Frost is in the air, the red kettle bell ringers are outside the stores and Amazon deliverers are working overtime. Yep, tis the season. Every year I promise myself that I will keep the season simpler. Let it be about the reason we celebrate. Let peace reign and heal our fractured souls. Let love wrap us in its warmth during this holiday of good will, generosity and kindness. Allow the season the space needed to do its magic.
Unfortunately, Christmas has lost a little bit of its magic since stores starting stocking Christmas items before Halloween and IG influencers’ holiday decorating posts are already stale. (Please don’t ask me how I know these things.) All in the name of commerce. I really try to ignore these overly anxious promoters. After all, they are just trying to make a living. But the struggle is real.
One way I do this is to hold fast to my rule to wait until after Thanksgiving to play Christmas music and decorate the house. But after Thanksgiving, it is full on Christmas. Every year I take the long weekend after Thanksgiving to decorate for the holidays. This is a carryover from when I was working full-time, and it was the only stretch of time available to spend two full days taking down fall decorations, cleaning and then putting up the Christmas ones. So last weekend, I put on the Christmas music, lit a candle and went to work.
Kicking off the season
In our small town tucked up in the pines of the PNW, the season kicks off every year with a Christmas light parade and fireworks. This year, we were invited to view the festivities from a friend’s deck overlooking the city and lake. The light parade was festive, and the fireworks were heart stopping.
Decorating the house and enjoying the downtown festivities were wonderful ways to kick off the season. May we all remember to take time to exhale and feel the spirit of Christmas in the next few weeks.
Like you, I strive to avoid the commercialism of Christmas. That said, I enjoy gifting meaningful gifts to those in my circle rounded out with homemade goodies from the kitchen. There are so many favorite foods passed down through the generations, i.e., Grandma’s fudge & coconut macaroons. I’m somewhat pagan in my belief system & think we need a celebration in the dark of the year so I celebrate the coming of the light on the winter solstice. December weather in NE Alberta can put a damper on winter travel so I try not to let unrealistic expectations get in the way of enjoying the season however that presents itself. And like many things, the fun is in the preparation. Enjoy.
Hi Mona –
Homemade gifts are the best. Your Grandma’s coconut macaroons sound like they would be fabulous. Beloved recipes have so much history and warm memories associated with them. I remember my mom making Spritz cookies and date bars every year. Thanks for the reminder to enjoy the preparations.
This was a beautiful post, Marian. This week I made my traditional peanut brittle, fudge and my gramma’s sour cream sugar cookies, which take me back to my childhood. I decorated more simply this year, and our family has simplified gift giving as well. So I am slowing down and trying to be mindful as I enjoy this beautiful season.
Merry Christmas dear friend.
Lori
Hi Lori –
What is it about traditions and Christmas that just seem to go hand in hand? Glad you keep the tradition of your mom’s sour cream sugar cookies – those are the best!
What a wonderful post❣️
Hi Janie –
Thank you. Sometimes I have to remind myself to sink into the season and enjoy the festivities.