Christmas Mayhem

Why do we put ourselves through this every year?  Decorating for days, spending hours wrapping gifts, writing in and addressing Christmas cards, and baking endless treats that make our clothes too tight.  Basically, because it's tradition.  Unfortunately, it takes our focus off the real reason for the season--the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Every year, I say I'm going to make everything more simple so I'm not so frazzled.  I was going to get our Christmas cards done last summer.  We took our picture when everyone was home for Christmas last year.  I even had the cards to put the picture in so I could address them in July.  Of course, it didn't happen.  So once again, I'm getting them out at the eleventh hour.  Oh, the best laid plans of mice and men.....

Next year.

Lights, Please!

I'm so thankful to have a husband who's a good sport.  Every year, I ask him to climb into the attic and get the wreath down for my car.  Then he gets out the wire ties and attaches it to the grill (of my car) for me.  He never complains or makes a fuss about it.  His reward--chocolate chip cookies.  (See post from 2/7/11 for recipe.)

I've done the wreath on my car since the kids were in middle school.  I remember that because they complained about how embarrassing it was when I would pick them up.  I've never figured out why they would be embarrassed about it.  A wreath is way more classy than reindeer antlers and a Rudolph nose.

The only thing I haven't figured out yet is how to light it.  Last year, I saw a pick-up truck with a lit wreath.  Now that would be the ultimate.

Memories

Decorating the Christmas tree is more than just hanging ornaments. It's a walk down memory lane, reminiscing about the years since my husband and I have been married. Of course, we have a "First Christmas Together", as well as, three "Baby's First Christmas" ornaments. My favorites are the handmade ornaments my children made when they were in elementary and preschool. The sequins have since fallen off the felt Christmas trees and bells, but I still hang them up.

We also have ornaments from vacations--a painted egg from Salzburg, Austria, an ornament from a White House tour, a painted glass ball from Sunriver, Oregon, and so on.

I have the ornaments my sister-in-law had my nieces pick out for me when they were toddlers--Kim picked an angel and Lindsay chose Kermit the frog.

My most recent "memory" ornament is the paw print of our little Border Terrier, Molly. The impression was made when we had her put down. Even though it makes me sad to hang it, it also brings back the great memories I have of her.

I always feel nostalgic when decorating the tree. I wish for those days when the kids were young and at home. When I was a child, I counted down the days until Christmas. Now I count down the days until my children are all home.