That Christmas Time of Year
Posted by jefferson on Dec 3, 2012 in Parenting | 68 comments
As our family calendar flips to the last page, I can’t believe that 2012 is already drawing near a close. Of course, the arrival of December means the holiday season is officially underway, one of my very favorite parts of the year has begun. We spent an evening this past weekend putting up the Christmas tree in our living room, which is a tradition enjoyed by families all over the world. I found myself getting a little bit sentimental thinking about how fast the time as has gone, as it felt like just yesterday that we were separating the artificial branches by color, trying to wind the lights around the tree in a way that didn’t leave any large spaces, and hanging our assortment of mismatched ornaments . Once the tree was up and looking beautiful, I headed outside to climb up on the roof to string up some lights. We don’t have any inflatables or anything in our yard, but we try to show a little Christmas spirit each year by putting up some decorations inside and out. When we were done, our house was looking pretty festive. In fact, as I type this, I am drinking coffee out of a mug that is the shape of Santa’s head.
Clearly, it is that Christmas time of year. I don’t know what it is about the holiday season that I love so much. The weather is often too cold to go outside, the music gets old very fast, and in years past we have often found ourselves spending far more money than we should. However, Christmas time is when traditions and togetherness combine to bring us all closer together. Like many children, Christmas was my favorite holiday growing up because of the sheer excitement of potentially receiving the gifts that I had wanted all year. I would count down the months until December would arrive, carefully mapping out the Atari games or baseball cards that I wanted that year, and diligently crafting my letter to Santa Claus to list my priorities and state my case.
I remember being puzzled as to why my parents seemed to love Christmas just as much as I did. After all, Santa didn’t give any presents to grown-ups, and the gifts that my parents *did* receive, never seemed very exciting. Now that I am a daddy myself, I love this time of year more than ever. I realize that the happiness that you can get from material things is fleeting at best, but Christmas has evolved into something else entirely. I love seeing my neighborhood lit up in colorful lights. I love singing Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, and hearing my boys crack up when they say “in his underwear!” after the line “and Santa came to say..”. I love going through the old ornaments each year, and remembering the stories behind all of them. I love watching “A Christmas Story” and “Christmas Vacation” each year, even though I have already seen both movies at least 50 times. I love hearing my kids try to figure out the contents of each present under the tree, trying to use the weight and noise to make an educated guess on each. I love seeing my daughter’s face light up when she looks at the tree for the first time with the lights turned on. I love making a humongous breakfast every year on Christmas morning and inviting the Grandparents over to see how excited the kids are.
More than anything, I am thankful to have a wonderful family to share these Christmas memories with. Being a parent can be challenging at times, but this time of year always reminds me how truly lucky I am. There is a certain sadness that comes with seeing your kids get bigger and bigger; with seeing their gifts change from stuffed animals to legos to ipods. But when I look to the future and see myself growing old, I find comfort in knowing that my Christmases will always be filled with laughter and family, just like they are today.
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This post is part of the Christmas Memories Blog Post Series. Click here to read more posts from our blogging friends.
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I can’t wait to put up our Christmas tree this week – even without kids, our tree is turning into a reflection of who we are as a family since each year we add a new ornament for each member of the family, and add the year and name on the bottom. So putting them in turns into a trip down memory lane… =)
Mrs. Pop @ Planting Our Pennies recently posted..PoP Balance Sheet – November 2012
Awesome, Mrs. Pop.
I love how the ornament (and Christmas decoration) collection morphs slightly each year.. Our kids schools usually have the kids make an ornament or decorative item each year, and we are always happy to add these to the tree!
I cannot believe this year is almost over either! It is insane. Good memories, Michelle!
Holly@ClubThrifty recently posted..My Favorite Christmas Memories
This was a Jefferson post.. but the memories are both of ours!
This year has been a total blur, seriously.
Sorry, duh!!!!!!!!!!!
I can only imagine how fun it is to give your children Christmas presents. I look forward to one day sharing Christmas with my kids (key word: one day aka maybe 8 years from now haha) and having them try to figure out what they got.
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted..Saving Money Grocery Shopping – $100 Giveaway!
It really is a blast.. What is amazing is how much easier it is to shop for some kids than others.. My eight year old claims that he “doesn’t really need anything”, but I can always find 50 things that I think he would love. His big brother always has big expensive dreams for Christmas, but his likes and dislikes change soo fast, I am always scared to buy him anything..
We just finished our tree last night. It’s always so fun to watch the kids get so excited about it…now if we can only keep them out of it for the next three weeks.
John S @ Frugal Rules recently posted..Giveaway: Four Simple Ways to Save Money on Groceries
True that.. Our one year old already has a new favorite past time of unplugging the tree every time she walks by..
Great summary. It’s exactly why I love Christmas!!!
Jamie Dickinson recently posted..Guide to Student Accommodation
Me too Jamie.. It is all about the family.
See, I never get sick of Christmas music, even when I worked retail. I LOVE it. I listen to it from the time I wake till I go to bed, I’m not kidding. We have a 24hr radio station with Christmas music and I love it haha.
Catherine recently posted..My Favorite Childhood Christmas Memories @PlungedinDebt
That is amazing.
I am always happy to hear the songs for the first few times each year.. And some of the sing alongs will always be great.. But other songs I just can’t take after a while…
I always enjoy watching It’s A Wonderful Life around this time of year. I missed the first showing but it is on again on Christmas Eve.
Lance @ Money Life and More recently posted..Interview with Myself: “Retirement Is Possible”
Ah yes, Lance.. Another classic. This one makes a regular cameo at our house as well..
We have a three year old and a one year old and we are trying to establish some great Christmas memories for them, and those too will become lasting memories for us as well
Michael @ So You Think You Can Save recently posted..Perform A Line By Line Exam Of Every Bill And Statement
When they are little is the very best.. They get so excited by the lights, the songs, and all of the decorations!
Aww you’ve painted such a wonderful picture! I haven’t gotten truly started Christmas decorating just yet but I’m really looking forward to it for all of the reasons you outlined. It’s not about the presents, it’s about so much more!
Jordann @ My Alternate Life recently posted..Save On Groceries & $100 Give Away
Thanks Jordann!… Be sure to enjoy this time of year with those that you love!
This was an awesome post to read on a Monday morning. The year really did fly by but the Christmas season is always an awesome way to end it and ring in a new one. Love the way this was written and its always a lot more fun when you have kids to share this time with because they still see it as filled with magic.
Kelly@Financial-Lessons recently posted..How to Make Your Videos go Viral
Thank you for the kind words, Kelly.
And your description is right on the money.. With kids, this time of the year is all about magic and wonder, and that is a big part of what makes it so wonderful…
Love the heartfelt talk about what you love about the holidays. Yay! I am loving this link-up.
L Bee and the Money Tree recently posted..My Favorite Childhood Christmas Memory
Thanks LB!!..
Me too.. So many great posts in the lineup. If you haven’t already, please click the link at the bottom of the post to see all of the other “Christmas Memory” posts that were posted today..
I think having kids would make Christmas a whole lot more fun.
Budget and the Beach recently posted..Believing in Yourself
It does make it more fun.. But even if I didn’t have kids, I am pretty sure that I would put up a tree and lights, to get into the spirit of the day.
Great Christmas post you guys! Thanks for participating!
Tackling Our Debt recently posted..My Favorite Childhood Christmas Memories @TacklingOurDebt
Thanks Sicorra!!.. You did a superb job of putting all of this together!
Atari games? Oh my gosh, I loved Atari as a kid
Wow, that totally brings back memories. Now I want to play Frogger!
Mackenzie recently posted..Goals For December: Giving Back
Awesome!.. and maybe a little Q-Bert mixed in for good measure.
Those were the good ol days..
With our oldest daughter now married we had she, her husband and his family join us last year and want to this year because we still have two little ones who look forward to Santa’s visit. It really does add to the magic of the season to have the excitement of little ones anticipating Christmas morning.
Lots of wonderful memories for us throughout our lives of Christmases past and we work to create that for our family. Plus it’s an excuse to pull out all the stops in decorating for ourselves too, only now I have a lot more “helpers” : ) Enjoy the season with your family – they do grow up SO fast!
Lynda recently posted..Living Room Tree
I know Lynda.. and I do appreciate the reminder.. We experienced the “growing up so fast” so much with our oldest two boys, that Michelle and I promised each other that we would cherish every moment, and slow it down with our daughter (now 17 months old)..
Of course, the time has still flown by.. And I still get a little quiver in my lip every time we have to put an outfit into storage because she is too big for it..
Great post. Christmas through the eyes of my kids are some of my best memories from their childhood.
And yes, I still catch an hour or 2 of The Christmas Story marathon on Xmas eve!
Kyle James recently posted..Weekend Reading: Save Money on Christmas Gifts, Decorations, and Meals
Absolutely, Kyle.. Having Christmas with kids around (and we have 3), is very much like being a kid again ourselves..
Great post! Christmas is such a special time and should definitely be shared with loved ones! Merry Christmas!
Janine recently posted..My Christmas Time Traditions @apenny4athought
Thanks for the kind words, Janine… That is exactly how we plan to spending the holidays this year!
Isn’t amazing how our perspective changes as we grow older. As kids we “think” it’s about the presents and later we realize it’s about family and tradition. Although I love watching the season through my daughters eyes when everything is so magical to them.
Shannon @ The Heavy Purse recently posted..My Favorite Childhood Christmas Traditions
Very well said, Shannon!.. I think that I do love the holidays now more than ever!
I love hanging out with kids around the holidays! I can only imagine how much more awesome they are when you made the kids yourself.
Kathleen @ Frugal Portland recently posted..Ten ways to save money grocery shopping
I know that you will be a great mom one day, Kathleen.. and then you will be sure to make the holidays extra special for you little ones!
Beautiful post
. If I wasn’t already in the holiday spirit, I definitely would be now after reading this! It’s so true that the holidays get better each year and it has little to do with material things, and everything to do with all the magic of the season.
Shannon-ReadyForZero recently posted..Dealing with Debt as a Couple
Thanks Shannon.. You are so right.. I know that there isn’t a material thing in the world that can bring lasting happiness..
Great post! Christmas should be more about family and friends and less about gifts. This year, I have told everyone that I don’t want anything! No Gifts! I don’t need more “stuff” and there is nothing that I absolutely need. I value this time to spend quality time with the family and also to think of those who are less fortunate and may not have shelter or food to eat this holiday season. Every year, we find a family in need and donate food, money or clothing. And to me….the best gift I receive is seeing how happy and grateful they are to receive an unexpected helpful hand from a stranger. It brings tears to my face every time.
Merry Christmas to all!
Rj
We tell everyone the same thing.. Get presents for the kids, but don’t worry about us.. If you must, donate to charity in our name
Christmas does seem so much more fun with children. You get to do all the fun stuff you know you want to do anyway but might not if you were a childless adult, and you can wear Christmas socks and kids think you’re really cool.
Kim@Eyesonthedollar recently posted..My Most Memorable Christmas
LOL at the Christmas socks!!… You are right about the fun stuff, without a doubt. My kids love Christmas, and it is their excitement that really makes me smile..
Christmas is so boring without kids I almost with I had one to share the magic! We reached that time in my family when all the cousins are too old to enjoy Christmas but still childless, or with really small babies. In a few years it should be fun again.
Pauline recently posted..How to save money on grocery shopping
Last year, our daughter was 6 months old at Christmas and didn’t really know what was going on.. This year, she is all over it.. She already says “Ho Ho Ho!” when she sees a santa decoration.. So adorable..
This is a very touching post. I can tell it is written right from the heart. Thanks for sharing your joy.
Thanks Maggie.. What a very nice comment!
Beautiful post. Christmas always brings out appreciation of things and people in our lives. It’s really the time of year when we need to ponder on how lucky we are to have family around us.
CreditDonkey recently posted..How to Regift: 3 Tips for Successful Regifting
This is perfectly stated.. Christmas isnt about the gifts.. It is about togetherness and realizing how fortunate we are to have each other.
Lampoon’s Christmas vacation is practically a mandatory part of the Christmas season in our household. If I don’t watch it at least once in December, I don’t feel like it’s Christmas.
KK @ Student Debt Survivor recently posted..My Favorite Childhood Christmas Memories @StuDebtSurvivor
We watched about half of it last night actually and I was giggling like I had never seen it before.. Love that movie!
We just finished putting up our Christmas tree last week. We also enjoy playing Christmas music whenever we are home. Even though it is cold outside, there is something about the Christmas Season that warms everything up and makes us extra cheerful.
Dominique Brown recently posted..What Would You Do If A Bill Collector Did This to You?
We’ve been known to put the Christmas music on in our house as well.. Especially on a chilly weekend afternoon.
My kids love driving around and seeing all of the houses decorated for Christmas, so we always make time to do that. They also love putting up Christmas decorations in our house.
I agree though, Christmas changes as your kids get older.
Melissa recently posted..Flash Savings Update, Week #3
We do that too!.. There are a few parks in our city that do huge light displays as well, but driving around the neighborhoods can be just as fun!
I also love the Christmas season… although I’m not a big fan of winter (especially living up here in Wisconsin). I think the reason I love Christmas is that it is a “family holiday” where I spend special and additional time with my immediate family and extended family. There is little else I enjoy more in life – so this in itself makes Christmas so wonderful.
Jason Clayton | frugal habits recently posted..7 ways to enjoy Traveling, have an amazing Vacation, and still be Frugal
I am not big on cold weather either… but luckily, few of the Christmas activities actually take place outside!
Except for putting up the lights, and the weather has cooperated in that respect so far..
Ahh…love this post! And LOVE Christmas Vacation! That and Elf are on repeat for the entire month in my house
Happy holidays!
The Happy Homeowner recently posted..120 Holiday Gifts Under $20
Elf is hilarious as well.. Very nice choice!
This was such a sweet post. You have a beautiful family. I hope y’all enjoy putting up the tree this year and all of these great traditions! I enjoyed participating in this party with you!
Thank you for the wonderfully sweet comment, Cat.. We have really been enjoying the season so far!.. I loved your post too!
Isn’t that funny? I laugh harder every time I see Christmas Vacation now….
AverageJoe recently posted..Year End Tax Planning: A (Surprising) System of Cleaning My Closet
It really grows on you, doesn’t it!!
Time flies very fast. Christmas is my favorite season also. This is the time of sharing and time to reunite with your friends and love ones. The sad part of this season is that we’re getting older again:) and the kids grow so fast.
Lynne recently posted..Why I Become a Coach
Yeah.. everyone gets older each year, but Christmas is really ageless. It makes me feel like a kid again.. That is a big part of why I love it so much!
Time does go by far too quickly! That’s an awesome post. It’s so great that you’ve been fortunate enough to experience such fond memories of Christmas as both a child and a parent.
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