We are halfway through our quest for a Simple Christmas. To recap, our intentions were to limit our celebration of Christmas to a short period of time right at Christmas. We have seen, as many others have, that Christmas has become a month-long plus hoopla with little meaning except to keep us as busy as we can. We have got to where we celebrate for so many days and weeks that Christmas really means nothing more than the end to all of the celebrations.
Rick made a poignant observation a couple of nights ago. In these two weeks of preparing for Christmas, instead of celebrating it, we are feeling an increasing anticipation of Christmas Day itself. Rick pointed out that we have very distinct memories of our wedding day and the days that our children were born. We remember the specifics of those days much more than, say, Christmas Days of past. The reason is that even though the preparations were great, we did not celebrate our weddings for a month or more and we did not labor (thank God!) for a month or more when our children were born. For the month (or more) before those events, we prepared for them! We prepared for a specific event coming up! And when that day finally came we were so excited that we soaked in every moment!
And that's what we have been doing so far this Christmas season. Our kitchen table is covered with handmade ornaments we have been working on for the past week. The only decorations up in our house are our Charlie Brown Christmas tree, a Nativity set that the kids have been playing with and handmade decorations we have been working on in conjunction with Christmas books we have been reading daily. We are going this Saturday to pick out our tree, but aren't going to decorate it.
On December 23rd, we are going to make a whole night of it and decorate our tree, paint a new Nativity set as a family, do the last-minute preparations for Christmas. Then on Christmas Eve we will celebrate with family. And on Christmas Day we will do more of the same.
Each thing we are doing in preparation will not be able to be enjoyed until Christmas itself.
I have been excited and so stress free this past week! The little kids keep asking when we are going to have a Christmas tree. But, I guarantee they will remember it this year.
It's been a special Christmas season so far, because there hasn't actually been one yet. It's just been full of preparations. I personally feel like a bride-to-be or an expectant mother with my wedding date or due date quickly approaching. There is much to be done! But the day itself will be the day of true celebration!
You are right. I can remember those days well but Christmas comes and goes so quick for the month of celebrating it. Maybe it is also because it comes every year that people don't remember them to specifically. I love your simple Christmas and I would like to try it one year when the kids are a little older. I think it might help them understand what we would be doing. Your is wonderful and I am enjoying following it!
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