I can't believe I'm saying this, but I may have executed all things Christmas way too early. Now should be the time to have all the fuzz and get gifts and wrap them and bake and decorate and make cards. But I've already done all that! I have all the gifts alrealy, made, bought, and wrapped; I made and sent the cards; I cleaned and decorated my home ages ago; I already ate a lifetime supply of chocolates. So what is there left to do?
Work, it seems.
I realized too late that I should have focused my energy in November on working - doing a little extra so I could chill in December - but I did just the opposite. I worked, yes, but apparently not enough, since now there's nothing Christmasy (except getting the tree) and a whole lot of work left to do. I was supposed to spend my afternoons and evenings in December sitting by a "fireplace" or another atmospheric video playing in the TV screen, having mulled wine, burning a cinnamon scented candle, and reading Dostoevsky. Even though there's a portable radio playing Christmas songs on repeat in the kitchen, and even though we've been watching Parks and Recreation (a Christmas tradition in the house) every night, it feels like something's missing.
What I'm trying to say is that it doesn't feel like Christmas time. I don't feel like I'm waiting for Christmas Eve. I'm just... working. And watching chess on Twitch. And checking out Mr. Robot. Among other non-Christmasy things.
It's not that I've grown up - I've had the most amazing Decembers the last few years. It's not that I've done too little, or too late. It's that I've done too much too early.
So what to do? Operation resuscitate Christmas to the rescue!
- Make a large pot of rice pudding - or any other cinnamon infused comfy breakfast dish that reminds you of Christmas. Do it now.
- Wear red, that notorious Christmas red, every day from today until the holidays.
- Get and wrap more gifts?
- Drink mulled wine every day.
- Turn off the TV, even if you'd like to watch Parks and rec.
Sometimes silence is what it takes to make a Christmas ambiance. Not the drinks. Not the food. Not the decor, or what you wear. Perhaps all it takes is a silent moment of meditation to get yourself back in the mood.
RK
