Monday, November 28, 2005

A Snowy Day Might Change My Mind

I think I've run out of holiday steam. Thanksgiving used it all up, and I'm pooped! And I think this just might be a good thing.

Still feeling the holiday momentum, we bought a Christmas tree over the weekend. Yes, it's fake. It's a pre-lit tree, and it's slim, so we'll be able to get it into the attic for storage. The tree is up, the lights are on, and there is a tree skirt at the bottom. And that's as far as we got. I'm seriously considering skipping the ornaments this year. Or maybe I'll just put candy canes and garland on it. I guess I'll have to put the star on top.

I started to get the wreaths out for the windows, when I realized that this year's home improvement project (we converted the garage to a family room) means that we need 4 more wreaths for the 4 new windows. Maybe I'll just put one wreath on the door, and leave it at that.

I don't feel like looking for the Christmas bears (I collect bears) or the multiple little holiday tchotchkes I put out every year. I leave candles in the windows all year long, and I'm starting to think that they're good enough to double as Christmas decor, too. I'm not even sure about hanging the stockings or baking cookies. Think of the freedom in January: no grumpy clean-up day, putting away decorations and vacuuming away the last vestiges of glitter, no sense of nakedness in a house devoid of its colorful Christmas raiment.

I'm not saying all of this in the spirit of Scrooge. I just want a simple holiday this year. I want to enjoy the season, go for frosty walks and sip mugs of hot chocolate, drive around and look at everyone else's holiday displays. I want to forgo the madness and just enjoy a simple, pleasant day with the people I love.

One thing could change my mind about all of this. A snowy day off could catapult my latent winter genes into high holiday gear, sending me into a decorating-baking-gift shopping frenzy. So the question is this: will we have snow before Christmas Eve? What's your bet?

7 comments:

Virginia Gal said...

You gotta read "Skipping Christmas" by John Grisham - I think you would be able to relate a little to the feelings of the main characters in the book.
As for snow, ummm it is nice and warm today so I'm not sure. I'd say its 50/50 right now.

Anonymous said...

O you say that now but get a little past Turkeys! and oyu will back into the swing! mommanator

Merci said...

Virginia Gal-
I read it! I was sorry they caved at the end. I don't have kids to chip away at my resolve, so we'll see how I do...

Mommanator-
I'm not giving it up entirely. Just don't want to go nuts this year! Too much else going on.

How are you???

Pax Romano said...

Merci,
In my humble opnion it is just to damn early to put Xmas stuff out! Give it at least another week or two and then just crack open a bottle of something good to drink, throw on a couple of holiday cds, and you will get into the spirit!

Zelda Parker said...

I'm in total agreement. So far just the candle lights in the windows. There a still a few remaining to be done in that department. With near constant home improvement projects and a protracted to-do list simple and easy sounds like the order of the day to me.

Virginia Gal said...

Merci - me too! I wished they hadn't caved!

Merci said...

Pax-
A little mulled wine, a little Christmas music - definitely on the agenda, whether I decorate or not!

Zelda-
Chocolate martinis and chocolate chip cookies! Yum!

Virginia Gal-
Perhaps I will be strong! We'll see...