We celebrate a pretty secular and abundant Christmas in my family. There are lots of cookies, and sneaking around to find/make/give presents. Mom often makes a Christmas bread. Friends and I try to host a Cookiefest — though damn pandemic is thwarting that!
We have a tree—now we usually cut a fir hybrid (Frasier x balsam maybe) at a local tree farm, though when I was a kid we’d go find a beautiful yet very scraggly fir in the National Forest. We probably weren’t supposed to! And it had to be small enough that two girls aged 8 and 9 (or a little older) could cut and carry it on our sled…
Our ornaments — in my house, my parents’ houses, my siblings’ hours — are a mix of things we’ve found in travels, or things made by various of us (these still get hung, even if they eventually get very, very tattered), or ornaments that belonged to grandparents 10, 20, 50 years ago or more. And lights! My otherwise darling ElderKid, abetted by his Dad, wrap the darn light strings around the trunk (I can make this effect with much less poking! but Noooo!) … which is really lovely, although removing them later (much much later) is, um, stabby. Nevertheless, I plan to put up more….
I like the mystery, the surprise, the generosity, the treats. I like the snow and the lights and the end of year and the ridiculousness of it all. I love English and German Christmas carols. I love the many many interpretations of Santa/Sinter Claus/Pere Noel/North. I love how we have a mouse named Xavier visit us each year from December 1 -24, who moves around at night when we sleep (sometimes in the company of Lego figures, carved ducks, or tins of spices) and leaves us notes in the morning. I love how this time of year has room in it for many people’s expressions of joy and faith, creativity and kindness.
May your own next several weeks, however you mark this time of year (or not!), be abundant, filled with music you love and silly giggles, rich in the smells and kindnesses you thrive on, joyful, expressive, and delightful. May your hopes be strengthened, your connections easy, and your stories neverending.