‘It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go…’
Written on December 1, 2011 by
“May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;
The spirit of Christmas which is peace;
The heart of Christmas which is love.”
written by Ada V. Hendricks
There is no snow on the ground, but somehow you can smell Christmas in the air. It is that ‘tween‘ time wherein we have given thanks, and stuffed ourselves full of our loving family, wonderful friends and great food (finally, finished all those yummy leftovers). Now we hunt for the perfect gifts to give, and ways to lose those Thanksgiving pounds. (Just so we can put them back on without excessive guilt during the up and coming holidays.)
I am beginning to believe it is instinct, a child just knows Christmas is coming and with that comes gifts. This is even before they even understand the tales of Santa Claus. My 2 3/4 year old granddaughter knows she wants to express what she would like to have, a special little toy she has seen on tv, but has no clue as to why it is okay to ask for it now. It is heart melting the way she says “LaLa, please I like to have that toys, Lala,” (of course she can have it–please goes along way, I am a mush), but it came out so natural, no excitement about Santa coming.
The smells of cinnamon, pine, vanilla, pumpkin pie, egg nog, and bayberry are in the air. (Via candles, oils, and sprays – for this asthmatic it is inhaler in hand at all times, but it does smell oh so good.) Holiday menus are in the planning, guests invited, seating arrangements are planned (the helpers sit on the open side) and which oven will have what cooking in it.
‘Season’s Greeting’ cards need to be completed, selecting wrapping paper and gift tags are on the same list of “to do’s“. Set a day aside to accomplish the bulk of gift shopping, (This is a great day to do that exercise you’ve been getting to, and work off those pounds. Park the car as far away as possible and walk it, use steps not elevators, climb the escalator, and most of all rush, rush, rush =brisk heart pumping walking. Who says we don’t work out? At least once a year!) There is a trip to the Butcher in the near future, the bakery, and at least two trips to the grocery store involved in getting the Holiday menu together. Wrap the presents, last minute gifts to be gotten, cooking, and cleaning; the pressure, the thrill, excitement and anxiety, all to create the perfect time of the year.
Weeks of planning and preparation over in a day, but it is the smiles that warm our hearts. The love that feeds our souls. They are the memories that stay with us a lifetime, and get us over the hurdles and bumps that life serves us from time to time.
Happy Holidays To Everyone!
This is dedicated to all my family and friends, with love always!