JP ShawFriday love list: tis the season to be cranky
Okay this post is longer than I wanted it to be, but I couldn't help myself. I just had to share these ideas. First I want to say that I know it sucks. The day after Halloween I find myself feeling the same way as I opened up the local newspaper to check the flyer's for good grocery shopping deals, and low and behold I find myself staring at a bunch of Christmas trees. They stare back at me whispering the countdown begins --NOW.
It's November and already the stores are stocking their shelves with those pretty little items to decorate the trees you know will go on sale in about a week. The deals are under way, the commercials are geared up, now that the witch has gone back into cave, and the cauldron is done bubbling. It's the Christmas season.
Now I don't know about you, but I love Christmas. It's my favorite time of year, for a variety of reasons. My wedding anniversary is on the 22nd of December. My little brother's birthday is on the 18th, (your getting old superman) hehe, and it's the time of year for me where I get to really enjoy my family and friends, and watch my children relive my own memories from childhood of sugar plums dancing in their heads, while waiting for the fat man to come down a chimney we don't have.
Everyone is getting sick of the season because it starts too early. Everyone becomes Scrooge before Christmas even arrives because commercially it's shoved down our throats with every bargain basement deal, every sweet offer, every gift idea and so forth. I mean that's why they came up with gift cards, for all those people who don't want to deal with being jolly during the season, who don't want to shop, wrap anything, or even remotely enjoy everything the season does have to offer. And with Christmas beginning the day after Halloween. Who can really fault them?
I could go on and on how I manage to keep my smile on my face at the start of November and not allow Christmas to Scrooge me. The bottom line for me though is that Christmas is about giving not getting. It's about helping not hindering, and enjoying not fretting. Instead of whining about the season starting early, I simply join in the fun but in my own unique way so I can hold onto the Christmas spirit and not let Santa Coming town early disappoint my joy.
Merry Ho Ho
What are some of your favorite things to do at Christmas? Tell me.
It's November and already the stores are stocking their shelves with those pretty little items to decorate the trees you know will go on sale in about a week. The deals are under way, the commercials are geared up, now that the witch has gone back into cave, and the cauldron is done bubbling. It's the Christmas season.
Now I don't know about you, but I love Christmas. It's my favorite time of year, for a variety of reasons. My wedding anniversary is on the 22nd of December. My little brother's birthday is on the 18th, (your getting old superman) hehe, and it's the time of year for me where I get to really enjoy my family and friends, and watch my children relive my own memories from childhood of sugar plums dancing in their heads, while waiting for the fat man to come down a chimney we don't have.
Everyone is getting sick of the season because it starts too early. Everyone becomes Scrooge before Christmas even arrives because commercially it's shoved down our throats with every bargain basement deal, every sweet offer, every gift idea and so forth. I mean that's why they came up with gift cards, for all those people who don't want to deal with being jolly during the season, who don't want to shop, wrap anything, or even remotely enjoy everything the season does have to offer. And with Christmas beginning the day after Halloween. Who can really fault them?
This Friday's love list: for me is about what the season means. How I look beyond the commercialism of Santa's favorite day, and enjoy the memories I had as a child --now as an adult, and hang onto to the Christmas spirit. It's what I love about the best holiday of the year, despite the control to purchase purchase purchase being shoved in my face every minute of every day. Sometimes you have to look beyond what you see, to see that snowflake dangling off that snow covered tree to see its true beauty. Trust me it will help you fight against the cold if you just open your eyes...
Friday's love list: How I hold onto the Christmas spirit and get past all the commercialism.
Make my own gifts. Why bothering buying when homemade gifts keep you busy through November until the big day, and everyone loves a home made gift. It's something that means more than buying that cheap sweater on sale at the store.
Put my tree up early. I know silly how is that avoiding commercialism? Well if you can't beat them then join them, but in your own way. Instead of getting annoyed at what I'm seeing every corner I turn, I get more into the spirit by joining in the fun as it's happening, instead of feeling like I'm the only one who doesn't have a decoration out.
I love watching Christmas movies early. It's the movies that really tell the tale of what Christmas is all about. Not the commercials on television. I have a huge collection of Christmas movies and I sit down with the kids and we watch all snuggled on the sofa in the middle of November. There may not be snow on the ground, but our hearts are filled with the season.
Bake Christmas Cookies before December 1st. I love the smell of shortbread and sugar cookies. So we are going to bake this year, put the cookies in tins, and hand them out to some our neighbors as little tokens for the work they do around here for everyone.
Take the kids shopping for a gift for another child. Getting caught up in the "I want this... I want that..." scenario of the season is easy for kids, what with all the bloody commercials every channel turned on the tv. So I'm taking the kids shopping for a few shoe box items to give to other children. Along with giving away toys they don't need on freecycle for those families who don't have money but need free gifts for their kids. It's a great way to keep the season alive in your heart and mind.
Offer to help my neighbors get their lights up early. A lot of people dread Christmas because it means hauling out the old box of lights and decorations and setting them up, and people just don't want to. So I'm going to offer to help my neighbors, the ones who are more elderly to put up the things they want and help them feel better about not being behind the rush.
The e-mail story. Each year I do this, and I love it. I start by telling my own fondest Christmas memory from childhood or after, and then I send it to all my friends in my address book. They have to tell their own story, send it back to me. It will go to the others I have on the list so everyone can share their memories together. You wouldn't believe the funny, sometimes sad, but wonderful memories people have if they only think about them. It keeps my spirit of Christmas alive.
Decoration day countdown. With my kids I've done this before, and will be again this year. I put my tree up early yes, but don't decorate it right away. I mean it's November, and getting sick of the season is easy. I put the lights on, and the tree is bare with nothing but the star on top. The decorations sit in a box, and each day in November into December only one of us gets to pick and choose which decoration to put on the tree. By the time Christmas does finally arrive the tree is done, and we are happy to watch it's design unfold before us.
Secret Santa with fake money. I love this idea and haven't done this since I was in my twenties. Each member gets monopoly money, or make your own. You start with $10,000 each. You draw a name out of hat who you are to be secret Santa to in the house, and when the early flyer's come, instead of getting all HUM BUG about it. I shop for my person. I can spend what I want (out of my 10 grand limit) and I make a list of all the things I'm going to get them. The gifts are of course expensive, and some not so expensive. On Christmas eve we exchange lists with each other. I get a good laugh to see I've received a big color tv and a diamond ring I'm never going to really have given by someone who loves me. It's fun and keeps my busy shopping and wishing when money is tight this time of year. It's good to dream.
I love to go out and look at the lights at other houses. There are many houses that put up lights early. And when I'm stopped in front of a house, there is something magical about it, something that seems to make you forget it's only November 4th, and it's actually the wonderful day of celebration with each bulb that twinkles. I check my local paper because people who want crowds advertise early. It's the best thing to do if you want to avoid the malls, and it's free.
Christmas Card Enjoyment can be fun, but some people never get cards. I love getting Christmas cards, especially in the mail. Some years what I've done is chosen a neighbor to start with in November, and hand make them a card. Most dollar stores have scrapbook supplies, stickers, even pre-made card templates. Instead of just giving the card when I am finished. I get a stamp and mail it. It's neat to see the joy on my neighbors face, or have them knock on my door to chat and giggle about me mailing them a card when I live right next door. Remember something small can really make a person's day more than you know.
Friday's love list: How I hold onto the Christmas spirit and get past all the commercialism.
Make my own gifts. Why bothering buying when homemade gifts keep you busy through November until the big day, and everyone loves a home made gift. It's something that means more than buying that cheap sweater on sale at the store.
Put my tree up early. I know silly how is that avoiding commercialism? Well if you can't beat them then join them, but in your own way. Instead of getting annoyed at what I'm seeing every corner I turn, I get more into the spirit by joining in the fun as it's happening, instead of feeling like I'm the only one who doesn't have a decoration out.
I love watching Christmas movies early. It's the movies that really tell the tale of what Christmas is all about. Not the commercials on television. I have a huge collection of Christmas movies and I sit down with the kids and we watch all snuggled on the sofa in the middle of November. There may not be snow on the ground, but our hearts are filled with the season.
Bake Christmas Cookies before December 1st. I love the smell of shortbread and sugar cookies. So we are going to bake this year, put the cookies in tins, and hand them out to some our neighbors as little tokens for the work they do around here for everyone.
Take the kids shopping for a gift for another child. Getting caught up in the "I want this... I want that..." scenario of the season is easy for kids, what with all the bloody commercials every channel turned on the tv. So I'm taking the kids shopping for a few shoe box items to give to other children. Along with giving away toys they don't need on freecycle for those families who don't have money but need free gifts for their kids. It's a great way to keep the season alive in your heart and mind.
Offer to help my neighbors get their lights up early. A lot of people dread Christmas because it means hauling out the old box of lights and decorations and setting them up, and people just don't want to. So I'm going to offer to help my neighbors, the ones who are more elderly to put up the things they want and help them feel better about not being behind the rush.
The e-mail story. Each year I do this, and I love it. I start by telling my own fondest Christmas memory from childhood or after, and then I send it to all my friends in my address book. They have to tell their own story, send it back to me. It will go to the others I have on the list so everyone can share their memories together. You wouldn't believe the funny, sometimes sad, but wonderful memories people have if they only think about them. It keeps my spirit of Christmas alive.
Decoration day countdown. With my kids I've done this before, and will be again this year. I put my tree up early yes, but don't decorate it right away. I mean it's November, and getting sick of the season is easy. I put the lights on, and the tree is bare with nothing but the star on top. The decorations sit in a box, and each day in November into December only one of us gets to pick and choose which decoration to put on the tree. By the time Christmas does finally arrive the tree is done, and we are happy to watch it's design unfold before us.
Secret Santa with fake money. I love this idea and haven't done this since I was in my twenties. Each member gets monopoly money, or make your own. You start with $10,000 each. You draw a name out of hat who you are to be secret Santa to in the house, and when the early flyer's come, instead of getting all HUM BUG about it. I shop for my person. I can spend what I want (out of my 10 grand limit) and I make a list of all the things I'm going to get them. The gifts are of course expensive, and some not so expensive. On Christmas eve we exchange lists with each other. I get a good laugh to see I've received a big color tv and a diamond ring I'm never going to really have given by someone who loves me. It's fun and keeps my busy shopping and wishing when money is tight this time of year. It's good to dream.
I love to go out and look at the lights at other houses. There are many houses that put up lights early. And when I'm stopped in front of a house, there is something magical about it, something that seems to make you forget it's only November 4th, and it's actually the wonderful day of celebration with each bulb that twinkles. I check my local paper because people who want crowds advertise early. It's the best thing to do if you want to avoid the malls, and it's free.
Christmas Card Enjoyment can be fun, but some people never get cards. I love getting Christmas cards, especially in the mail. Some years what I've done is chosen a neighbor to start with in November, and hand make them a card. Most dollar stores have scrapbook supplies, stickers, even pre-made card templates. Instead of just giving the card when I am finished. I get a stamp and mail it. It's neat to see the joy on my neighbors face, or have them knock on my door to chat and giggle about me mailing them a card when I live right next door. Remember something small can really make a person's day more than you know.
I could go on and on how I manage to keep my smile on my face at the start of November and not allow Christmas to Scrooge me. The bottom line for me though is that Christmas is about giving not getting. It's about helping not hindering, and enjoying not fretting. Instead of whining about the season starting early, I simply join in the fun but in my own unique way so I can hold onto the Christmas spirit and not let Santa Coming town early disappoint my joy.
Merry Ho Ho
What are some of your favorite things to do at Christmas? Tell me.
