I didn’t just turn into a Grinch; I’ve always been a Grinch.
It is not the family and fellowship that makes me Grinchy; I love that part. But rather, it’s the consumerism and decorating pressure that feels burdensome.
From Thanksgiving on, many of us womenfolk begin to fret and worry. There is the worry of time running out, of disappointing someone at Christmas, of accumulating debt, the waste of consumption in burgeoning landfills. One year I wrapped all our presents in newspapers to alleviate some of my guilt.
To all the womenfolk out there: I feel you.
But it is Not All Bah Humbug
I love church at Christmas time, and I love family traditions.
Our tradition has been our annual Boxing Day Party, on December 26th, the day after Christmas. For 16 years family members have invited their friends over for one big multi-generational get together. All our past and present peers from near and far come to eat well, drink well, and let their hair down. And the tradition within the tradition is that right around 9 pm the whole party gathers around the piano for a choreographed sing-along of the 12 Days of Christmas.
Happy Holidays and New Year, everyone. I got a good feeling about 2023.
