This is the time of new traditions.
Over the years, through my childhood and my adulthood, I've not been a fan of Christmas. It gets progressively worse every year, especially now that the holiday season starts sometime before Hallowe'en and only counts if you're in debt well into the New Year.
Craziness.
I do crave some kind of inclusive "holiday" tradition and I have been in search of one. It must be some kind of latent Celt-pagan need buried deep in my soul. I believe I may have just found it. Better yet, I found it in a way that can be easily incorporated into our lives.
As it turns out, the Twelve Days of Christmas are the twelve days between Christmas Day on December 25th and January 5th, the night before Epiphany.
THIS is an idea that appeals to me! Not only is it less frantic and fake, I can take advantage of all the Boxing Day sales and slow things down to a manageable pace. We can celebrate every day in it's own way and not have to cram everything into one day of excess and bloat. Doesn't that make sense? At a time when we seem to be rushing through life, I'd like to take some time, show some respect and savour the time I have with my children, my family and our friends. Traditionally the time right after Christmas is mellow, everyone is exhausted (or at a hockey tournament!). I think this is going to be a wonderful, and meaningful, change.
This year, with Santa having moved on to my niece Ava's home, we have some more subtle plans for our holiday:
Pre-Christmas (sometime in December): Lights outside, "wreath" adorning the front door, small Christmas tree surrounded by my ancient ceramic village and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra on the stereo.
Christmas Day: Everyone gets to sleep in. Brunch of our favourites: scrambled eggs, peameal bacon, roasted tomatoes, hash browns, homemade biscuits and croissants. Calls to family and friends wishing them the best holiday ever :) Maybe a walk or a skate in the afternoon. A traditional roast beef dinner with the kids' favourite Yorkshire pudding with lots of gravy and "nothing green" for dinner. Gifts? Yes, but only carefully selected gift cards of nominal value.
Boxing Day - January 5th: Plans are underway to see friends and family. The truck will be gassed up, the tires filled, CAA paid up, the camera batteries charged and memory cards cleared. We're ready for whatever adventure awaits. Each day - along the lines of the 12 gifts of Christmas - I want the kids to do something kind, really thoughtful - for each other. Just the gift of kindness and respect - and calm. I want them to build a foundation for their future - as siblings, as adults.
New Year's Eve: Not quite sure what we'll do, but welcoming in the new year is always fun, though rarely can we all make it to midnight! Who knows, maybe NYC in Times Square? Probably only via television, but that could be something to think about.
January 5: In this, the season of Comfort and Joy, I'm thinking we should start with a simple meal of thanks. The vote seems to be Shepherd's Pie. Pretty appropriate, I'd say. So we'll end the holiday season and start our year with a simple meal of meat and potato pie, a salad, and something green. Gastronomical re-entry :)
January 6: Down comes the tree and all of the decorations. No doubt there will be grumbling and misery, but it will be quick and relatively painless as there won't be much!
January 7: Re-entry. Time to charge the laptops, find the books, wash the uniforms - including checking for runs in stockings!
January 8: Time to put all of those gift cards received on Christmas Day to good use. Look out Sherway Gardens (for Mama) and Mapleview Mall (for the kids).
January 9: I love that all of my kids are back to school on the same day. I can only hope that they return after a nice time engaging with each other. You know, every mother's fantasy that her children will get along and love one another? Yeah. I hope that happens. My gift. Well, that, and a nap :)
For me, the time away from school (and our irregular regular routine) means my kids have an opportunity to connect and re-connect with those around them: their extended family and friends. That is what makes life full and worthwhile. Right? I really hope that by the first of the new year they've had that opportunity. It's been a rough couple of years and I am doing my best to turn shit into sunshine and have them, us, focus on the good stuff. I want their memories to weigh in on the side of kind and good rather than the alternative.
So, that's the plan.
Today.
I'll let you know how it turns out.
