"Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, please to put some money in the old man's hat. If you haven't got some money, a hae-penny will do. If you haven't got a hae-penny, then God bless you."
As I write this post, I have this song on my lips. (Love Kermit!) But I have a reason to celebrate. All my gifts are wrapped and sent to their recipients. Christmas cards have been sent out to family and friends. The oven is warming and the house is filled with the aroma of baked cookies, fudge and Mom's Rum Cake. (Yes! It's true! The rum is never gone. ;)
Two packages of goodies are on the way to two Marines in Afghanistan and one will be headed to my oldest son, who's stationed in the Persian Gulf, in the next few days. We're sending another box to my youngest son, stationed in the U.S., but unable to get home for Christmas. (Christmas without my boys will not be the same, but the least we can do is try to ease their loneliness while they are away from home.)
Signs of the holidays are all around us, in the music we hear, the products we buy, the fatigue in our bodies. Shoppers busily prepare for celebrations at home and at work. Roads are overcrowded. Shelves are going bare and prime retail merchandise is disappearing faster than you can say "Santa Claus." Yes, these are days to remember, days meant to be experienced in order to bask in the glory of Christmas morning, when all is still and peaceful, that is, after your oldest daughter has awakened everyone in the house at 6 a.m. to open presents.
The 6 a.m. wake-up call. One of our traditions, the earliest our oldest daughter, in her mad-cap zeal, could disturb us when she was little, especially after she'd try to get us up every hour after 3 a.m. Nowadays we regret ever making 6 a.m. a tradition in our household, because yes, even today, our lovely child is determined to wake us up for Christmas at the crack of dawn. That's enthusiasm, isn't it? Cute when witnessed in a child, not so cute in an adult, but it is what it is. Every family has its traditions, right? Love them or despise them, they are yours and they make your Christmas special.
What kinds of traditions do you keep every year?
What's the one thing you cannot do without at Christmas?
My family gets together for Christmast Eve. We eat swap gifts and then often go shopping. It started when a store in Moulton called Roden's was open until 12:00 on Christmas Eve with great deals. They have closed but we still seem to want to go out somewhere for a bit.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea, Stephanie!
ReplyDeleteWe exchange one gift on Christmas Eve, then open everything on Christmas Day. One thing we've started doing in the past couple of years is to go to a movie on Christmas Day, after we've rested up from our early morning wake-up call. (snicker) We've really enjoyed getting out together too. You'd be surprised how empty the theatres are and how quiet the day can be. But we're together and that's all that's ever mattered to me.
Funny, our son had to awakened on Christmas morning. His father and I would be up at dawn, anticipating him getting up to find Santa Claus presents. Nope, we had to wake him up to join us. So I guess our tradition is rousting our son from bed. LOL
ReplyDeleteI cannot do without turkey and dressing. It is the only thing that I must have for Christmas Day.
When I address Christmas cards, I say a little breath blessings prayer for the person/family.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love to wrap gifts. I set up a wrapping center in my closet room with everything I need--paper, ribbons, tags little ornaments and geegaws to hot glue on. (No, I can't be trusted with hot glue.) It's relaxing for me.
As to what I must have on Christmas Day--the stockings. I love stockings. We didn't do that for adults in my family but The Guy brought that tradition. The year we were engaged, his mother made me a stocking from the same fabric as my wedding dress.
Cheryl, I love turkey and dressing on Christmas Day! We used to have it growing up, but hubby wanted to create a different tradition for our kids by having turkey for Thanksgiving and ham for Christmas. We've been doing it this way ever since. But I miss my turkey. :(
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine having a child sleep in on Christmas morning. Better yet! Wish I could. LOL!
Oh, Jean! How wonderful to have a stocking made from your wedding dress material. I bet it's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow! We are so similar. I always make sure a blessing is in my cards, though this year I actually found cards that gave a similar blessing and I was elated. (Sorry to say that meant less work for me.)
And, thanks for the suggestion of creating a wrapping center in a bedroom. I did that this year and it's been a life saver!
3 AM ?! You poor woman, you!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry your family won't all be together on Christmas, but those care packages will be cherished, I'm sure.
My family tradition? Lotto scratch off tickets in the stockings. After presents are opened, we've got our nickels ready, scratching like mad to see who takes home the biggest prize. Hey, one year, I won $100!
Lotto tickets in stockings! What a fun idea, Joanna! I might have to try this. ;)
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