Tis the Season...
Last night, I got out my miniature Christmas tree.
Each wire "branch" had to be untwisted and straightened, spread one by one around the tree. It took me an hour, but all the holes were filled and signs of life were beginning to show. The tree topper broke, and I forgot to get hooks, but I needed to have a little holiday cheer. I stole the shiny red tinsel back from Tempest and carefully coiled it between the branches... And my handiwork made me smile.
This WILL be a good Christmas - I'm determined.
Christmas carols on the radio, decorations at home and at work, and planning for a holiday party should be giving that extra spirit boost, but I'm still lagging.
I never thought I was *that* person - the one with material value attached to Winter holidays. Whether I got two presents or twenty, I thought time spent with friends and family were what it was all about. And then this year happened...
This year, when my pockets are emptier than they've ever been. This year, when I've realized how few true friends I have. This year, where my family began to fall apart at already stretched seams... this year, when I fought loneliness every day.
So I figured it out... My holiday spirit has always been wrapped up in being able to give gifts to the people I love, and spend great times with my friends.
Usually I set a budget of $250 or $300, and usually I go over it. I'm the giver of fabulous gifts - not necessarily expensive, but ~meaningful~.
Usually I spend time with my friends - shopping, seeing lights, and trimming trees. They seek me out for excursions and parties, to make cocoa and cookies, or just to sit in front of the fire, to plot for New Year's Eve.
This year isn't like that, and its hard.
My budget is tight, and my friends are busy. There will be very few presents given, and maybe three or four people coming over for New Year's if I'm lucky.
I've decided, though, that I'm going to make the best of it. I'm going to get what I can with the money I've got, and enjoy what time is available to spend with those I care about. I'll concentrate on being grateful for what I DO have - people to wake up with on Christmas morning, a new home I enjoy, a furry little cat monster and a miniature Christmas tree in need of some love.
I'm going to listen to Christmas carols and trim my little tree, and I'm going to enjoy this holiday.
Each wire "branch" had to be untwisted and straightened, spread one by one around the tree. It took me an hour, but all the holes were filled and signs of life were beginning to show. The tree topper broke, and I forgot to get hooks, but I needed to have a little holiday cheer. I stole the shiny red tinsel back from Tempest and carefully coiled it between the branches... And my handiwork made me smile.
This WILL be a good Christmas - I'm determined.
Christmas carols on the radio, decorations at home and at work, and planning for a holiday party should be giving that extra spirit boost, but I'm still lagging.
I never thought I was *that* person - the one with material value attached to Winter holidays. Whether I got two presents or twenty, I thought time spent with friends and family were what it was all about. And then this year happened...
This year, when my pockets are emptier than they've ever been. This year, when I've realized how few true friends I have. This year, where my family began to fall apart at already stretched seams... this year, when I fought loneliness every day.
So I figured it out... My holiday spirit has always been wrapped up in being able to give gifts to the people I love, and spend great times with my friends.
Usually I set a budget of $250 or $300, and usually I go over it. I'm the giver of fabulous gifts - not necessarily expensive, but ~meaningful~.
Usually I spend time with my friends - shopping, seeing lights, and trimming trees. They seek me out for excursions and parties, to make cocoa and cookies, or just to sit in front of the fire, to plot for New Year's Eve.
This year isn't like that, and its hard.
My budget is tight, and my friends are busy. There will be very few presents given, and maybe three or four people coming over for New Year's if I'm lucky.
I've decided, though, that I'm going to make the best of it. I'm going to get what I can with the money I've got, and enjoy what time is available to spend with those I care about. I'll concentrate on being grateful for what I DO have - people to wake up with on Christmas morning, a new home I enjoy, a furry little cat monster and a miniature Christmas tree in need of some love.
I'm going to listen to Christmas carols and trim my little tree, and I'm going to enjoy this holiday.