Both Fred and I grew up with white Christmases and, despite now spending upwards of seven holiday seasons in the tropics, still have to work hard to create the mood around our house.
Fred and I worked feverishly during the first weekend in December to put up the Christmas decorations while Simon was down for a nap. He woke up while we were in the middle of decorating the tree and proceeded to wreak havoc. Fred was obliged to take him for a swim while I finished putting ornaments on the tree and then installing it in a place that Simon can't reach. Having a toddler in a house full of breakable Christmas ornaments is as bad as having a cat and single-strand tinsel.
My mother gifted me with a trio of very cute fat cat ornaments a few years back which occupy a prominent place on the tree. Simon noticed those immediately and once he got over not being able to finger them, just contented himself with pointing to them every thirty seconds and saying "chat" or meowing. Very cute the first day... not so cute ten days in.
Fred and I have talked a lot about what Christmas traditions we would like to perpetuate with our son. Do we open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Do we take turns opening presents like my family does or just dive into them like Fred's family? Do we have our big meal on the 24th or the 25th (or both of those days like they do in France)?
We will most likely be fluid on a lot of these traditions depending on where we spend the holiday and with which family. But one tradition that I am not willing to compromise on, and that Fred has adopted whole-heartedly, is the hanging of the stockings.
My stocking was made soon after I was born by my Grandmother Ellan. She is a talented knitter who made stockings for my whole family. These stockings have taken on a special significance given that they are only brought out once a year and subsequently filled to bursting with goodies! Fred and I have taken to buying one major present for ourselves (this year it's a new computer with all the bells and whistles) and then filling eachother's stockings. Simon will not only get a stocking but a bevy of gifts as well. I don't think he quite understands what's about to hit him!
I am proud to be a self-proclaimed, talented gift-giver. I love the forethought that goes into each gift, the act of purchasing it, wrapping it up and either sending it off or watching a loved-one open it up. Fred struggles every year to think of good gifts to fill my stocking. This year, he had an excellent idea. He had this large bouquet of seasonal flowers delivered to the house for me a week ahead of Christmas so that we could enjoy them in the approach to the holidays. Can I get a "AWWWWW?"
With two pre-Christmas dinners, three pre-Christmas lunches, a Christmas Eve cocktail and a Christmas Day food orgy with good friends in view, it's shaping up to be an excellent holiday season.
Hi you sweet family: It is wonderful at Christmas time with a little boy to help celebrate isn't it? The surprise and excitement watching him open his presents and seeing the tree for the first time and watching him play with everything at once!!!I am sitting here smiling just thinking of it!! Seems strange seeing warm weather and you in the swimming pool at Christmas time. We have had an interesting winter so far with out snow and really some warm weather here in Michigan. It is 47 degrees today, now that is strange huh? Have a wonderful new year you guys I send lots of love and hugs for all, Love Auntie Beth
Posted by: Beth Grochowalski | January 07, 2012 at 12:05 PM
What a beautiful arrangement and how sweet to think of sending it early! I love it. Merry Christmas to the three of you! Love, Marissa, Mark and Sofia :)
Posted by: Marissa | December 23, 2011 at 03:37 AM
Your house looks very festive! How thoughtful of Fred to order those beautiful flowers. I love the part about Simon and the fat cats. We had our Christmas tree up on tables for a few years when you all were small. Then we wired the trees into the wall so neither kids nor cats could topple them. Your Christmas plans sound wonderful. We head over to CA on Friday.
Posted by: MomGates | December 21, 2011 at 02:51 AM
All of your Christmas traditions sound lovely and all can be incorporated a bit- can you just see it? "On the count of 3 tear into the present, okay, now hold back, let everyone open them one at a time". Our tradition was to just open on gift Christmas Eve and the whole lot Christmas day, not that original but we did it every year :-)
Happy Holidays, friends!
Posted by: amy jo | December 20, 2011 at 07:51 PM