I have joked for years that my favorite day of the holiday season is December 26th. I'm not a huge fan of the Christmas Season with it's ever-expanding to-do lists, forced socializing, and excesses of planning, decorating, buying, entertaining, cooking, baking, SUGAR eating.... Even though I've scaled all that back dramatically in recent years (except the sugar binges), it seems there are still moments when I'm overwhelmed/over-stimulated and just want it all to STOP! I hit a low point on Saturday 12/22, just prior to leaving for a Winter Solstice Party with friends, but about a quarter of the way into the evening, I rallied and enjoyed walking the traditional spiral path, singing holiday songs and carols, and spending time with my Tribe.
My second wind ended up with us adding to the family plans by buying lights to set up our own backyard spiral for walking on Christmas Eve, which we thought was very beautiful and meaningful, but which was met with what I'd say was tolerance at best by our sons and their people. The grand girls seemed to find it a fine and novel activity, but others were mute about their experience of it. I guess it's too late to add another "tradition" to the already well-established Christmas Eve family festivities. But I'm not giving up entirely. I think I'll move it to my birthday, which is only a couple days before the Solstice. Plus, I can demand anything on my birthday and get no complaints. We'll add a bonfire with BD S'mores and all will be happy.
It's well known that cooking and baking are not my thing, and it's a big chore for me. Over the past few years more and more I've been grateful for sharing this part of the holiday as the youngers bring dishes to share. The feast they put together for our Christmas Eve buffet this year was a wonder to behold! Son Two took on the majority of the Christmas Day dinner too. I felt like a guest in my own home. A lovely gift to me.
Speaking of gifts. A few years ago we decided to exchange names amongst the six adults to have only one to buy for. All of us get things for the little girls. We don't reveal who we have until Christmas Day gift exchange time and it's fun to find out who our Secret Santa was. The odds of getting the same person, of course, are pretty great since there are so few of us. I've gotten Son One three years in a row.
Something I appreciate about our family, even the little kids, is how much we love giving gifts -- even more than getting them. Son One has a particular knack for paying attention all year to the likes and wants of family members and comes up with something that fits that person to a "T". Since he's helping the girls buy things for the grown ups, his choices are on display in their gifts. I just love seeing what he comes up with for everyone.
Christmas is renewed through the eyes of children and our grand girls of course are full of anticipation and excitement and thankfully, gratitude, for the whole enterprise from start to finish. They are catching on to the family traditions around stockings, foods, candles, books, puzzles, games, gifts, etc. and it heartens me to see our holiday rituals taking root in a new generation.
So how am I doing this December 26th? Less exhausted than usual. More appreciative. Not depressed.
And almost obsessed with being so OVER Christmas that if Hub wasn't standing in my way, all the red and green and Santa-themed decorations would be put away by this afternoon. I don't mind the "winter" decor with some snow and sparkle, but the obvious Christmas stuff is annoying me now. As for the tree and outdoor garlands? I will leave those aglow until New Years, but January 2nd will be a busy day of packing it all away.The time seems to fly by so quickly that it will all barely be stowed in the attic than it will be time to drag it all out again. And in spite of my December 26th vows to leave most of it in bins and boxes next year, I'll again get caught in the spirit and out it will come to brighten our home and welcome our family and friends back into the fold of Christmas Magic 2019.
At least, that's the view from here...©
Tired Santa Photo Credit: www.pixabay.com
I love that spiral! I've never heard or seen one before. I'll bet by year three your grands will start appreciating it the way you'd like them to do.
ReplyDeleteYou and your husband have done well raising your sons and now are the pay off years. Let them and their wives take over the holiday chores you don't enjoy any longer without guilt.
I didn't turn on the TV or get dressed today until 3:00 and I only did then because I wanted to get the mail from the street. December 26th is unwind day for all of us.
It does feel like an absolutely "free zone" day. I've done a few chores; even put a few decorations away as a test to see if anyone even notices. LOL Had to run an errand and like you had to get dressed mid-afternoon!
ReplyDeleteThe spiral is a Winter Solstice thing. You walk into the center of the spiral with an unlit candle. At the center is generally some sort of stand or something with a lit votive or large candle on it from which you light the unlit candle you carry, then you carry the lit candle back the opposite way spiraling out again. It's to represent going into the darkness and bringing back the light. There are many ways of doing this. It's really beautiful on a dark, starry, snowy night -- but around here we are often battling drizzle and wind that puts the candles out. My friends use little handled-luminary baskets with small votives inside to protect the flame from the wind.
I think combining it with my birthday is the way to go...not competition with Christmas traditions already established.
A birthday spiral...brilliant.
ReplyDeleteDonna’s emergence into the world.
Return of the light.
Coincidence? I think not 💖