“Christmas.” Just saying the word gets me all worked up—and I mean that in a good way! We don’t all see this holiday the same way. Whether we love it or not, we feel that madness inside us or all around us. And here, it’s us adults who feel this way; for our kids, it’s magic—it’s Santa Claus dressed in his beautiful red suit with his beard, which, truth be told, isn’t always as full as it used to be each year, but who lights up little sparks in our little ones’ eyes with piles of presents and “Oh! Oh! Oh!”
And how can we forget his elves, who are such pranksters in our homes? Their creative energy amazes me—I don’t know about you, but every year, I can’t believe it’s happening all over again. They’re bursting with ideas! The classic pranks are the best—I love them! I’ll admit they could try a little harder, but I get it—the poor little elves are tired. Is it the same at your house? Please reassure me!
Where the madness really begins is with the shopping. Every year, it starts earlier and earlier… I started my shopping in October—am I crazy? In my defense, it was exactly what I needed. We rack our brains so much trying to find the gift that will make their eyes sparkle with joy that sometimes, in the end, they’re disappointed. Anyway! I’ve realized that what matters is trying—it really isn’t about the quantity.
The biggest extravagance, in my opinion, is still Christmas decorating. The tree—just that alone—we’ve been thinking about it since last year, the very day after we took it down. Everything revolves around it! Your little village under the tree, your centerpiece, your Christmas tableware, your decorations all over the house. It’s a lot—you feel like you’ve emptied out part of the basement! You’re really proud when you manage to get a “wow” out of even your most Grinch-like aunt.
But if we set all that madness aside for a moment, Christmas is also the time of year when no one should be alone. When arguments fade away for Christmas Eve. It’s one of the rare times when we proudly buy a book of stamps to send Christmas cards to the people we love who are far away.
Giving time to the people we love is the greatest gift of all. Being together around the tree, a drink in hand, humming along to Christmas music—that has nothing to do with craziness; it’s just incredibly precious.
But a little bit of craziness, joy, and love never hurts anyone… it makes for the most beautiful Christmases and beautifully wrapped memories to share when we get tired of hearing “Vive le vent, vive le vent, d’hiver!” on repeat!
How about you—what’s your Christmas madness like?