicate cascade of snowflakes, frosting the limbs of the evergreens that surround my childhood home and accumulating into banks high as our pine fence. Christmas is about snowmen and sledding, snowball fights and igloo forts. To this day, one of my favorite pastimes is to flop down into that fluffy white landscape and feel the snowflakes dust my cheeks and eyelashes, the silence of a cold winter’s night ominous and familiar as I sink deeper into the snowy berm. Each year, a debate ensues as to the
exact date when the Christmas tree should be assembled and whether to listen to Nat King Cole or Elvis first. Antique ornaments and knickknacks are exhumed from the closet beneath the staircase and freed from their yearly wrapping of newspaper. These iconic figurines of Christmases past, some passed down from my parents’ grandparents, others given to us by friends, always remind us of those who can’t be present but are with us in spirit.
Scrooge-free zone I guess I’m entitled to feel a bit overshadowed by the holidays, but in truth, amidst the hustle and bustle, I have always enjoyed the sense that something bigger, something grand, is just around the corner. Sure, I can be annoyed by the accompanying consumerism or fall into the cynicism that, despite the carolers and the decorations, “Peace on Earth” is often fleeting. But here’s a piece of advice from this Christmas baby: Enjoy the season. Eat a little too much, drink and be merry. Dote on one another and give what you can to those in need. Because Christmas comes only once a year; trust me, I know – it’s my birthday. – Megan Claflin
• Plan to be impressed, simply amazed at the quality of locally produced items, from fine art to sensational cider, and the shops with their custom imports and choices not common in retail chain stores. • Be hungry, for we have dozens of great restaurants and cafes to satisfy your appetite. • Bring your reusable cloth shopping bags. The City of Port Townsend, as of Nov. 1, has instituted a plastic bag ban, which, for retail shops, means small paper bags are free to customers, but large paper bags cost a nickel. • Port Townsend has a lot to offer, but so do stores in Quilcene, Port Ludlow, Port Hadlock and Chimacum. They have great places to eat, too. • Come for the day or stay the night. The calendar of events in this magazine lists evening entertainment, craft fairs (none bigger than the 25th annual Chimacum Arts and Crafts Fair, Dec. 8-9), bazaars, and tons of other family-friendly things to do and see. Put us on your holiday list!
The Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader