We are staying home for Christmas this year. Between significant anniversaries, family transitions, and Christmastime funerals,* we have traveled for entirely too many years running. It is wonderful to be with family, but 1500 miles of driving, a week away from home, and the inevitable accompanying colds and flu get to be a little much after a while.
Staying home means having the time to decorate the house, send cards, cook, and generally enjoy the season, at least in theory. We did manage to decorate this year, and we have definitely been enjoying the season. Christmas at home virtually guarantees a stress-free holiday.
I'm sure we will be back on the road next year. Which helps me appreciate this week even more. And no matter what holiday (or none) you celebrate at this time of year, the turning of the year has its own weird magic. With the dead of winter staring us in the face, it's a natural time to look forward and back at the same time.
Whether you are fighting the holiday rush, fighting over the last glass of wine at the family gathering, or nestled snug in your home, have a Merry and Happy, and whatever else you can manage.
* Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Have a lovely time yourself xxx
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas! My holidays got a lot better when i shed expectations from others. i still love them. i still call them. i still send them cards and pictures. but i got a lot of the good stuff back....
ReplyDeleteFrom halfway around the world, with my kids. It is good...
MERRY CHRISTMAS krowe. We returned from Christmas Eve mass (I was lector). The music was lovely. Watched 'Scrooge' with brandy in the eggnog. Hard not to miss Be (Excy's dad)l, who was usually with us this time of year...
ReplyDeleteAll the stress of traveling following the dead-run that is preparation for the holidays really makes it hard to just relax and enjoy them. And after all, aren't they meant to be enjoyed? I hope you and your loved ones had a nice Christmas. The house looks very nice. You were more inspired to deal with Christmas lights than I was this year.
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