I keep hearing that Thanksgiving is the lost holiday, here in the USA, sandwiched in between the getting of lots of candy and the getting of lots of gifts. But I have to tell you that it is not like that for my family and me.
Thanksgiving is the kick-off of our holiday season. It is the beginning of special times with family (my parents, siblings, and their families) and my God. It is a day that we have steeped in much tradition. You see, when I was a child we lived in the same state as my mother's parents and the majority of her 6 siblings and their families. We would get together on Thanksgiving and have a huge feast and time of fellowship. We played games and sang songs (we are a very musical family) and enjoyed being with each other.
When I was in my early teens we moved to another state, the one my father's mother and only sister lives in. Things were much different in that state, if for no other reason than there were a lot less people. Needless to say, Thanksgiving was a much quieter and less active affair. For several years we did go back to the other state for Thanksgiving but things were changing. We realized that we needed to do something to help us enjoy the day more because after an early dinner, watching football just wasn't cutting it for us girls. (I have 2 sisters and no brothers.) My youngest sister and I have learned to like football but that was slow coming for me. Anyway, we girls decided that we would put up our Christmas tree on Thanksgiving. We did this for many years. Then after I got married, we stopped for a while. But when my oldest was a toddler, we started doing it again—I had missed being a part of putting up my mother's tree and the fun we had. I remember clearly the first year that we helped put her tree up after I was married, my husband had borrowed a video recorder from his sister and we recorded it. We had a ball!!! It was sooo fun and my son loved helping.
As the years have passed, we've changed what and how we do things several times as the children have grown, allowing them to help but not requiring it, as their interest has changed. But one thing that remains, we look forward to this wonderful season from the fourth Thursday of November through the first of the new year. Having traditions that you look forward to is what helps change the emphasis from getting to enjoying.
My mom, sister, and I have been Christmas shopping together several times and have so enjoyed getting ready for the holidays. We like to have our shopping done by Thanksgiving. I'll tell you, we have been dog tired when we finish a day of shopping but we have accomplished a lot and enjoyed ourselves too. We are having fun doing it and thus taking away the feeling that it is a chore to be done.
We started hearing Christmas music and the weather turned cooler and I just get the warm fuzzies and eager anticipation of a wonderful time of year. Later I will post about some of our traditions that we enjoy.
I trust that this post will encourage you to look forward to the coming season and not look on with dread of the hustle and bustle. Just like the rest of life, it is what you make it. If you think it will be hectic and frustrating, that is what it will be for you. If you think it will be enjoyable and wonderful, then it will be for you. Yes, there may be difficulties and annoying situations, but if you keep it in perspective, you can find the enjoyable and wonderful parts and focus on that.
I had some good advice some years ago from somewhere online. I was encouraged to stop and think about the season. I was also encouraged to ask my family what they wanted to do. We don't say yes to everything available and make/take time for family (immediate and extended) making enjoyable memories. I encourage you to find out what is important to you and what will make your holidays an enjoyable season and then pursue it.
I love what you wrote about the holiday's being what you make of it, because I have learned the hard way. The last few years were yuckie...first of all we just didn't have much to spend, so when that's the focus it really takes the joy out of the celebration of Christmas. This year isn't much better in the financial department, but I'm doing things different this year. Last year we began to develop some traditions that are in full swing & we are having a GREAT Christmas season already!!
One thing I decided to do was make a list of all the fun stuff we GET to do...instead of Have To do's. (if you know what I mean) so the kids are actually looking forward to taking our picture to send out to family, etc. Instead of it all being a burden we are seeing our long list of holiday stuff as THE focus. Of course GIVING and CELEBRATING Jesus are on on the list, so we know why we are doing all that we are doing. To God be the glory!!
Mercy, thank you so much for stopping by and commenting! It means a lot to me.
I'd love to hear about your traditions you have going. It always gives me good ideas to hear what others are doing. Some we try, some we don't, some work for us, and others do for a season.
(Me and my dd, Tiffany on an easy to climb tree limb on vacation in VA in 2007.) These are my ramblings on homeschooling and whatever else comes to mind.
Counting Down
The Holidays are over and I'm not quite ready to start a new count down yet. Maybe I should start a counting up the number of days I've stayed on my "diet".
☺ Dec. 6, 2008 - Untitled Comment
One thing I decided to do was make a list of all the fun stuff we GET to do...instead of Have To do's. (if you know what I mean) so the kids are actually looking forward to taking our picture to send out to family, etc. Instead of it all being a burden we are seeing our long list of holiday stuff as THE focus. Of course GIVING and CELEBRATING Jesus are on on the list, so we know why we are doing all that we are doing. To God be the glory!!
Merry Christmas to you Michele.
~Mercy
studentsoftheword.blogspot.com