In the Spirit

The month of December is filled with the magic of Christmas, and that includes the magic of knowing that we can make the smallest little changes around the house or in our routine, and it is received with raucous exclamations of joy from our little ones.  The stockings were hung, and everyone acted as though they were already brimming with goodies.  The cheering of “Christmas socks!  Christmas socks over the fireplace!!!” was the sound we awoke to the next morning. 

The kids helped us pick out the Christmas tree; playing amidst the pre-cut forest with their sippy cups full of hot chocolate in hand.  And that tree stood undecorated in the living room for almost a week before we trimmed it, but when we finally got around to stringing the lights and hanging our ornaments, it came to life.  And when the kiddies awoke to the finished spectacle the next morning, they greeted that tree like it was an entirely different creature.  Like it was magic.  And while in years to come, we will probably want to have their participation in decorating the tree, seeing their surprise and glee made this year one no less worth remembering.

 

Our process of fulfilling our annual holiday traditions has begun to unfold.  We sent out our Christmas cards, and are still even in the process of sending out a couple more every week, as we remember names and discover new addresses.  I think they turned out lovely this year. :) 

And we didn’t forget to bake the ceremonial 300 cookies either; ritually spending the entire weekend mixing, rolling, dipping, cutting, baking, decorating, and bagging the Sugars and Gingers, as we refer to them (actually Jake has his own humorous name for these – and I can’t write it because it just doesn’t look right).  Who would like to wager a guess as to what that name would be?

The work was well worth it, because it was truly a labor of love.  It was an excuse to drop by unexpectedly at friends’ and neighbors’ homes to chat and wish them a happy holiday.  It can be one of the few ways that we tell some people how much we appreciate them each year.  It is a way of connecting our home to those of others – to let them know that they are in our thoughts even if we may not see them again till February.  And they were yummy… and that is reason enough too.

  

I forget how much time and energy is required to create the beauty of the holidays.  But that is the most wonderful part of it all.  That we do put our time into the things that matter – the simple things, the family moments, the charming and the splendid.  So much time goes into all of this that we have none left for the things that shouldn’t consume our time.  Sorry dry cleaning, you’ll have to wait till next month.  I have cookies to deliver and Christmas lights to gaze upon in wonderment with my loves.

Do tell, what are some of your favorite traditions for this most special season?