The Christmas Experience...
Here we go again...another year, another Christmas! I survive again!!
Christmas at my house is a tradition that is NOT to be missed. The whole family comes home to enjoy food and company, and of course, Christmas day. Today was no different. We have so many family tradition and customs that we have made over the years, we never deviate from them.
The majority of us woke up bright and early, around 7am. We scamper down the stairs and flip on the coffee maker and fireplace. We start with the stockings. Over the years we've gone overboard with the stockings. The little gifts tend to overfill the stockings, and overflow down the staircase. We love to give little gifts to each other. The gifts are inexpensive and usually include items like socks, scratch and win tickets, chocolates, lotions, music, and even the coveted Starbucks card (my personal favorite!). After the stockings are open we gather into the kitchen to hang out while mom and dad make a big breakfast.
We eat the same thing every Christmas: english muffins with egg, baon and cheese inbetween. It is a tasty tradition. I don't even know how many years running now.
After breakfast we clean up the kitchen and dishes. After all that is taken care of, we make our way into the living room. Next, we sing some Christmas carols, another tradition---this one is NOT fully embraced by everyone--normally there is some giggling and joking going on while we blast through Silent Night completely accapella, and completely off key (except for me, the family gifted singer *wink*).
After singing, or whatever you want to call it, Dad cracks open the Bible and reads a short passage on the Nativity. We sit and listen and then talked about the verses we read. This is a tradition we are respect since, well, after all -- it's Christmas and it is important to remember why we have come together to celebrate.
Then there is the gifts...opened one at a time in round robin fashion. We all watch each other and celebrate the gifts we receive and appreciate and acknolowedge the giver. And oh boy we do enjoy the loot! :) This year I got some good stuff--stuff I really needed but never went out and bought myself. I got a matress pad to make my bed more comfortable, and a new wireless keyboard and mouse (mine are too and broken), and some stuff for my now sold Nintendo Wii (which I plan to get again). Oh, and I got PJs, --- boy I really needed them!!
So it wouldnt be Christmas without some drama:
My brother seems to be the source -- he is newly 19 and still struggling to move beyond maturity into adulthood. He was not home much of the week, spending much of his days and nights at his friends or girlfriend's place. He did not show up at the Christmas Eve church service (another family tradition) and my sister and my mom were upset about that. On Christmas, it seemed that my parents could not do right with the gifts they purchased for him. On two occassions, he blew up over the gifts he was given. My parents got him a very nice Cell phone (he doesnt have one) and for whatever reason, he thought it was perfectly acceptable to freak out in front of the family and my aunt at his disappointment with the gift. And that wasnt the only gift he expressed disappointment over. Even more shockingly, my parents were apologetic! They apologized and offered to take it back or give him the receipt. I think they were just trying to prevent a big blow out. I was embarassed with his blatant immaturity and selfeshness. He disrespected everyone with his attitude and actions one way or another this Christmas....there is really nothing we can do about it, or so it seems. I spoke with my parents and the only suggestion I could offer them in these delicate situations is that we need to avoid "empowering" him. For example, although he does not live with my parents, he thinks he can take my parents car without asking, whenever he wants---and as the result he missed Christmas eve service. Another example would be to not apologize for the gifts given to him. He needs to learn how to share disappoint appropriately and with tact. I'm upset just thinking about it.
I guess no Christmas would be "Christmas" without some drama. Even Mary and Joseph had plenty of drama during the birth process haha. It comes and goes and it is best to let go and move on.
Anyways, I'm getting ready for bed and getting ready for my trip home tomorrow --- its a long bus ride home.