Santa's Birthday

We started a new tradition today and it's one that's going to stick!   In the aftermath of yesterday's holiday shopping extravaganza, I decided to do something special with the kids on July 25th.  They are still too young to understand the  "Christmas In July" concept (as are some adults, evidently.  I pity them)  A couple weeks ago, completely out of the blue, my oldest posed the question, "Mom, when is Santa's birthday?"  Please note that I am aware of the correlation between Santa and St. Nicholas, whose birthday is traditionally recognized on December 6th.  However, seeing an opportunity for something fun to break up the monotony of the summer months, I decided that our family would celebrate Santa's birthday on July 25th.

The morning started with green and red scrambled eggs, a piece of fruitcake,  and a knock on the door.

On the doorstep we found a gift and a letter from our mischievous Christmas elf, Alfie.  Alfie was with us the entire month of December, sending reports to Santa on good behavior and finding his way into all kinds of trouble!  Alfie's letter described Santa's birthday celebration at the North Pole and came attached to a wonderful gift the whole family could enjoy.

After breakfast, I lit my favorite Christmas candle and turned on the Christmas tunes.  As we listened to Bing, Dean, Frank, and Nat, we made ornaments for our trees and colored holiday pictures.  We also watched the first of our Christmas videos, which the kids were anxious to see- How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Lunch time was uneventful, something I think will change next year, and afterward my own little elves headed to bed.  D and I made some red and green popcorn and settled in on the couch for our Christmas movie- The Muppets Christmas Carol.  It was brand new for him and became an instant favorite, which is great news for this Muppet fan!

When our movie ended, we broke out our new gift, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for Wii.  (Buying holiday items off of Amazon in the middle of the Summer can be very economical, by the way.  Paid less than $5 for this brand-new game)  It was a hit!

We're finishing supper and the kids are eagerly anticipating their reindeer cupcakes.  We'll end the night with baths and Christmas books before bedtime.

Who knows how long we'll be able to celebrate Santa's birthday.  Either way, July 25th will be a special day in our home.  I can hardly wait for next year!

Christmas In July

My mom and I celebrated our 5th annual Christmas In July over the weekend.  It has quickly become one of my favorite days of the year and is in danger of pulling ahead of the day after Thanksgiving.  What is Christmas in July you ask?  In our world it consists of two grown women, plastered to the television ogling everything Christmas from decor to gift ideas on QVC.  It includes wonderfully smelling candles, Christmas cookies, a pine cone (our family's favorite Christmas appetizer), pots of coffee, and piles of Christmas idea books.  It's our day to get a jump start on our holiday shopping and planning and we love it!

We've been told on more than one occasion that we're crazy, but I think the word "crazy" is highly relative.  To me, crazy are the people running around like headless chickens the month of December, stressed to the max and burning up their credit cards to buy gifts in a pinch. 

What was accomplished this year amid lots of laughing and even more eating?   Gifts for eight teachers and the school office staff, a present for my sister-in-law, and I managed to pick up a couple goodies for myself- all from the comfort of my parent's living room.  All in all, I'd say it was a successful day!

Buh Bye

I spend most of the year anticipating for and preparing for Christmas. It is, by far, my favorite time of the year. I love the sights, the sounds, and the smells. But, it never fails- come December 26th- I'm over it! I gear up for the coming new year and have the overwhelming urge to purge my home of everything we no longer use and organize, organize, organize! Something about the extra clutter the season brings or the business causes me to desire a clean, fresh, new start- and I want it to begin as soon as possible. Our tree is still up, which may not sound odd to most. However, there have been years where Christmas has "died" at our house before sundown on the 26th. I remember a simpler time (and by simpler I mean "before we had children") when I didn't mind if the tree stayed up through New Years. But apparently the addition of extra bodies and MUCH extra junk, has become a tad overwhelming.

As I look up from the computer and glance around the house, I wonder... should I get the boxes out of the garage and start undecorating the tree??? That's so depressing. Please tell me I'm not the only one...