When I was a young mother I lived for this holiday. I worked myself up into a Christmas frenzy for the entire month of December every single year. I burned with a bright eyed fever, lusting after the perfect present, the best deal, the cutest stocking stuffer. I would bake at least ten million cookies, decorate with abandon, and loved it all. I used to have trouble sleeping throughout December because of those damn sugarplums dancing in my head. I must have infected my daughter with the Christmas bug, because she is "that person" now instead of me.
I am not sure what or when it happened, but I am cured of that bug. Perhaps because it is December 4th as I write this and I am still wearing shorts and flipflops? I have a hard time believing the holiday is approaching. Or maybe it is because the world seems to be falling apart. Whatever. I need to get with the program here! Christmas is fun. I need some fun.
My daughter lives only 12 minutes away, and she is definitely in the spirit. Are the holiday senses dulled as one ages? Does the capacity for joy diminish, or does it just mature? Oh no, have I grown up?
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| An old friend from Christmas 2007 to help me get in the holiday spirit |
No, no, no, you merely have passed off the labor and still enjoy the fruits.
ReplyDeleteWell, okay. As long as you are sure I haven't grown up. I'm good with passing on the labor.
DeleteMy Irish in-laws had it down to a T, xmas in their house was always great, lots of people, songs and games, food and drink, dogs and toddlers. We all had our little tasks and contributions and everybody loved it.
ReplyDeleteNow, all the family and friends are entered into the Kris Kringle app on my niece's smartphone and somehow this translates into gift giving and surprise.
I could spend the day in bed if they let me.
The Irish Xmas sounds perfect. I come from a large family and our Christmas Eve's were wonderful back in the day. It makes me happy to remember them. I hope I get in the spirit soon.
DeleteI'm wondering how the Kris Kringle app works.
DeleteEntirely through magic, better ask the elves.
DeleteThat's what I was hoping you'd say.
DeleteI have bought one gift. One. I just can't wrap my mind that I better get with it or I will be left roaming the mall on Christmas Eve.
ReplyDeleteYeah, roaming the mall on Christmas Eve would be the worst. Imagine the pressure. Yikes.
DeleteThis is the first Christmas that I have no fa-la-la in me. There have been so much going on lately and my heart has been hurting and I can't get myself up to all that I should be doing. Today I made some Christmas cookies and did some decorating so maybe I am not a hopeless case.
ReplyDeleteI'm proud of you! I ordered some presents online the other day, but that's about it. I am hoping if I pull the Xmas stuff down from the attic that it will inspire me. I'm sorry you have been down lately. It seems to be an epidemic. I think we all NEED a happy holiday this year to cheer us up.
DeleteI am somewhere in between ho ho ho and bah humbug. One of my two kids is pretty heh about the season. The other is the opposite. It just isn't the same. Maybe a jolt will stike. I am okay (I yhink) if it doesn't.
ReplyDeleteI'm counting on the jolt to strike when I put up the tree. I do love the colors and the ornaments. If it doesn't, it doesn't.
DeleteI would find it very difficult going from a Currier & Ives Christmas to Santa in shorts. My partner is still a kid about Christmas and it is contagious. This morning I woke up to snow! I am going to don my gay apparel and make cookies.
ReplyDeleteOK, I am jealous. I absolutely miss the cold and snow from Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve. The holidays just aren't the same when it is hot and sunny. We actually frost Christmas cookies sitting outside in t-shirts. Enjoy making cookies. :)
DeleteIt was always interesting during this time of the year to grow up Jewish in our country. We never celebrated Hanukkah or Christmas. So December was always just a weird time of no school, lots of lights everywhere, neighborly good cheer, snow and quiet.
ReplyDeleteIt must have seemed strange, especially all the excess and mania.
DeleteIt's time to bring out Charlie Brown's Christmas album, well, CD. I listen to it daily, no kidding, from now until about January 15th. Crazy, but it is just so innocent jolly.
ReplyDeleteWe're not doing any decorating this year, just music and candles. When I had my house the fireplace always set the season with warmth and smoky scent. Those things are really Christmas to me. ... And my grandma's recipe of butter cookies with walnuts and powdered sugar!
We're even going out for Christmas dinner. I'll buy hers and she'll buy mine, that will be our presents. The only thing is she has much more expensive taste than I do...
Sounds lovely, especially the going out for Christmas dinner part. I would love that. When M moved with her family down to Orlando (before we retired and were still in NYS) we went for at least 2 years without putting up a tree or decorating. I have to say, I didn't really miss it. My Mom used to make butter cookies with walnuts and powdered sugar. They were perfect. I may need to make some.
DeleteI still love Christmas. But it's now more mellow, less frenzy:)
ReplyDeleteYes, the more mellow part is great. I'm just not feeling the magic. I'm sure it will sneak up on me and by Christmas Eve I'll be happy as a clam. My husband put up the outside lights today, so that should help put me in the spirit of things.
DeleteI too love Christmas. It is a quiet time for me right now because part of my children, all of my grandchildren and great-grandchildren live so far away. But I still buy gifts and send them to them. Another way to view it might be that here is a holiday set aside to celebrate a glorious time of year. It is a time we set aside to buy gifts and remind those we care about that we love them. I equate Christmas with love.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Emma. I think you are right about Christmas and love. I'm going to hang on to that.
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