I have had a rough weekend--no family or friends for the Holidays, AND we are on a very strict budget. I feel like I am letting The Jooj down by not having a spectacularly decorated home, cookies baking every minute, thousands of Christmas books, all that stuff. We don't even have a proper Nativity. I think, because we are so far away and have to really rely on our little family, that I want her to have such strong memories of the holiday seasons, and to really love our family unit. I am having a hard time separating the buying from the celebrating--like animated reindeer are going to affect her at 8 months old. So, I am going to make a list of the traditions and things that really mean October-January to me, and maybe you can help, too, and give me some ideas.
**We always had big family dinners on Christmas Eve. Is there a point to it if there are only three of us?
**We always went to Grandma's on Christmas Day. Can't do that, but we can call Nana, Granny, and CayCay or write letters and take pictures for them.
**We got to choose an ornament each year. Check.
**The Thorns always did a nativity pageant on Christmas Eve. We did it once or twice, and I think that we will dress The Jooj up like a sheep. (Although I rememebr Alli Thorn desperately wanting to be a bat one year.)
**Decorating the tree. Don't have a big one, but maybe we'll decorate a little tiny one...
**Cookies for Santa. Check. Even have a special plate
**We get a new stocking every year, and a new Santa. Check
**Chocolate Advent calendar--we would try and guess what the shape would be. We never got it right. Check.
**Christmas Lights. Check. (W is letting me get as Grizwaldy as I want this year, only because we are on a strict budget. That sneaky rat.)
**Grinch, Charlie Brown, and Rudolph. The Jooj watched The Grinch last night, and actually sang along to Tahoo Doray. She really did. Freaking genius.
THis is making me feel a little better. Maybe we can do it without me freaking out. It is like my heart has grown three sizes today...
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Holly Jolly
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10 comments:
Jen, I'm wondering, what do you remember about Christmas, 1976? Really? That much? That's how much Jooj will remember about Christmas, 2005. I know that it's a hard pill to swallow. ( i KNOW it is), but hang in there. Your desire for traditions is honorable, and you can adjust it to your situation.
Is that family dinner worth it? Absolutely. Make it yellow death (mac & cheese) this year, just for memories' sake. Or pancakes.
Write letters, call, send photos. Absolutely. But as for some of the other things -- simplify. I wish I would have done what Carina has done & taken advantage of not having to buy presents until they're old enough to remember.
Don't get me started on the tree.
And...at least you have lights. That is, I assume you have more than just the one string of blue lights.
What a fun, sexy time for you Christmas will be this year.
It's true, we buy no prezzies for El Guille. He's to little to know and I'd rather have a new sweater. His birthday is on the 23rd and there won't be any kind of crazy gift giving either (it was his decision to be born on that day instead of the far more reasonable Jan. 15th.)
I'm a reformed Chrisma-holic. I ground to a halt two years ago and didn't decorate at all. I'm starting in again with moderation. We're going to try a tree this year. I may even put up lights. But our kid is still not getting anything from us.
On a different topic, I hate being poor and having a budget. Jen, we are not budget people, and living by a budget just cramps our style. *sigh*
I forgot to tell you:
Really, what Jooj wants for Christmas is to eat your Christmas Cards. If you want to feel like a good mom, save your wrapping paper so she can eat that too.
Jen, here is my top 10 Johnson Xmas traditions you left out:
1. Falling Down Xmas Tree
2. Turkey ala Grizwald at Sharlene's
3. Uncle Buddy's Motorhome
4. Grandma Fern's Beer Can Hats
5. Cranberry Crud (ugh!)
6. Grandma Doris' 3 Bean Salad (yum!)
7. The Great Coo-Coo Clock Disaster
8. Collectable Hallmark Ornaments (Get 2--Sure to appreciate in value!)
9.Sharlene's singing machine
10. Michael thanking Jesus H. Christ for his blessings in Sacrament Meeting
Didn't Cousin Mike also bear his testimony of Jesus Christ, Superstar?
Didn't Cousin Mike also bear his testimony of Jesus Christ, Superstar?
Jen really wants to know
Jen, I made a nativity in my sculpting class that I would be glad to send you. It has a baby Jesus and everything.
I found your blog through Jenny Eckton and feel your pain as my husband will be gone for Christmas so me and the 21-month old will be left to open presents alone. I'm bummed, but then I thought I'll always remember THIS particular Christmas for that reason so I say do anything you want and skip all the stuff you don't want! We're going to party, just the two of us until we go see family. :-)
The only reason I bough my 8 month old anything is so the other kids won't freak out on Christmas 'morn. . .
I am queen of "the budget" and it totally cramps my style--I relate. I set a limit for each kid and shop early for sales. I'm kinda a freak about it. We do a lot of "driving around to look at Christmas lights" as a holiday tradition and we read a Christmas book everynight in December.
We used to do "TRAX" where we'd park and take the train into the city and see the lights at Temple Square and get a Cinnabon at the mall across the street, but Topher and I have killed that one. What was once a "fun tradition" has turned into "a crowded train ride full of grumpy people in the cold wrestling four kids under seven." Stay home.
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