Bah Humbug
I don’t want to sound like a Scrooge here, but I have not been feeling particularly “in the spirit” this holiday season. Be it that I am trying to save my pennies, stop accumulating more stuff to get rid of later, pay off a gazillion dollars of debt or the frigid, grey weather that’s decided to stick around. I have managed to muster up a bit of something resemebling spirit for the sake of my family. We got a tree last week and she’s a beaut. Every morning X’s face lights up when we turn the lights on, and that’s enough for me right there.
O Chrismakkuh Tree
Something about this year just feels different to me. I thought back to all my Chrismakkuhs past and couldn’t remember one gift I had gotten. What I remembered were the moments. Caroling at the piano with my Sister, Aunt and Grammy. Lighting all the candles in the brown paper bags up and down our entire street with my Dad, and putting cookies and milk out for Santa on Chrismakkuh Eve. The air of excitement and general tone of happiness stays with me to this day.
Illuminating the streets
Like many things, as I got older, those warm mushy feelings were replaced with stress, chaos and boxing people out (elbows and all) for a good sale.
So very true.
This year, I am refusing to participate in the crazy.
I will not get stressed out getting that one. last. gift. Instead, I will choose to make memories with my boys. Besides our tree, we have wrapped presents and made chocolate covered pretzels for people around the neighborhood that we see on a daily basis. Rose, our mail lady, Our trash dudes, a few of the stores on Main Street that we hang at all the time, and some neighbors. Xavier doesnt know it yet, but he will be delivering the goods tomorrow by hand. A friend of mine, Nancy, at Family on Bikes posted a great idea that I plan to do this weekend as well: head to any large store (Target, Walmart, ToysRUs) and hit the layaway counter. Pay off a stranger’s account and make someone else’s spirit bright. How awesome is that?
So please excuse my lack of online presence lately, I am very busy over here making memories 
Your “new” celebrations sound wonderful, and do not sound Scroogish at all. It’s a new normal, for many very good reasons. We are in the same mode – very much a non-commercial, non-acquisition mode. It feels really good. I’m looking forward to the memories, not the stuff. Keep on, keeping on Our Spirited Life!
I guess it feels Scroogish b/c it’s so uncommon? Interesting…
We were literally just talking about the layaway thing and are heading to Target tomorrow! Funny that you mentioned it, too!
I love all your traditions. I semi-opted out of stressing, too. And when I found myself in BRU hunting down more of J’s favorite pacis (don’t judge), I successfully resisted the urge to buy more crap simply because the toys looked cool/fun/whatever. Go me!
Isn’t that pull so hard to ignore? Mike works in the Wanamaker Building and has to walk through Macys to get to work everyday. He was telling me how he saw masses of people rushing around chaotically and felt like he was missing a sale or like he needed to buy something just because everyone else was. Crazy!
Yay for layaways (and pacis)