Getting ready for Christmas!

I've always been really good about not celebrating Christmas before Thanksgiving, and have even been annoyed with those who do.  But this year has been different for me for many reasons.

First, Thanksgivings in general have been difficult since my father-in-law died the night before Thanksgiving a few years ago.  

Second, I have found myself listen to Christmas music over the radio,because it's the only thing uplifting on the radio. I usually listen to a lot of news and talk radio, a spend the rest of the day depressed about what I am hearing. 

Third, I finally started my Christmas projects before Thanksgiving. Our family has a tradition on giving homemade gifts.  It started when I was in High School and our family visited Orchard House, home of Louisa May Alcott while on vacation in New England. During the tour they talked about how instead of giving bought gifts the sisters would give each other homemade gifts or did special things for each other and how much more meaningful it was. After that my mom somehow talked us all into starting this new tradition.  We've had some better years than others.  The first year we did this, my dad wanting to set a good example, traveled to Layton every spare minute he  had to make a special present for each of us in his uncles workshop.  I remember a lot of tears that year as we all felt my Fathers love for us in his gifts.  Since then we have had many memorable Christmas mornings, full of tears and love. Not all the presents are good, memorable or even finished, but even a letter seems to be more meaningful than a store bought gift. My favorite part of the tradition is that I find myself more excited on Christmas Eve to give my gifts than I am to see what I am getting. Every year I tell myself that I am going to start my projects early so I can enjoy Christmas instead of stressing myself out.  It isn't easy completing a present for all of my sibling and spouses.  This year I finally did it. Yesterday I finished my presents for all the girls. The boys will have to wait till after Thanksgiving, but at least I've started them. 

Back to my original thoughts, working on my presents has really got me into the Christmas spirit. Especially because I told myself it was okay to listen to Christmas music while making my presents.  

I feel like a little kid looking forward to all our Christmas traditions.

- Waking up way to early to shop on black friday.

- Putting up the many Santa's I've collected over the years from the DI.

- Spending a week with my mom and sisters in our chocolate factory, and making myself sick from eating way to many mint truffles and rum balls.

- Cutting down a tree a Schuster Creek.

- Hearing my kids sing carols.

- Drinking eggnog. 

- Opening up the twelve days of Christmas.

- Lots of family parties, and staying up way to late playing games.

- Fighting over white elephant gifts.

- Dressing my girls up in cute Christmas dresses.

- Taking Lydia to the Nutcracker.

- Hearing a bell ring when I open my parents door.

- Finding things to put in my siblings socks.

- Brunch with Santa.

- Skating with Santa.

- Eating more chocolates.

- Christmas Eve bowling.

- Making the kids act out the nativity.

- Opening new PJ's.

- Maryann's sticky rolls and breakfast casserole on Christmas morning.

- King Crab and creme brulee Christmas night. 

Sorry to anyone who doesn't like Christmas being mentioned before Thanksgiving. Maybe next year I will behave, for now I'll sleep at night with sugar plums dancing in my head.