I must confess: I’ve not been in the holiday spirit AT ALL this month. I’ve been the queen of not enjoying celebration. I dial the radio away from Christmas music. I proposed not having a tree at all this year. It all just seemed too much, too involved, too wearing to contemplate doing it again. And it will all have to be put away at New Year’s and that’s tiring too! Bah, hum-bug! I see other people having a wonderful time, dressing up, handing out presents, making merry, and I just feel sad.
Now, before you get all sad yourself and turn away… at this writing, the tree is up, the stockings are hung, the garland is twined, the wreaths are on the door. I’ve addressed half a dozen cards. I’ve done all my shopping, except for a gift for MyMerman. I even made a batch of Christmas cookies last night and was bad enough to eat them for breakfast this morning. If this isn’t Christmas spirit, it’s pretty dang close. All I need is some Christmas lingerie, some spiked hot chocolate, the Christmas giftie I know is under the tree (because I saw him tell the girl to wrap it) and MyMan back at home from the wilds of his weekly travels.
I wish I had more time to make a better post, but there are presents to wrap and get in the mail before the lingerie and hot chocolate can come out. But I’m also scratching my head and wondering how I managed to move from “cancel Christmas” to “how much can I get done by…?” and “oh wouldn’t it be fun if?”
So tell me, friends: How do you get yourself to move from the supreme pout to the willing embrace of a task that has you scared and running? Not just Christmas, but any job – like writing? How do you pin yourself down and do the work when you would really rather be out doing almost anything else?
(ps, I do not know this pouting child, she was a lucky find in a google search and I wish her the very happiest Christmas ever. All the other photos in her family’s flickr stream show her as a happy little girl. The photo was marked ‘public’ and I used it. Do we want a post on privacy here?)
I’m not really in the Xmas spirit this year either, which is very odd because I’m usually a Xmas ho. I wouldn’t say I’m being grinchy – I am listening to Xmas music (except Xmas Shoes!) and wearing Xmas t-shirts and such.
But now that I’m home with my family in PA maybe a little more Xmas magic is seeping in. I did wrap some presents last night and helped my mom make fudge. Yum! So hopefully we will all turn around and have wonderful holidays!
Yes, Kerri, I know I’ll feel better once people start rolling in. I spent the evening wrapping gifts to be shipped to Vermont, and that felt good. Tomorrow I’ve already called in late at work, so these packages can get an early start on Santa’s sleigh.
I’ve had a difficult time finding the Christmas spirit the past few years, too. It’s always so hectic. I try to find the magic but with the girls in their late teens and begging for ideas for them (and hubby) it’s so difficult to find just the right thing for them.
We used to go look at lights, go see the Nutcracker (local), and watch all our favorite holiday movies. (I still have yet to sit down and watch my favorite “Scrooge” (Albert Finney-1970’s muscial). We did our Muppet Christmas Carol to kick things off but again–the time has gone by fast. Maybe once the gifts are wrapped under the tree and house is cleaned I can feel festive.
“Where are you Christmas?”
But hope everyone has a Merry Christmas though. 🙂
Okay, my honesty has been a major downer. Or is it a breath of fresh air to be honest? Can’t figure. I did feel pretty good at work today, as all the moms were baking for the faculty and we were swimming in sweets all day…. Maybe if you baked up a batch of your favorite Christmas cookies you’d feel more festive? You’d certainly have the girls looking interested – teenagers will eat anything.
Well, as I’ve said before, I chose not to do the traditional Christmas thing this year – and am on vacation during the holidays. What is surprising me though is that I’m not ‘missing’ the usual Christmas goings on.
Now when you raised the question about writing and how do I ‘get into the writing spirit’ when I’m not in the mood – that made me think how can I do a better job of making certain the writing gets done. It is so easy for an entire day to slip by and unless I make specific plans the important stuff just doesn’t get done. Good post Mermaid Susan. And thanks for reminding me that making a commitment (and going through the routine) is key because sooner or later the spirit will hit you.
Exactly — I’ve let yet another day slip by today, but for the good cause of wrapping the Vermont shipment. Tomorrow will be different! You’re right – if I’m not making time to be present, I won’t be present to receive the gift. Thank you!
Susan,
I don’t have any brilliant answers, but I’m wishing you a wonderful holiday! Enjoy this time with your family, and try not to stress about the little things! (Easier said than done, I know.)
Briefly response in this last day of the shopping season: like. I am so “like” with all the mermaids. Have the best holiday ever, y’all.
Susan, that is such a good question. I don’t know that there’s anything I do in particular. I think there is a whole army of guardian angels or fairy godmothers out there who team up and kick us in the rear, make something happen, to get us out of our funk. However, I will say that throwing on some really loud Rihanna and then pretending i’m in concert at my empty house is a great mood lifter/ motivator!