All I Want For Christmas...
Posted: Saturday, December 10, 2011
by Jean Horst
All I want for Christmas is... well, Christmas.
Yeah, that doesn't really make any sense, I know. So, I shall endeavor to explain. I don't need any gifts, I don't really even have a list of "wants". Just accumulating more "stuff" is not something I aspire to these days, in fact, I've been pretty actively downsizing and decluttering for over a year now. However, I do really enjoy the Christmas season, so what I really want for Christmas is "Christmas".
I want to go to a couple of holiday parties at friends homes to eat some and drink some and talk a lot more. I want to wear my silly, light-up Chrismas shirt with gaudy, matching earrings to at least one of them. I want to exchange stories about their year and wish them a wonderful New Year.
I want to go shopping and find something unexpectedly perfect for that certain someone on my list (you know who you are) who is so hard to find a present for.
I want to go to the mailbox and find Christmas cards there from friends I never get to see because they live in places far away. I even want to read a couple of those annoyingly long family newsletters - it's part of Christmas, after all!
I want to go to the mall and stand in some ridiculously long line to buy something just so I can be super polite to the people waiting with me. I want to entertain some mom's overly tired youngster so she can make it to the register without losing her marbles since she's been shopping all day with kids in tow. I want to smile and say, "Merry Christmas" to someone who's rude to me in the same crowded mall. It's Christmas, it's part of the deal, and I can't say I don't feel just a big smug about having more of the seasonal spirit then they do. Makes me petty, but I'm getting what I want for Christmas.
I want to put money in a couple of those red kettles and smile big at the poor, freezing soul who is spending part of their holidays standing next to it ringing a bell while people mostly ignore them all day long. At some point during this season, I want to look at my husband and in my best Jacob Marley-from-the-grave voice say, "Business??? Mankind was my business!!"
I want to drag pillows and blankets from the beds to the living room floor so my boys can sleep under the Christmas tree which they do every Christmas Eve (sorry, we never had "Santa" traditions), then when they are awake and ready to go and I have my coffee in my hand, we tear into the presents. Then we'll have our Christmas Day family breakfast and it will be Christmas. And I will have gotten exactly what I wanted: Christmas for Christmas.
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Top-level comments on this article: (8 total)You find the definition of Christmas very interesting Jean. May you and your family have a joyous holiday this year and the years to come. "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"Thank you, David. Merry Christmas to you and all of your family!
Christmas, just like my mom used to haveAwww Jack, thanks. I figure I've got a couple of years left at this and I'll be adjusting what Christmas means to me because my life will change and the routines and traditions will change and grow to accommodate it all. I'll check back in a couple of years, ok? :)
Jean,
A practical way to spend Christmas. It is what the season is all about. Merry Christmas to you and yours.Thank you for reading and commenting!
My wife, Joyce Dunn was a fan of yours. She passed away this summer. Her outlooks on Christmas were like yours. I know she could have written a very similar article. Thank you for writing it. Jim DunnDear Jim, My sincerest condolences on the recent loss of your wife. Her presence is sorely missed here. I am very touched and honored that you would compare our writings.Thank you so much. I hope your holidays are sweet with memories of good times.
As always, it seems that you have articulated well the 'right of things'.As always, thanks Bing!
Hi Jean.
I know some people wouldn't agree with your "definition" of Christmas, but I heartily do! Sounds just about perfect.
Thanks!
Hugs,
DianneThank you, Diane! You can send me a long Christmas letter if you want! :)Golly! And I tried so hard to keep it short this year. :)
What a brilliant Christmas wish, Jean, and a great vision of Christmases past and future, you've made me feel all warm and fuzzy!Perfect. Mission accomplished. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours!Thanks, and the same to you and yours :) Lots of love
How I love this woman!what a nice expression of feelings. I am in the process of being so. I think I will do this too.
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