I both love and loathe this time of year. I love it because for the most part, people act human, and it’s such a joy to enjoy all the sights of the season. Plus my kids’ excitement is infectious, so you can’t help smiling or laughing with them. I loathe it because it also brings out the worst in people – rudeness, stupidity and a total lack of all human decency. I spent an entire day on a marathon shopping spree, and for the most part, people were nice and helpful. But there were a few I would have loved to have clocked with my armloads of shopping bags.
The other reason the season grates is that there’s so much to do. Between all the pageants and concerts and plays, I feel like I spend a huge chunk of time in churches and school auditoriums. Not to mention the shopping – though with online shopping it is much easier than it used to be. But then there’s the tree to put up, my Christmas in the City houses that need to be put out, lights to put on the house, cookies to bake, and endless presents to wrap. Another dilemma facing me is hiding the kids’ gifts. My daughter is 14, so she knows who Santa is, but my 6 year old son is still a believer, and had quite a list to present to Santa when we visited this year. And my hiding places are growing more and more limited each year.
But the tree is up (not without some drama from above-mentioned 14 year old), the houses are out (with some heart-stopping moments from the 6 year old who insists on playing with the people!), lights are bright and cheery on the house, and the cookie ingredients are ready (I’ll be bringing some to my critique group holiday gathering, so get ready ladies). So I guess I’m ahead of things this year, which is unusual. Of course, my house looks like a few dozen bombs went off since yesterday, so there’s the downside. There’s always a downside, isn’t there? Overall, though, we had a lot of fun
But the point is, I really am feeling the season this year. Definitely more love than loathe. Last year, I had foot surgery, so everything was rushed and then I was disabled and couldn’t do much of anything, making it a "loathing" year. So I’m really enjoying even the maddening moments this year. The Ipod is loaded up with holiday songs that I’ve been playing every chance I get. And walking the malls was a lot less painful too.
What about everyone else? Are you ready? Close? What fun traditions do you have for the season, that really make it feel like holiday-time? Anyone expecting any lumps of coal this year? ;) Hard to believe that a month-plus worth of prep is all over in a day!
Definitely a busy time of the year. I used to take my presents to a friend's house and store them there so the children couldn't peek. Then she and I would open a bottle of wine and wrap presents. Those were fun times.
ReplyDeleteHi Gianna!
ReplyDeleteI too started to feel the holidays again these last couple of years, even more so this year. My children are young adults now, but I still see and feel the child in them around this time. I love to see when they are visiting and chatting and laughing with their dad, taking a run out together to the store, giving that extra hug, etc. I used to avoid the Christmas stories and movies with my mom passing after Thanksgiving 10 years ago. Then last year I had read a Regency romance set at Christmas with someone's urging and so glad I did! Made me realize too that she wouldn't want me to avoid it all, so I filling up with lots of those reads during this year along with the old movies (Watched Christmas in Connecticut last night, it was great). So I'm waiting for everyone to get home from work and enjoy the family! You continue to enjoy yours!
PS I only shop online! I don't like crowds. My daughter is a bargain shopper and did most of it for the nieces and nephews! It can be nuts out there!
Hi Caffey! Thanks for stopping by. I have to admit. this morning, most of the insanity has died down. Major preps are done for the most part, and the best thing of all, my cleaning people are at my house now, so that's another hurdle overcome! A handful of minor things to pick up this week, hopefully today, and I don't have to go near a store until after it's all over!
ReplyDeleteI've lost a few people real close to the holiday - my FIL and grandfather both left us at holiday time, and my cousin passed last year a week before Christmas, and left behind 2 little girls. And as hard as that has been (her older sister had passed away 10 years earlier, so this was a brutal blow to the family), we maintain the traditions and reall the happy times with laughter and tears. And I also find an emotional love story is a good way to bring things into focus - when it's close to home, we don't always see it objectively, but with other people, or characters, *we* can be the objective ones.
Glad to see you! Have a wonderful Christmas.