I used to love Christmas. I would eagerly anticipate it for months beforehand and I couldn't wait to start shopping for my family and friends. When I met my husband it was at long last a romantic holiday to share with the man that I loved. When we had our first child it was transformed back into a truly magical event where we could share our traditions and excitedly make new ones for all of our children. Stories of Santa and his reindeer and Rudolph, Frosty and Charlie Brown specials on tv filled the house and our toddler's ears. We were a family at Christmas; what could be sweeter?
Unfortunately, a few years ago it just lost its luster for me. The kids were older and some Santa-doubt was creeping in, but I think that the accumulation of shoddy holiday decor and knick-knacks was the main culprit for my bad mood. I hate even thinking of pulling all that stuff out and going through it to find something inspiring. Things from our early years as a couple that used to bring a smile to my face are either broken or tarnished. Even the walking, "Jingle Bells" playing, bell ringing Santa from my childhood doesn't make it out of the box anymore. And he still works!
One small glimmer of hope is... - our boring, old, fake tree has taken a stand for the last time. This year we whipped out the duct tape to hold the base together and vowed that this would be it for the old pipe cleaner. I am actually looking forward to having a new one next year; the pre-lit kind so I don't have to wrap the lights around it. I know that I should be out shopping for a new one now, when after-holiday deals are available, but I cannot bring any more Christmas stuff into this house! I am already overwhelmed with toys strewn through every room and this year's decorations to take down. I am fully aware that I need to go through those boxes and purge the stuff I can't stomach to look at another year. It will be a lot of time and effort, but the idea of starting fresh is really getting me in the spirit! Hmmm.... Too bad it's December 28th.
I do think next year will be better. Besides, there only needs to be one Grinch, and I am determined that it won't be me.
No comments:
Post a Comment