Back in 1990 (or 1991), when I was in my mid-30s, I decided to reclaim Christmas. To celebrate it. To enjoy it. Without commercialism. But, with meaning. With joy. With fun.
For years, until that moment, Christmas was something I went through. Ho, ho, humbug, ho, ho. Not totally. I enjoyed singing Christmas carols and I liked the sparkle-sparkle of the Christmas lights. And, I loved giving presents. So, you see, I wasn't a complete loss into grumpiness or miserableness around Christmas-time. I simply thought the spirit of Christmas was lost beneath all the excessive Buy! Buy! Buy!
I don't recall exactly when the light bulb went over my head, but it did, thank goodness. I didn't have to be depressed about Christmas being commercial. Bingo!
The first thing I did was make a fireplace to hang up Christmas socks and pin Christmas cards around. See the white sock? A yellow pterodactyl sat on top of the sock. I put the space heater in front of the fireplace, so the First and Late Great Husband and I could imagine it was giving off heat. Giggle.
I just remembered that we strung lights around our ficus tree. LOL
Birgit of BB Creations wrote that she's hooking up with the Christmas Joy Blog Hop, which ends today. After reading Birgit's cool Christmas memory, I was inspired to join in. To check out other Christmas posts, click here.
Sending you limitless love, joy, giggles and inspiration -
ReplyDeleteToday and Always!
-g-
Oooh, I caught them, thank you very much. Right back at ya, G.
DeleteChristmas is a great big celebration. Spread all the Joy and happiness that you can. The secret of it is - the more you give the more your experience.
ReplyDeletePrecisely!
DeleteSo glad you joined in the hop - Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteIt's late hopping for me. Better late than never. :-)
DeleteThis is so great that you joined and gave a shout out to little ole moi. Great Christmas post and finding out how not to let the commercialism get the better of you. I watched Miracle on 34th St and they talked about this problem back then!
ReplyDeleteHmmm, maybe the apple that Eve ate was commercialism.
DeleteNeat that you thought about wanting to reclaim Christmas :) I might have to try that for next year; it is a wonderful holiday and day and it doesn't have to be commercialized indeed!
ReplyDeletebetty
Back then, it was either reclaim or be depressed. I was tired of being depressed. Best thing I did for myself at that time of my life.
DeleteThanks for joining us in the blog hop :) Christmas is so much better with meaning instead of commercialism. I like your fireplace, my friend has a heater that has a screen in front that makes it look like a fireplace :) And your decorated ficus tree sounds fun, lol!
ReplyDeleteIt was fun. I put up my fireplace every Christmas that we lived there.
DeleteWe will see us Friday - I hope! Herzlich Pippa
ReplyDeleteBeen playing catch up so it may be the beginning of next year, Pippa. :-)
DeleteThis was a neat read! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThe other day I read that Santa as we know him - red suit with white trim - is solely due to a coke ad campaign. I wonder what he wore before that?
ReplyDeleteYour hearth looks lovely. :)
A zoot suit! Thank you kindly.
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