It's Time to get Ready for Christmas

Taking a break during Holiday prep
 is nice. My family likes to do puzzles.

The year is winding down. My family is celebrating the Holiday Season with a slew of parties and festivities. As we count down the days to Christmas and, ultimately, the new year, I will be tending to a list of duties and responsibilities that will require my attention. This year will be a little more challenging since we hosted Thanksgiving. This meant a little extra prep around the house getting ready for dinner and cleaning up after the guests left. Turkey Day is over. Pots, pans, and dishes are washed and put away. Our whole family enjoyed some extra time off. Lovie, working retail, is about to witness the true joy of the Holiday Season. There are a little more than three precious weeks between now and December 25. There's a lot to do.

Christmas Cards

'Tis the season to
send Christmas cards.
Christmas cards are an integral part of the season for me. My mailing list is pages long. For people like Bob Rivers, it's one of the pains of Christmas, but not for me. Sending Christmas cards is one of the ways I like to observe the season. Everyone I know gets a Christmas card; family, friends, old and current employers, people I haven't seen in years or decades will get a little something in the mail wishing them the best of the season. As for me, I love getting cards, and these cards adorn our walls as reminders that people are thinking of us, even if only for a minute or two, and wishing us a Merry Christmas.

Gift Giving

Gift-giving is something I love doing. It's nice to go out and find the perfect gift for people, and sometimes it's a challenge that become greater when it comes to certain people because I found something great for them the last Christmas and I need to at least match that level of accomplishment during the current season. Seeing the look on people's faces when they open something for me is what I love. I am willing to go just about anywhere (and I have!) to find a gift I know people will love.

Christmas Carols

I've written about Christmas carols before. People love them, some people don't love them as much. Back when I worked two retail jobs, it became a little much for me to bear, and if I was alone in the store, I would switch the radio to something different. People coming into the store would tell me how happy they were to have a break from the constant inundation of Christmas music. I was glad to do something nice for the people and give them a brief respite from that. I'm not saying it's all that bad. In fact, I'm listening to The Nutcracker now as I'm writing. I love listening to Christmas carols, but sometimes I need a break.

Christmas Movies

Photos: 20th Century Studios Family

Speaking of breaks, it's nice to sit back and unwind every now and then. My family likes to get together with a movie night. A Christmas movie is a great way to spend a couple of hours together and unwind from the hustle and bustle of preparing the season. The selection process isn't always easy, but in the end, we somehow find a way to agree on a movie and end the day with a Christmas selection. This year, our first movie of the season was "Miracle on 34th Street". We watched the original movie.

Christmas Parties

Christmas parties are a part of the season, whether it be friends, neighbors, or work. I remember my father's office having an annual Christmas party. My job is hosting a Christmas party, and my entire family will be there. The Halloween party was a bast, and I'm sure the Christmas party will be a fun time for everyone who can make it. I'm looking forward to celebrating the most wonderful time of the year with colleagues, bosses, and family. 

There is a lot to do and not a lot of time to get it done. Wife and I will be tackling the Christmas shopping list. We'll be making sure everyone is taken care of, and we'll make sure our to-do lists are complete and accounted for. The sooner the better, and we can settle down with visions of accomplishment dancing in our heads. It's a fun time of year and a great way to end the year and usher in the new year. Here's hoping you can get through your list with minimal difficulty and plenty of cheer.

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