What are wonderful about the holidays whether it is Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas are its traditions.
Some families have traditions which go back a 100 years or more, passed on thru the years and gently tweaked every generation or so.
I started a few traditions myself when I started doing Christmas – oh about 14 years ago. Now you may say, ‘How so Fundywriter, cause we know you is an old lady – you must have had lots and lots of Christmas’s.’
Well. Not so. You see I grew up a religiously repressed child. I have no fear of telling you these things as my mother never reads this blog, and even if she did I do not think she can throw a bible as far as Edmonton to Saint John, so I should be safe.
I was raised a Christian, just one of the Christian religions which did not celebrate Christmas. Well at least at home I did not.
I am not going to tell you which faith it was but I was not particularly true to it as I did all sorts of things you were not supposed to do…and Christmas was one of them.
I loved Christmas. The lights, the trees, the music and of course the presents. I use to save up all year (easy cause I was just as cheap as a child as I am now) and buy my friends, teachers and sadly myself presents. I would wait until my mother was not home and wrap up the gifts for others and hide them away in the storage shed.
Then, when we had school parties or concerts I would take my secret ‘Pagan’ hoard to school and pass out my presents to my friends. After the holidays I would drag out my new clothing or toys and show off my Christmas haul to everyone.
I remember one year I even sneaked off and took myself to the Jubilee Auditorium for Tchaikovsky’s ballet ‘Nutcracker Suite.’ Can’t remember what diabolical plot I hatched that time to get out of the house.
That way I looked to the outside world …. Like everyone else. I fancied myself a bit of a secret agent…this was highly sensitive work you understand. After all I was living a double life!
I loved it – I had tons of fun at Christmas, difference is I just had it alone. I also sang and performed in every Christmas concert and play – I was just the kid whose parents never showed up. I remember being sent to the school councilor who wanted to talk to me about the lack of support I was given at home.
I then felt a little guilty about that – because it made my mom look real bad….oh well.
Now don’t get all sad and sloppy for me….I knew the rules, I just chose not to live by them.
Although if my is hubby reading this…then yes. It – was – very – very – sad, and you should be ashamed of yourself for suppressing my exuberant Christmas spirit!
Once I left said religion of course the first thing I started doing was – you guessed it. I came out of the Yuletide closet – in a BIG WAY!
I am talking about a gloriously, outrageous, colorful orgy of Seasonal Sinning!!!
The biggest tree, ornaments, decorations, prezzies, eggnog, plum puddings and Sugar Plumb Fairies dancing on my head and all that. You name it, if it has to do with Christmas I do it and I LOVE IT!
But wouldn’t you know it hubby…because he has had Christmas all his life…is kind of ‘Bah Humbug’ about the whole thing. Isn’t that just how it goes? He just looks at me and shakes his head. He covertly steers me away from the decorations department when shopping. Shushes me when I hum carols, staring at me in bewilderment.
I use to put up my tree every December 1st. and did not take it down until the second week in January or when the tree died – which ever came first.
I have a little tradition about what I make to eat and what I drink when I decorate the tree. Then you have to sit for a long time and look at it with the lights off. Then I have to go outside and see what it looks like from the street. On and on…..
Well….old Scrooge McHubby put the kibosh on that! It’s too early blah, blah, blah. So we came to a compromise. Tree goes up second week in December or after the first snowfall.
This weekend I think we all in Saint John can agree we ah….got some snow? A nice Nor-Easter blew in dumping 18 or so centimeters of snow on us!
Ah….MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!!!!!
Now for some more AWESOME XMAS PREZZIES!!!!
The Lobstergram!
Got a New England native on the Christmas list this season who finds himself or herself land-locked with a new address? Certainly they’ll appreciate the delectable taste of home that a Lobster Gram can deliver. Surprise them with live lobsters shipped from Biddeford, Maine. The crustaceans will arrive via overnight delivery, along with any variety of other items including cheesecake, steaks, and chowders.
Well enjoy your gloriously, outrageous, colorful orgy of Seasonal Sinning! LOL!