It's your Christmas. Love it.

            I finally resurrected the Christmas tree today.

            I say finally, because normally it would have already have been standing proudly for around two weeks. This year, I haven’t been feeling very festive however, so I delayed it for as long as I could. The house is on the market, there are hopes and dreams hanging on this sale, and it’s been stressful. Keeping the house in tiptop shape everyday, becomes a chore.

 And the Christmas tree won’t help. That was my excuse anyway.

            Even so, I made hubby take the box down from the cupboard early this morning. I searched for the tree stand, which every year I place in a safe place, and every year I forget where I put it. Eventually, I find it, and set forth on the task at hand. And of course it’s a thirty-degree morning, so it’s a hot and sweaty task too.

            Once the tree is up, the branches in place, the decorations are next. Because my hearts not in it, I decide on no lights. It will only mean more work when I have to take it down! Bad, I know. And when I delve into the bags of baubles, I’m reminded why I do like Christmas.

The round bauble, that is as old as me. My mother gave it me; it was one that she had purchased the year I was born. Thankfully, after being carefully wrapped up last year, it has survived to be hung once more, fifty years later. I find the decorations that we’ve collected as we travelled the world. Angels from Bali, Santa on the Empire State Building and Santa in his board shorts, he was found in Macy’s at Waikiki. 
There’s the pink ribbon bauble, and the pink flamingo from Vegas, and of course the angel that sits proudly at the top. I remember lifting my son so he could place it up there, and now he just lifts his arm and doesn’t have to try hard, as he towers as tall as the tree.

            I’m reminded of why I do love Christmas. It unites us. It makes us happy. We make time to catch up with friends, see family that we don’t always see, even if that is hard at times. Because like most of you know, a dysfunctional family doesn’t make it easy at this time of the year, but we make the effort. The kids all together, the growing family as girlfriends and boyfriends join in. 

The tradition of so much food, even though every year we swear we’ll not over do it, we always do. The hot summer day, spending most of it in the pool. Cold drinks in hand, relaxation, and not a care in the world. Even if if it is just for one day.

It’s appreciating what we have, and whom we have around us, it’s being thankful for all that and more. It’s remembering those that are not with us any longer. It’s another year almost over, and another about to begin, with the promise of the unknown, new adventures, new beginnings, new memories to make. It’s spending time with the ones you love, and most importantly the ones that love you back.

Christmas. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be sometimes, but we make it what we want it to be. Even if is just a quiet day on your own, spent in your pj’s all day in front of the television. If that’s what you want, then do it.

            It’s Christmas. Don’t set your expectations to high, don’t compare your day to others, and don’t pay attention to the picture perfect advertising.

            It’s your day.

            It’s your Christmas.  Enjoy it.

Live, Laugh, Love. 

        Jo x