Sure. Christmas is supposed be a time of joy, gift giving, tree lighting, and the college favorite, ugly Christmas sweater parties. For most, however, it usually ends up in a ridiculous amount of stress. Eggnog hangovers. Food hangovers. Family hangovers. Or any other overs that have either been voluntary (masochists...) or thrust upon us. However, I am so amazed with today. It's Christmas. I haven't left my pajamas or my living room, I listened to Sigur Ros and read David Sedaris, and not once did I feel the need for anything more. I guess I should attribute this day of blessed nothingness to the fact that the Keller's started Christmas on Thanksgiving, and maintained a steady flow of family traffic through my college graduation. That was nice. I had three weeks to make the family rounds, exchange pleasantries, and put a little more thought into the meaning behind madness. Hell, I even wrote Christmas cards, sans the standardized message. This may be the only tradition I steal from retailers. Christmas season starts the day after Thanksgiving and ends December 26th. Apply that to your family visits, gift acquisition and get togethers, and I promise steady contentment over the normal bipolar ride of joy and sheer hatred we all usually share during Jesus's Birthdaypalooza.
Things I have learned from Christmas:
1. Three weeks of steady family gatherings beats the hell out of seeing any of them today.
2. I can, in fact, make it through December 25th without watching A Christmas Story or reaching fisticuffs with my sister.
3. Christmas music on Christmas is for the birds. The kind that eat the ham fat leftovers you throw in your front yard after the dogs are comatose. Listen to Sigur Ros and Sufjan and your heart rate (regardless of your best attempts to shove as much cholesterol in your eggnog and deviled eggs) will thank you.
4. Instead of Christmas, The Netherlands celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 5th, with a retired bishop from Turkey and 6 to 8 black men. Depending on your annual behavioral status, you may either get a toy in your sabots, or beaten, kicked, and thrown in a burlap sack. Then, you are drug off to Spain., which is, of course, St. Nicholas's home. I think I like they're version better.
5. Last night during Christmas Mass, the priest lit incense of Frankincense and Muir, which apparently to children, smell of culinary delight. During a moment of silence, a toddler took a deep exonerated breathe and screeched with unadulterated joy, " Something smells delicious!"
Yes kid. That would be the Jesus Crisp.
6. My family and friends know me pretty well: I received a painting, some liquor, a matching sweater from my lover, Icelandic indie music, a back rub, a wallet (that has already been stolen), a journal conveniently containing everything about New York, 100 reasons why music is the best expression, and a promise of Mexican food, cooked anytime I'd like. These of course have been over the past three weeks, which gives me plenty of time to enjoy. And of course, more kind words than I deserve. I hope my feeble attempts of thoughtfulness have proven to be half as good as these. Thank God I didn't get my previously chosen gift for everyone: http://www.trendhunter.com/slideshow/26646/8
8. Contrary to popular belief, change, to me, isn't something you see happening. You only feel it's effects after the fact. Today I woke up and appreciated the simplicity of my life. A change well received.
7. Sometimes doing absolutely nothing can bring everything in perspective.
Happy Holidays, or Lack thereof,
Hayley
Things I have learned from Christmas:
1. Three weeks of steady family gatherings beats the hell out of seeing any of them today.
2. I can, in fact, make it through December 25th without watching A Christmas Story or reaching fisticuffs with my sister.
3. Christmas music on Christmas is for the birds. The kind that eat the ham fat leftovers you throw in your front yard after the dogs are comatose. Listen to Sigur Ros and Sufjan and your heart rate (regardless of your best attempts to shove as much cholesterol in your eggnog and deviled eggs) will thank you.
4. Instead of Christmas, The Netherlands celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 5th, with a retired bishop from Turkey and 6 to 8 black men. Depending on your annual behavioral status, you may either get a toy in your sabots, or beaten, kicked, and thrown in a burlap sack. Then, you are drug off to Spain., which is, of course, St. Nicholas's home. I think I like they're version better.
5. Last night during Christmas Mass, the priest lit incense of Frankincense and Muir, which apparently to children, smell of culinary delight. During a moment of silence, a toddler took a deep exonerated breathe and screeched with unadulterated joy, " Something smells delicious!"
Yes kid. That would be the Jesus Crisp.
6. My family and friends know me pretty well: I received a painting, some liquor, a matching sweater from my lover, Icelandic indie music, a back rub, a wallet (that has already been stolen), a journal conveniently containing everything about New York, 100 reasons why music is the best expression, and a promise of Mexican food, cooked anytime I'd like. These of course have been over the past three weeks, which gives me plenty of time to enjoy. And of course, more kind words than I deserve. I hope my feeble attempts of thoughtfulness have proven to be half as good as these. Thank God I didn't get my previously chosen gift for everyone: http://www.trendhunter.com/slideshow/26646/8
8. Contrary to popular belief, change, to me, isn't something you see happening. You only feel it's effects after the fact. Today I woke up and appreciated the simplicity of my life. A change well received.
7. Sometimes doing absolutely nothing can bring everything in perspective.
Happy Holidays, or Lack thereof,
Hayley
