…there were a few decorations scattered about.
I am not at Christmas Crazy levels, and I may not get there, but I’m all right with that.
I’ve been reading a lot online about how stressed out people are about Christmas, and how they don’t want to spend time with their families because it doesn’t go well, and even how much some people hate Christmas. HATE Christmas! And it’s been bringing me down.
But then, fortunately, I stumbled over to Her Bad Mother, and my faith (in the blogging community vis-a-vis this holiday) was restored. (My religious faith is pretty sound.) This is the post I would write if I were as articulate as HBM. I also like this post from Rocking Pony, mostly because I really admire her son’s imagination.
I have been facing my own little stressors about Christmas of course. My house has no lights on it; we don’t have a tree yet; I still have gift shopping to do and parties to attend and cookies to bake. My front door wreath is still sitting in my hallway, because I haven’t actually found a way to hang it on the door. (The hook we have there is too small. DearDR usually does this complicated thread pulley system, but there must be a better way.) We are having a cash-only Christmas this year, and we all know how I feel about my budget and money.
I didn’t want to repeat myself, so I went rummaging through my archives, such as they are. Remembering how Bun threw up all over the place around this time last year made me stifle my giggles — funny now, stressful then. Funny mostly because I can still picture the eruption, and my shocked thought: how can someone that little puke THAT MUCH?
Then there is the Santa post, and we’re still right about here. Am I being a Grinch? Is it unfair to not build up Santa? To quote: “Should I introduce the myth of Santa to [Monkey]? How? Should I use Santa as a motivator to be good, as so many people do this time of year? … I have my own mixed feelings about the whole Santa-myth and secular ‘holiday’ time as it is.” Your thoughts are welcome.
I’m not actually that worked up about the lights on the house thing. I decorate nicely inside, and we are getting a tree this year if I have to buy and decorate it by myself. I think outside lights are very pretty — as do my girls — but really, I can’t do it all, people.
My mantra this time of year is something to the effect of: It’s Jesus’ birthday. That is what I am celebrating Christmas day. And all the other trappings are just that: trappings. Donating to others is an integral part of our Christmas; this year, Monkey picked out the angel from our Angel Tree at church. We put coins in the big red kettles (it’s fun!). We leave canned goods in food drive pick-up spots. And we keep our own gift giving to a minimum (three gifts each among the four of us — Jesus got three gifts; thanks to M for that suggestion), and only for Niece and Nephews in the extended family. Well, and lots of homemade wine or lemoncello for the adults.
I have learned my own limits about this holiday, and I live pretty comfortably within them. Keeping the Christ child in the center of it all really helps me. I wish it were that easy for everyone.
Whatever you celebrate this time of year, may you find some peace in it.
Oh, and, Gina: HAHAHAHAHA!
Red Pen Mama 