Keeping the Christmas Spirit

I started early this year with my Christmas shopping, and really have done pretty well, but all of the sudden this week I found myself starting to panic a little. It’s easy to fall into feelings of “oh no, I don’t have anything for them” or “Now I don’t know if they’ll like that” etc, especially with the big day only 5 days away. Last year Mike and I had just moved into our new house, and were broke and exhausted, and managed to patch together a barely respectable showing in the gift giving department.

This year we’ve been able to find nicer and more thoughtful gifts for our family and ourselves (speaking from my end, anyway, though I know Mike has been working mysteriously on something for a month now). For me Christmas is all about family, and giving, and showing that you care for each other. In the end I know that whatever we get for our families and each other it’ll be a wonderful Christmas full of warm fuzzy feelings.

So I think my problem is going into stores, and being instantly bombarded with everyone else’s feelings of “AGH!” as they all rush around grabbing things wondering outloud “but i just don’t know if they’ll like this!” So no more stores. Hehe. Unless i have to, and then I’m humming cheerful Christmas music to myself.

Also helping me keep the right attitude is the snow floating down in beautiful fluffy flakes this morning. I LOVE a white Christmas. It’s the way it should be. And then there’s more chance for my favorite outdoor winter activity, sledding!

Also, last night Mike and I watched A Charlie Brown Christmas. I know this will shock some people (though maybe not some who know about my childhood) but that was the first time I’d seen it in it’s entirety. It was wonderful to be a part of that Christmas tradition, especially after I’ve been listening to the soundtrack for 2 weeks, and had listened to an analyses on NPR about it’s timeless appeal.

So here’s to everyone out there trying to keep the Christmas spirit - remember what Christmas means to you, and keep that in mind while you brave stores and send out belated Christmas cards (me, agh).

And eat lots of Christmas chocolate!