Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for December 24, 2021

Arlo; Say you didn’t

Arlo has a special package wrapped up for Janis.

My mom and her husband would agree to not get each other gifts because they were going on a trip soon after, but then their pets would magically gain the ability to purchase and wrap gifts.

Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonightHurry down the chimney tonightHurry, tonight

“Best opened in the bath anyway.”

I got my wife only one gift to open under the tree. The rest she can open while sitting on the couch.

Every family has Christmas Eve traditions. Ours started innocent enough. When our kids were still young they asked for a tree of their own to decorate in the basement. It was a private tree just for them. In a few years it evolved into a separate party to exchange gifts amoung themselves, and of course, just like every child has ever wanted, it was on Christmas Eve.

Spending limit? What’s that? ❤

Merry Christmas Everyone !Peace Love and Joy to you All

Nice, but I miss finding out which language Ludwig would be speaking to Arlo this year.

My wife’s birthday is in January and mine in February, so we don’t bother with xmas. Last year, I bought her a greenhouse and ended up assembling it in the snow and ice.

Once you start, it is hard to stop at just one.

Smart man…

Aha, Janis has a smile in last panel.

One Christmas my wife asked what I wanted. I said I didn’t need anything. Pretty much had things I wanted (at the time). She got mad at me and would ask again over a few days. I insisted don’t get me anything. You won’t have anything to open Christmas morning she would say.Come Christmas morning she said there’s nothing for you. I replied that I got exactly what I asked for. And was happy about it.

I do that to her all the time!

Let’s face it, it’s hard to not adore the one you love with gifts

The fire looks cozy. I grew up with a fireplace and have fond memories of it. No more, sigh. My wife is extremely allergic to pine and wood smoke. So – no fires in the fireplace, and no live Christmas trees. We’ve tried it in the past with disastrous results.

Oh that smile on Janis, hee! Arlo is a bit like my own hubby—generous and laid-back!

That last smile shows Janice did the same thing.

Arlo is really becoming a romantic lately. Janis is so blessed.

Arlo is just the best! Great role model for a guy to aspire.

Better safe than sorry.

I oopsie a lot too. So punish me. Merry Christmas……

But each has the best gift, on the sofa.

When my brother and I got to be older kids, our family pretty much switched to celebrating Christmas and opening presents on Christmas Eve. I actually have the best Christmas memories of doing that, since it would be after dark, we might have a fire in the fireplace, and all the Christmas lights on the tree and elsewhere would be on (and brighter than during daylight). There is nothing wrong with Christmas Day, of course, but that I associate more with relaxing and having a nice big afternoon dinner with parents and grandparents and other family members.

And to paraphrase Darth Vader: “Now I am the grandparent!”

That first panel does make a nice Christmas card — even though the stocking makes Arlo look like he’s wearing a Santa hat…