Arghhh....it's starting already. Tonight driving home from some errands I spotted the first Christmas decorations on houses in the neighborhood. Before Thanksgiving. Bah!
I'm a bit of a Scrooge about Christmas. On several levels. I hate the commercialization of the holiday. I hate the materialism. I hate that things have to start earlier and earlier each year. I hate that what was a religious holiday has been co-opted and then foisted on the world in a way the makes it devoid of its original meaning. I hate the way a Christian feast day (and not the most important one at that) is promoted as THE HOLIDAY OF THE YEAR for everyone regardless of their religious tradition. I hate pseudo-Christmas music (Jingle Bells is NOT a Christmas song. I'm just saying) and Christmas carols played non-stop beginning at Halloween.
All that is the macro level of my Scroogishness...
On the micro-level, the personal level, I have a history of stressful Christmases...Christmases where tFoMC was at sea (three in a row) and I had to do it all on my own. Christmases after we separated when I wasn't sure how I was going to afford even modest presents for the kids, and I still had to do it on my own--it always worked out, but it was always stressful. Christmases when I had to share the kids with their dad, including the Christmas I spent all alone all day because my car needed an unexpected repair the day I was supposed to go away, and there was an ice storm (in Florida!) the next day. And there were the Christmases I spent with my parents (because isn't Christmas the quintessential family time?) each marked by at least one huge blow up with my mom that left me feeling awful.
I'm trying to get over my Christmas baggage, to adopt a new model of Christmas. I don't go "home" for Christmas any more, even though staying away just adds to my status as the blacksheep in my family. I've minimized the whole gift giving routine--I enjoy buying gifts when there is less pressure about doing so. I try to embrace Advent as a season--I have Advent calendars and an Advent wreath, and I continue my tradition of not putting up tree until Dec. 22 or so. I enjoy the memories involved with our large collection of Christmas ornaments--one bought for each child for each year, perhaps my favorite family tradition. This year for the first time in a while I will have a large family gathering at my house, and because Christmas Eve is on Sunday (the worst possible day for clergy), some of them will take over the cooking chores. I'm looking forward to it.
Nonetheless this time of year, when all the hoopla starts I get cranky. The stores are full of Christmas stuff, the decorations are sprouting, the bad music has started, and it's not Thanksgiving yet. Sigh.....
4 comments:
I'm finding the decorations very discouraging. I saw a Boy Scout troop selling wreaths yesterday. Not taking orders. Selling actual wreaths. It was November 18th. Does Christmas end on the 12th of December or something? I didn't get the memo. How long do people think real wreaths and trees can last?
I am the obnoxious person in all the stores saying really loudly to my kids "I don't know WHY there are Christmas decorations, it's not Christmastime yet!"
I do enjoy Christmas, however, it was the one holiday that wasn't very stressful in my family as it clearly belonged to my mom. So my sister and I never had to travel, or argue on who went where when, or deal with my dad's family. And as my mom was an only child, so Christmas was usually just my mom, my sister, and I, sometime my grandfather.
I hope your Christmas goes smoothly this year, and is as stress-free as it can be, based on the timing. And enjoy having others cook for you!
I agree on the whole Christmas decorations and music in the stores. It is WAY too early. I do love Christmas though. I don't really know why. It just feels like a special, fun time of year.
And yes, Mr. LS and I are already talking about what meals we want to cook when we all come to your house for Christmas. We're really looking forward to it! Now just get your chimney cleaned!
Hm, I was subjected to the ninth circle of hell in the van that drove me from O'Hare airport to the hotel last Saturday: the driver had on a muzak station that played nothing but ticky-tacky versions of 'holiday songs' such as 'I saw Santa kissing Mommy under the Christmas tree.' Gag me with a spoon. The driver may have been competent but his choice of radio station was pathetic.
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