Thursday, December 07, 2006

Who Needs Mistletoe??

As I got up for work the other day I stepped out onto the balcony to take in the sunrise. The crisp morning air chilled my bones as I took in a deep breath.

“Calm down,” I told myself. Just breathe.

The holidays.

No two other words can bring a feeling of such joy mixed with such dread at the same time.

On the upside – the clothing in the stores is amazing (though I am not buying any I promise), the lights are beautiful, the house smells of pumpkin pie, warm roasted nuts (yes I roast my own nuts haha), and beautiful Christmas music (sorry fellow Jews we are lacking on great holiday music.). There are festivities and parties galore – I have 5 in the next three weeks. People give presents and there is nothing like spending a chilly night cuddled up on the sofa with some hot cocoa and a warm body. The food is great and there seems to be some magic in the air. Did I mention presents? Yes, presents are a definite upside. I love presents (don’t worry, giving and receiving) and I love opening up these little surprises and seeing what people get when they think of you. Large or small – all great.

Then we have the downside. – The stress of finding good gifts, the stress of figuring out what to get the essentials (like your boss), what to wear to the actual parties, people fighting in line at the mall, people arguing over who is going to get your parking space and then blocking your way out while they duke it out (yes that happened to me), the stress of getting your entire odd ball family into one room just so you can listen to what a conversation might be when you get into said room the following: a republican (or a bunch), a couple liberals, one green party, one optimistic but overly worrisome Jewish mother, one pessimist, one stoned grandpa who can give a shit what anyone is saying, one great-grandmother who can’t hear what anyone is saying but pretends to anyway, and one 25 year old woman who must deal with such questions like, “what guy are you dating?”, “tell me every detail of your new job”, “ why don’t you marry _ _ _ “ (yes I still get that question after I have been friends with _ _ _ for years) and of course my favorite – the mix between “you look great!” and “oh you look way too skinny dahling, are you eating”?

With all that said, I really do love the holidays. It is my favorite time of year (starting November 6th of course), and I look forward to it once again this year. Now if I could just get all my gift shopping done, bake my most fabulous pumpkin pie, glazed almonds, chocolate rum pie, and gingerbread – I will be all set. I have my “Santa’s Baby” red jacket, my “Who needs Mistletoe?” panties, my shopping list, and my calendar full….

Now all I have to do is stop and breathe.

What are everyone’s plans for the holiday? Anything fun?

16 comments:

Unknown said...

if you can still step out on your balcony, it is NOT cold - mine has a FOOT of snow on it, AND IT IS STILL FALLING!!!!

i see a ski trip in my imandent future

deepsat said...

well its time for some good fun!! i liked your concept of stress in this context!! LOL!!

i am having a quiet one this year at home! no parties as such!!

hav fun!!

;-))

Anonymous said...

Nothing special for me this year. New country, new city, and friends that don't celebrate the holiday.

All the gifts that I do get for others will have to be ordered and sent or purchased through third parties which makes it a little more difficult but it gets done.

Guess I'll be living vicariously through you and a few others this year ;^)

Scott said...

I get the same questions my friend. The Holidays are such good times.

I have many a party that I am attending as well... always seems to be something going on around the Holidays.

Scott

Thomas said...

Are you saying some loser created the myth of mistletoe?

twobuyfour said...

I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. It sounds like your family is just strange enough to be normal.

Next weekend we're heading down to NYC on Saturday to see The City all dressed up for Christmas. I'm pretty excited. I figure we'll skate at 30 Rock, ride a hansom through Central Park, drool on the diamonds at Tiffany's, and make fools of ourselves at F.A.O.Shwartz. If you think of any other "must do's" in NYC let me know.

minijonb said...

I'm going to do a couple of holiday parties with Lit-girl and then head up north to spend some time with the family far way from all the commercial crap.

Have a great holiday season!

Ike said...

Sorry I've been so long gone, but it's nice to see you still roast your own nuts. I know the feeling about the holidays. My Dad and I (we are in biz together) happen to frequent the food court where I have overheard some of the most unusual and shocking holiday stories (to be blogged about at a later date). I guess tis' the season to sometimes diss the season.

Anonymous said...

I love the holidays too. Mainly the long break from work! We usually visit both sets of parents but are usually home on Christmas day so little miss can play with her stuff. We always have party type food on Christmas Day even when it's just us around here. And also spend the entire day in pjs.....which is the ultimate! :)

Keshi said...

Keshi needs mistletoe and a man to kiss underneath it.

Keshi.

Keshi said...

aww where r ya? Missin ya...

Happy New Year Rach!

Keshi.

Dz said...

Miss you a lot!
Please come back and make us laugh and wonder about your questions:)

mollymcmo said...

new post, new post, new post!!!!

hope all is well :)

m

Keshi said...

Missin ya Rach...hope ur well.

Keshi.

carmilevy said...

Where's Rachel?

Hope you're doing OK. Zing us a note when you start posting again, k? Your voice is missed.

Avijit said...

I like your post.

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