Bah! Humbug

There are many things I love about this season, but (and I do feel a bit sheepish about this), I do not look forward to decorating for Christmas. I am not generally averse to decorating, in fact it is rather a passion of mine, it's just that  I have my home decor the way I want it and it just bothers me to mix it all up, not to mention that I get claustrophobic when surrounded by the clutter of Christmas-sy stuff. (And just between you and shallow I, some of it can be a little tacky-oh I know, I know, I hear the rattling of chains in my dreams already.)

Then there's the insane over-commercialism of the whole affair which has me jaded by about December 2nd, but I think a lot of my hesitation to embrace all things festive, stems from having severe morning sickness for 2 Christmas seasons,(two boys born on July 28th meant that December heralded me being sick as a dog the year before each of their births), one Christmas when I felt like a zombified manatee,(the Christmas right after we had moved here, and I was pregnant (but of course),and super depressed and recovering along with the rest of the family, from two particularly virulent strains of flu), and one Christmas when I was on bedrest, and about to deliver a baby the size of 2nd grader.

So perhaps this is why the sights and smells of Christmas tend to bring on vague feelings of gagginess and discomfort. (It was at least 5 years after Benjamin was born that I did not vomit on cue upon getting a whiff of a scented pinecone). Rather unfortunate, but oh well, I suppose the kids were worth it.

I still remember the feelings of relief I had when I got to take all the Christmas paraphenalia down last year and how everything seemed so minimalistic and serene in comparison (and when one thinks of my home, "minimalist" does not really spring to mind, but comparatively....).

However, like so many other things..we do it for the children, and so once again, I feign enthusiasm, dig out the Mormon Tabernacle Choir White Christmas cassette, (the one featured on my favourite Christmas move: Mr. Kruger's Christmas,  and is now out of circulations-why why???), also the album which has been requisite for decorating since I was a small child, and proceed to deck the halls.  And once I start,I must say that I do really do enjoy this cozy process, and reminiscing over all the decorations we have acquired over the years and what they represent, it is amazing what you forget about in just one year. And then, there are not many more heart warming and magical sights for a parent then these:

My incredibly talented and sweet friend Jessica created this for me out of last year's decorating photos:

And you know, listening to carols and drinking hot chocolate by the light of the Christmas tree with your family is pretty wonderful too. See..I'm not a total Scrooge, maybe Marley....

Comments

[Carolyn]

I love the pictures. Your blog is to to funny LOL. It is good to know that like the grinch your heart grows more and more with the season. Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

[Amz]

I know what you mean about associating seasons and feelings...I get that way in the winter. Not because of the season, although that is reason enough, but because I always have my morning sickness then. All 4 of my May babies (Okay Jackson was April 23rd, but due in May) caused the sickies right when winter came on. So now when the seasons change to winter I get a general "ugggh" feeling - because I do not like winter AND because of my associations with it, DOUBLE Whammy!

[Amz]

I love those cozy pictures, by the way!

[Amz]

I love those cozy pictures, by the way!

[Jen]

Seriously, those pix are super cool. You must enlarge and frame. Especially the first one.

Too bad you feel that way about Christmas - Scrooge. I love this season. I do get down post Christmas, though. When the world just gets dark and ugly.

Enjoy

[Kirsty]

To Clarify:
I love Christmas, I just don't look forward to decorating because it evokes the pukey feelings. But once I get going, it's all good (it's like running the first mile...it often sucks, but then it gets fun ;)
I will agree, post-Christmas in these parts is grimmer then grim. Unless you are looking forward to a warm, sunny and super fun holiday in South Africa. In which case, it's awesome. (neener)