I’ve been so busy this month “doing” Christmas that whatever spirit I’ve had has been forced so far.
But tonight during dinner Elf was on. As Wayne and I sat merrily cracking away on our crab legs (Publix had them on sale…Yum!), one of our little trees winked back at me, and I laughed at Will Ferrell’s antics as Buddy the Elf, I felt the real Christmas spirit finally taking hold.
My stress started melting away and I realized I could suddenly breathe a little easier. There’s not much left to do except enjoy the holiday.
The last big Christmas task, which isn’t that big, is to deliver gifts to neighbors on Christmas Eve. That’s what got me thinking about traditions.
The block we lived on in Jacksonville was extremely cohesive. Something that was exemplified around Christmastime. Most of the neighbors exchanged gifts, either with immediate neighbors or everyone on the block. Gifts were never extravagant, mostly baked goods or ornaments, and lots of hugs.
And it wasn’t just the wives going around doing the gifting. The husbands always went along too –-yes, even the Scrooge of a husband I’m married to.
When we moved I decided to adopt this tradition in my new home. Our first Christmas here (which was last year because the year before we’d only lived here three months and went to Denver for the holidays) I baked cookies, put them on festive trays, and delivered them to some of the neighbors we’d gotten to know.
I decided not to bake cookies this year because I needed to eliminate something to save me time and sanity. Up until four days ago I’d also decided to forego gifting neighbors. I’d decided to settle for just sending letters.
But then a funny thing happened. A neighbor across the street came over to talk on Wednesday and mentioned her kids had asked if Wayne and I’d be bringing cookies by again.
Well, I still didn’t have time to bake, but it made me realize I would have missed the gifting if I’d simply sent letters.
So I went out in a mad dash to find small gifts for everyone. By the time Wayne came home Thursday night he could tell the elves had been hard at work. The table was covered with gift bags.
“When are we going to make the rounds?” he playfully groaned.
“Monday,” I announced, satisfied I’d reconsidered and decided to uphold our tradition anyway.
I’d forgotten, that’s another Christmas To Do he helps me with. Semi-begrudgingly, but he’s like me -–he enjoys giving more than receiving. By the end of it he’ll feel good we went to the trouble.
And then we’ll both be in the spirit.
Question to Readers
Are any of the following traditions you and your spouse do during the holidays?
Go to church.
Look at lights.
Sip hot cocoa in front of a fire.
Play games.
Make gingerbread houses.
Go caroling.
Volunteer somewhere, like a homeless shelter or nursing home, to bring Christmas cheer to those less fortunate.
Fight. (Hey, some families wouldn’t consider it a Christmas without a good family showdown.)
Bake cookies together. (Or in my case, I bake them and Wayne eats them.)
Watch a certain movie that’s become a holiday favorite.
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