The only thing worse than getting a Chia Pet or a fruitcake for a holiday gift is trying to get into the seasonal spirit during a recession. And boy, do we have one big Chia fruitcake of a Christmas present this year.
My British husband and I are raising a 7-year-old grandson, whom we recently adopted. I know many families are trying to make happy holiday memories for children, and are doing so on a limited budget. May a creative grandma of the Baby-Boomer generation offer a few tips? My motto is, if you can’t wrap with the big elves, get out from under the tree.
December is a busy month for us. Grandson (the Mini-Brit) has a December birthday, he and my husband are Jewish (I call him the Britisher-Yiddisher), so we celebrate Hanukkah, and I’m a sucker for Christmas past, with a 1950s original Putz Village and a ’60s aluminum tree.
On a recent weekend, I took Mini-Brit Sam out so Big Brit could watch his soccer games in peace, if you call screaming at the Arsenal football team peace. We made up our own holiday traditions at little or no cost, saving on gas by staying close to home in Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, and Nipomo.
First, we stoked up on a hot breakfast at the Village Cafe in the Village of Arroyo Grande. This place has a down-home feel, yummy homemade biscuits and gravy, great coffee, and friendly service from the staff and new owner Tammy. The Village of Arroyo Grande has several quaint shops and antique stores, and it’s really pretty at night with charming lights along the street and in the shops.
Visit with Santa while you’re there for your own wish list fulfillment. Sam knew at once this was the true Mr. C. because he had real whiskers. Santa is happy to pose for a free photo with the kids and family or even family dog. Plus, the Big Man is my ace-in-the-hole while shopping for a new outfit, countering Sam’s litany of groans (“This is boring—when are we going to have fun?”) with, “Santa is right across the street and can hear you!”
I acquiesced at last—“Let me find my size in these pants and we’ll go.” Mr. Helpful then chirped out loudly, “I know your size, Grandma! Big!” At least it was funny to watch everyone around us desperately trying to pretend not to laugh. Yeah, a merry one to all of you, too!
I decided a pit stop was in order, so we headed to CJ’s Cafe on Grand Avenue, where the friendly staff serves up great coffee, homemade piping hot soup, and, according to Sam, “the juiciest hamburgers on Earth.”
We then took a drive to the Prime Outlets for holiday shopping bargains and finally headed to the Dollar Tree Store in Arroyo Grande for gift-wrap and stocking stuffers. It’s amazing and fun to watch small children pick out gifts they think teachers, relatives, and others will adore.
It was getting dark, and what holiday is complete without a light show? There’s a miniature Vegas strip in Nipomo, off Tefft and Orchard, that will amaze and astound even the Grinchiest, and it was truly a delight to Sam. The entire street does one heck of a show, with myriad lights, several inflatables, a swingin’ singing Santa, and holiday music to boot. This is not to be missed. The homeowners on this street all have some truly awesome holiday spirit.
Sam then announced it was time for dinner, so I took the Hollow Leg back to Grover Beach for a nosh at the Station Grill on Grand Avenue, just behind the train station. It’s fun to watch the trains go by, count the boxcars, and relive childhood memories brought to mind by all the train memorabilia, plus the place has some tasty dinner specials.
The evening was still early, and both Sam and I had sore feet and shoulders from schlepping bags while shopping. This meant only one thing: a Chinese foot massage. We headed up Grand Avenue a few blocks to the Bao-Sheng Foot Spa.
While soaking our tired tootsies, masseuse Tina and masseur Marli each massaged our heads, hands, shoulders, and arms. Sam has been learning Mandarin in school and delighted Tina by counting and thanking her in Chinese. “Xie xie (shay-shay)!” he piped, and, I swear, got extra massage time, the sneaky little charmer!
It was pure ecstasy to relax while sipping green tea, listening to soothing Asian music, and having gentle hands rub your feet—and the price can’t be beat. It’s the perfect ending for your piggies after a day at the market. The Chinese staff members speak broken English, but are friendly and helpful, and by the time we left, they had formed special bonds with Sam. I’m considering calling Washington and getting him a job with the U.N.
We headed home, shopping mission accomplished, yet relaxed and filled with convivial seasonal spirit. Then Sam said the words that overwhelmed me with holiday joy: “I’m tired, so I’m going straight to bed. Good night.”
Ariel Waterman loves the holidays, good coffee, foot massages, Sam, and the Brit. Send holiday greetings through her arts editor at scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Dec 18-25, 2008.
