One of my children’s favorite books is The Polar Express. They’ve been begging to have it read to them nearly every night since the first Christmas commercial was broadcast back in October. I also love this story, it’s beautiful illustrations and the reminder about the true magic and spirit of Christmas.
On the other hand, BAH HUMBUG.
I think I first began to lose the magic of the Christmas season the first December after Tate and I were married. Instead of looking forward to all the merriment and celebration, it started to feel like nothing more than a to-do list.
1. Attend the same Christmas party that had been cranked out every year before.
2. Fret and stress over over every gift purchase.
3. Travel long distances home for the holiday and bounce from one relative’s house to another, trying to keep everyone else happy.
4. Unpack 1,000 ornaments out of their boxes to decorate the tree, only to have to repack them three weeks later.
5. Hear the same sappy Christmas songs on loop, no matter your location.
And the list could go on and on. So for the past several years, I’ve invited Scrooge and all his angst into my heart to endure the purgatory of December.
Will Jennifer allow Scrooge to dominate this holiday season? Will she soften her anti-Christmas stance? Will she post a video of her singing Christmas carols while hula hooping?
Find out! Click on over to Blog Nosh Magazine to read the exciting conclusion and learn more about this Blog Carnival, sponsored by the Tide Loads of Hope program.
Laura
December 10, 2009 at 11:58 am
I have some of those same frustrations with Christmas. While I love the holiday special feeling in air, the gift giving always stresses me out. Last year, my family (mom and brother’s family) decided to forego regular gifts and plan a trip together during the year instead. We got a cabin in Townsend (I say that because I know you are in east TN too) for a weekend and it was the best Christmas gift ever with them. This year I talked my other sister-in-law (husband’s family) into doing the same thing with a camping trip together during the next year. NOW, if I get my in-laws to do the same, I will be HOME FREE for Christmas (they are the WORST — already have everything they need/want). These gifts of time with each other have significantly reduced the stress of my season.
lceel
December 10, 2009 at 2:33 pm
You are the least Bah Humbug I know. You’ll be there, when the time comes.
lceel´s last blog ..100 Word Challenge – Thinking
~Laura
December 10, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I struggle with this same issue. It is so hard to be the person responsible for the magic. Responsible for someone’s memories. But, the look on their little faces sure makes me want to try. And come Jan 2nd, I’m taking a nap because it is exhausting!
~Laura´s last blog ..THETA Mom
Ness at Drovers Run
December 11, 2009 at 5:09 am
Yeah that Christmas Spirit is strong with me. I nearly got into a very physical fight with a stupid cow who stole my parking space at the mall this morning! About 3 people other than myself witnessed her whizz by me, and pull into the space that I was indicating into. Just for once, I grew a spine. The words, “Blind, stupid, cow, optometrist, eye test, and I think I might have used the F word too.” (hah yeah, 33 years of repressed anger decided to leave me, this morning
Dang it feels great!
Ness at Drovers Run´s last blog ..…and it rages on…
Laura
December 11, 2009 at 12:15 pm
It’s tough to keep the holiday magic alive when the stores have holiday decorations up in late JULY! Heck- I just saw VALENTINE’s decorations! *hell-o!*
*geeesh* I already have to anticipate the needs of three little ones,..and one big one (DH) – I can not be solely responsible for their holiday magic! I can’t do it!