Christmas Decorations
We've begun the decorating process for Christmas. I already feel behind this season!! Last year, we decorated the day before Thanksgiving, but we were out of town this year, so it still isn't finished. It seems like everyone around me is already done - real tree and all.
I think you lose all concept of time once you're out of school. At least I do. There's no summer break or fall break, let alone that nice long Christmas vacation and Spring Break. How else do you mark time? There's really little differentiation from one season to the next, especially when you're not getting snow.
Anyway, it's November 30th, and I already feel like December is almost over. The calendar is packed and we're still trying to jam more in! But, it's my absolute most favorite time of year. It brings back memories of my freshman year of college with fake snow sprayed on the dorm window and that sweet feeling of finishing your first college finals and getting to go home...getting married...Christmas concerts... And then the memories from way back, growing up: dust-busting pine needles (funny that's the first thing that comes to mind), watering the tree, setting up the train and giving my people without arms rides around the living room, my grandparents' incredible light display, opening presents on Christmas morning. Oh, and Johnny Mathis. I love Johnny Mathis Christmas music. I heard one of his songs on the radio during my lunch break today and all of a sudden, I was in pajamas with my family.
Okay, I'm back. I had to go grab the CD...now "The Sounds of Christmas" is playing..."laughing sounds of girls and boys, playing with their Christmas toys..."
I gave crummy gifts when I was little. I think I gave about ten glue guns one year. I even have a picture somewhere of my sister smiling while she proudly displays her new craft tool. If I'm not mistaken, that was the year I did all of my shopping at Joann Fabrics. I also got a friend one of those wooden things that hooks on your doorknob and little balls hit strings and make some sort of an excuse for a musical noise when you open the door. They weren't as cool as the gifts other kids were giving, but at least I bought them all with my own money. Fifty cents a week doesn't buy a ton, but it's the thought that counts, right? Try telling that to a fellow eleven-year-old!
I like unpacking the decorations every year. Opening some of them up is like finding a ten in the pocket of your winter coat the first time you put it on for the season. Over the course of eleven months, you forget the treasures that are stowed away. We have some good decorations that we got as wedding presents. My favorite decoration is a little plastic Christmas tree on a white pedastal that my Grandma gave me when I was little. There's a switch that turns on about seven big red lights. It's only a few inches tall, but a vivid memory from growing up. I think I always left it at her house and it was my special decoration there for when I came to visit. The lights don't work now and it stays at my house because she's not here anymore...it's pretty special to pull that out every year. One of those other treasures that I pulled out are a set of Santa salt and pepper shakers, with a hand-written "s" and "p" on the respective hats. They used to go on my other grandparents' table when the family came over for the big Christmas celebration.
That said, I better get back to decorating. Hopefully you're pulling a few tens out of your pocket as you decorate this year, too...
I think you lose all concept of time once you're out of school. At least I do. There's no summer break or fall break, let alone that nice long Christmas vacation and Spring Break. How else do you mark time? There's really little differentiation from one season to the next, especially when you're not getting snow.
Anyway, it's November 30th, and I already feel like December is almost over. The calendar is packed and we're still trying to jam more in! But, it's my absolute most favorite time of year. It brings back memories of my freshman year of college with fake snow sprayed on the dorm window and that sweet feeling of finishing your first college finals and getting to go home...getting married...Christmas concerts... And then the memories from way back, growing up: dust-busting pine needles (funny that's the first thing that comes to mind), watering the tree, setting up the train and giving my people without arms rides around the living room, my grandparents' incredible light display, opening presents on Christmas morning. Oh, and Johnny Mathis. I love Johnny Mathis Christmas music. I heard one of his songs on the radio during my lunch break today and all of a sudden, I was in pajamas with my family.
Okay, I'm back. I had to go grab the CD...now "The Sounds of Christmas" is playing..."laughing sounds of girls and boys, playing with their Christmas toys..."
I gave crummy gifts when I was little. I think I gave about ten glue guns one year. I even have a picture somewhere of my sister smiling while she proudly displays her new craft tool. If I'm not mistaken, that was the year I did all of my shopping at Joann Fabrics. I also got a friend one of those wooden things that hooks on your doorknob and little balls hit strings and make some sort of an excuse for a musical noise when you open the door. They weren't as cool as the gifts other kids were giving, but at least I bought them all with my own money. Fifty cents a week doesn't buy a ton, but it's the thought that counts, right? Try telling that to a fellow eleven-year-old!
I like unpacking the decorations every year. Opening some of them up is like finding a ten in the pocket of your winter coat the first time you put it on for the season. Over the course of eleven months, you forget the treasures that are stowed away. We have some good decorations that we got as wedding presents. My favorite decoration is a little plastic Christmas tree on a white pedastal that my Grandma gave me when I was little. There's a switch that turns on about seven big red lights. It's only a few inches tall, but a vivid memory from growing up. I think I always left it at her house and it was my special decoration there for when I came to visit. The lights don't work now and it stays at my house because she's not here anymore...it's pretty special to pull that out every year. One of those other treasures that I pulled out are a set of Santa salt and pepper shakers, with a hand-written "s" and "p" on the respective hats. They used to go on my other grandparents' table when the family came over for the big Christmas celebration.
That said, I better get back to decorating. Hopefully you're pulling a few tens out of your pocket as you decorate this year, too...
posted by Joy at
7:41 PM
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