Monday, December 8, 2008

Does This Mean I'm a Grownup?

Sad, but true...the first thought I had last week when the kids started wondering when we were going to put the tree up and decorate the house was, Didn't I just take all this stuff down?

17 comments:

Monica Cassani said...

I have never had a tree in my adult life and have no interest in ever having one...

and that goes for all other christmas decorations as well.

maybe that's why I don't have children...

Anonymous said...

Yes, Jazz, I think it does. Xmas is only fun when you're a kid, or when you have small children. Once they're older and all the "magic" is gone, it's not the same, and is more chore than joy. But every year I kill myself with all the decorating: 3 trees, outdoor lights, indoor decorations upstairs and down in every room but the bedrooms, office or rec room, and lights in all the windows, plus all the shopping and wrapping, and finally Xmas Eve dinner. I try to make each Xmas a fairytale Xmas.

I tell the family it's to help them establish memories because in the end when we're lying on our deathbeds, and everyone we've ever known or loved is gone (provided we've lived long enough), and our bodies have failed us, all we have left is our memories, and we should make sure they're good ones.

I know I have many fond memories of Xmas as a kid growing up. I hope our kids (and future grandkids) do, too, but all they'll probably remember is me asking for just the smallest amount of help (we decorated as a family growing up, which made it a fun family event we all looked forward to), Darling Husband bitching about how much he hates looking at the decorations, how they're unnecessary, how he doesn't like it, and me getting angry with him for being such an obstinate jerk about it, and how he has sucked the life and joy out of yet another thing in my life that I used to enjoy doing (like...ahem...marital relations), leaving me a bitter old hag.

Jazz said...

Gianna,
I really don't think we need all the trappings. I don't. To me, it's just a celebration of family and togetherness. But the kids look forward to the decorating and the cookies and the anticipation.

But when we don't have kids at home anymore, I predict our holiday celebrations will be a lot simpler.

Jazz said...

RamblingMad,
Oh...dear...looks like I hit a nerve. Sorry...

Monica Cassani said...

Jazz,
I hope you didn't think I was judging you...frankly my memories of Christmas uniformly suck and I hate the holiday with a passion, but I totally understand that you would want to do this stuff for your kids...

in any case, I'm the oddball here, not you!

Jazz said...

Of course I don't feel like you're judging me, Gianna!

I just sometimes feel like society (and family, of course!) pressures me into celebrating a holiday that I'd really rather not buy into.

I try to look at it as celebrating the solstice or the new year, but honestly, if it was just me and hubby, I'd just donate a chunk of change to my favorite charity and not bother with all the consumerism.

Jazz said...

And you're not an oddball...
I also have memories of Christmases that totally sucked, and I get where you're coming from!

susan said...

What is an adult?

I like that song that goes"I won't grow up!"

The kids should help keep you young!

And you are never too old to not believe in Santa.

Annie said...

Jazz, I share your feelings about decorations and wish for things to be simple. The most fun I had was to have a tree on my deck. The lights gave the birds warmth and we put fruit and bird seed ornaments. Peace, Annie

Radagast said...

Hey,

Me and a couple of the guys have been tinkering around with a new blog award, this past couple of months, or so...

I just wanted to let you know that I'm making an award to you, in this, the inaugural ceremony (for wont of a better word). Please see:

http://itsquiteanexperience.blogspot.com/2008/12/inaugural-hoy-awards.html

Strictly speaking you're not supposed to get this until Christmas Day, but we figured a bunch of people might be away visting, and whatnot, at that time, so we're sending them out, now.

Anyway, Merry Christmas!

Matt

Jeanne Estridge said...

Just dropped by to congratulate you on your Hoy award -- and I can see why you won it.

If I had my way, I'd put my tree up on Christmas Eve and take it down the day after Christmas. I prefer my holidays short but intense. But, like you, I extend the time to avoid accusations of Grinchiness.

BTW -- liked the meme -- and, interestingly, George Winston's December is my favorite Christmas album, with Mannheim Steamroller coming in near the top, too.

Jazz said...

Susan,
I think I'm still young at heart...I just think sometimes it gets all sort of buried under the weight of parental responsibility...

Jazz said...

Annie,
I love the idea of a tree on the deck...decorated with an ever-changing array of birds...I love that image!

Jazz said...

Matt--
Thank-you very much!
I will be passing it along, but probably not until after the holidays...I am way pressed for time right now...
Happy Holidays to you!

Jazz said...

Jeanne,
Thanks so much for stopping by!

I checked out your recipe for the declicious appetizer, and thought it was an awesome idea, especially this week when there is so much to be done...appetizers for dinner are quite appealing, aren't they? I'm thinking chips and dip fits into at least two food groups...veggies and dairy...and I suppose if I got bacon bits in the dip, I'd have the meat covered, too!

soulful sepulcher said...

I secretly dream of Christmas on a cruiseship with no worries. (and no cooking or decorating or any of it)

Jazz said...

Stephany--
Wouldn't that be lovely? Or better yet, a little hideaway on a tropical island, where someone brings you wonderful food, whisks away the dishes, and leaves you alone the rest of the time? That would be my ideal xmas...actually, my ideal vacation...