Wow, I missed 3 whole weeks of postings. So much for promising to write once a week. Now I am pressured by what to write. Something inane? Something serious? Something cheerful? Let’s try this one:
This year, I decided to be really organized and avoid the rush of Christmas activities by buying all presents and wrapping them by November 15. Yup I did that. (See I don’t even have any excuse for my absence at my own blog).
In my country, Christmas season is now apparently decided by shopping malls which promptly blare Christmas songs a day after they sweep away the Halloween faux webs and ghouls. Thus when I set up my tree and arranged all presents two weeks later, I was in sync.
Not an avid shopper – yes I am one of a few females who do NOT like shopping and believe me we EXIST – I walked through shopping malls recently and disdainfully looked at the harried shoppers and long queues at cash registers which brings out the worst in me, next to frustration with choosing among the hundred choices next to too many people to compete with for the attention of a sales attendant next to… you get the picture.
I do like malling though. Malls are a cool place to be to get away from humid heat without being guilty about using up energy on home air-conditioning for a precious few bodies (minimizing carbon-footprint anyone?). Probably like taking commercial rather than private jets in the interest of the dying environment. But what do I know, I am not privy to private lears - if I were, I probably would be shopping differently and liking it!
I was so proud of completing my holiday shopping list early. Yet on the weekend before Christmas, after ghosting thru the malls and enjoying the movies, I looked at the presents and felt funny. The presents are over a month old, they almost looked lived in. I remember being so excited at imagining people’s faces when they opened their gifts but now I struggle to feel the excitement.
I guess we do not have the capacity to sustain excitement for overly extended periods. They have to be fed within a certain, short, period to gain the most extreme satisfaction.
I realized I missed the flurry of activities that characterizes this season. The rush, the anxiety, the edginess of making a list checking it twice only to lose it on the shopping trip and desperately trying to remember all the intended recipients even as one battles through the Christmas throng.
It’s been very laid-back, very un-Christmas like, to say the least.
Also, for the first time, we will be travelling over Christmas. Hence presents that poured in from aunts and uncles were opened so that the clothes may be used on travel. Que horror, when was the last time I opened presents prematurely? Never. And we have to wait to come back home after Christmas to open the presents under the tree (too impractical to cart them off and back).
All of which add up to a very anti-climactic Christmas.
But, then again, we get to spend the holiday with loved ones we haven’t been with for a looong time!
And the laid-backness? It will be replaced with the hassle and bustle of travelling, get-togethers, and organizing meals for x families, packing and un-packing, looking for lost clothing and (heaven forbid) Christmas presents, etcetera, etcetera.
Why, I am now grateful for the quiet before the storm, look forward to the calm after it and will surely enjoy every moment of in between!
Happy Christmas Everyone!
