Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

 
With Christmas fast approaching I am getting more excited! I love Christmas! You know what "they" say…
 It’s the most wonderful time of the year.


Even as an adult I find it difficult to sleep on Christmas Eve.

Yuletide excitement is a potent caffeine, no matter your age.
~Carrie Latet

Even though there is not a lot of money around since the wedding, there are the traditions, the family time, the baking, the decorating, the shopping and the opportunity to give my kids more fabulous memories that gets me excited every year.

I think the first tradition of the season for us is the Santa Claus Parade. Its not great, we freeze our butts off, everyone gets a little grumpy, but when the kids get to collect a little candy, and see Santa, their faces light up and makes it worth it.


Then comes my hubby's family tradition of getting totally bundled up, getting a total of 14 people into numerous cars, driving all the way up to Columbia Valley, stomping around through the snow and cold to find that one perfect tree, chopping it down, getting it bundled, hauling it up the stairs, and putting it in the stand.

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree.
In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.
~Larry Wilde

From that moment, it seems like Christmas explodes in our house! All the decorations go up, the scent of a real tree brightens the house and we all get a little more excited.


The kids hang their stockings, we do up a gingerbread house, do a little more Christmas baking, make sure to watch every Christmas movie that exists numerous times in the month and enjoy all the happiness that is out there.



We take the time to go through all the kids toys and clothes with them to donate to other children that aren't so blessed to be spoiled like they are. Hubby and I make sure to go through our stuff as well cause there are people who can use a jacket that I haven’t worn to stay warm, or the extra scarf and gloves.

I am sure that I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round...as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely.
~Charles Dickens


My whole goal with regards to Christmas is to make happy memories for my children and instill in them that one of the best parts of Christmas is giving. Whether it is charitable, emotional, donating your time or physically giving a present, it is what makes the true spirit of Christmas real.