Ducks @ Oregon - University of Oregon

A Gierau Family Christmas Surprise

Keri S.

December 23, 2009 - 11:30 PM

Every year, my mom's side of the family, the Gieraus, gets together for a White Elephant gift exchange party to celebrate Christmas. This year, my mom hosted the party and we had eighteen people from ages three to eighty-eight running around the house. There was never a dull moment, as Gieraus are known for their chatty manor, loud voices and their ability to have fun.

While I thought this was going to be the same old same old White Elephant party, there was a HUGE twist that I was completely unaware of. My mom is so proud of herself for being so sneaky! She (and my entire family) got me pretty good!

As tradition in our family goes, everybody brings a $25 gift certificate and an additional small item (a movie, a book, etc) to contribute. We have all been to those White Elephant parties where you bring something really awesome and leave with a useless, crummy present (mine happened in third grade when I brought awesome magic markers and went home with a loaf of bread. I cried the whole way home). It's never fun. The Gierau way, we all get something we like and that we can use. It's a great idea if I can say so myself!

So as my turn came, I had a tough decision. I never just pick from the pile of presents, because I didn't want to get a present I didn't want (like a Home Depot gift card). As I contemplated between stealing the Best Buy gift card or the Target gift card, this BEAUTIFUL looking Oregon Football disposable shopping bag kept catching my eye. Why hadn't this present been touched yet? I was in a room full of die hard duck fans with a few, brave Beavers showing their faces after the devastating Las Vegas bowl. (Sorry Dad I had to mention the game!). I knew I would have to love whatever was in that bag, so I went against my normal rule and grabbed it.

As I opened the bag, there were fake roses as the tissue paper. I loved the present already! I also got a $25 Nike gift card (my favorite!) and a book about this history of Oregon Football. I was pretty satisfied with my pickings. My mom says "Oh my gosh! I think that the coach signed some of those books. You should open it up and see if he signed yours". As I opened the book, there was no autograph. What was there was so much prettier: a ticket to the Rose Bowl. As I stood in shock, the entire room staring at me, it took me a while to comprehend what was going on. My parents staged the whole thing so my entire family could see me open my present. They all played a role in how the ticket was obtained, and were all a part of this beautiful Christmas present! My Grandpa, aka the biggest duck fan I know, has had season tickets for at least 30 years. He was able to get my ticket as a season ticket holder. My cousin, Holly, was able to find an affordable airline ticket and let my mom use her companion flier coupon. My Uncle Jon is going to be my date for the weekend along with my Uncle Mike and Cousin Mike who live in LA. Thank you all of this AMAZING present and the roll you played, and I am so excited to once again root on my ducks as a student!

Even as I sit here, after everyone has gone and the excitement has died down, I still cannot believe it. THE ROSE BOWL!!!!!!! Although I was wishing and hoping that is what I would get for Christmas, I never thought in my wildest dreams that it was actually what I would get. I called my mom the day after the Civil War, when I was on the ultimate Duck Football high, and told her I wanted to go to the Rose Bowl. I was a little discouraged when I was laughed at for a solid minute. At that point, I let go of the dream.

Congrats to my entire family (and apparently the entire city of Salem who was in the know) for keeping such a great secret. You caught me so off guard! This will definitely be a Christmas and a New Years I will never forget!

In conclusion: WATCH OUT PASADENA, THE CRAZY GIERAU CLAN IS COMING!!!