Christmas Tag

I was tagged by a new tag made to punish me and put up my Christmas tree . . . and what do you know??? The Christmas spirit finally found me! I was feeling a bit hum-bug-ish and really thought that I could do without Christmas this year (except for my selfish excitement over my own present that I already know about, but am not allowed to touch until that very day). My lists are too long and the time too short, so I haven't felt the peace and joy that I normally feel during this season. I think that the late Thanksgiving was a large part of my problem!

As time was speedily passing me by I realized that I was barely getting through the motions of Christmas and I needed to make sure that I made it special for my kids. So I asked each of them what their favorite Christmas tradition was so that we made sure that we did it. As we do each of them I will blog about them (some of which surprised me!).

Since this is my blog . . . I get to go first!!!

There is something about Christmas lights that make me happy! There are soft glowing lights around my nativity. This nativity makes me happy. My mom painted two of these before she died. One was for my Grandma Hazel and the other one was for our family. After I got married I inherited the sacred nativity. I had painted ceramics with my mom and so I could imagine that I had helped with the nativity (I'm sure I was never in the same room when the nativity was being painted!!). I love the rich colors that she picked! After my Grandma Hazel died, my sister inherited our Grandma's (thank goodness . . . I was having major guilt issues!!).

I put Christmas lights at the top of my cupboard and at night I will turn just the Christmas lights on and snuggle up with a cup of hot cider and just feel HAPPY!

So my favorite tradition is indoor Christmas lights . . . subtle indoor Christmas lights that don't overpower and just give me a sense of "special."

(Sorry that the pictures don't show the "special" side since they were during the daytime and I'm not a very good photographer.)

As for my tag. I am supposed to post a picture of my tree . . . which began this whole process of de-hum-bugg-ging me . . . so THANKS Krin! As for my tree . . . in the past I have done two trees and let the kids have their own. This year I let them decorate the family tree (I did the lights for sanity's sake . . . I still remember my first attempt at doing the lights & it is NOT a good memory and this was all about making good memories!). My only instructions were to put the glass and breakable items at the top half of the tree away from Chloe. (later that evening the Menace did manage to get a small glass bulb and break it . . . in her MOUTH because she was BITING it!!!!!! great sharks that was a close one!)

I tag LINDY (LOL after last night . . . & you TOTALLY have to do it!) and Karen (since your tree is up & missing an adorable ornament that my tree now proudly wears . . . wait a second!!! it never made it into my house . . . it is MISSING from my purse!!!!!!)