Christmas was good. It was different, but good. I can't really explain the difference but ever since my mother, the Matriarch of the family, has been in a nursing home, our Christmas traditions have been shaken. We no longer have the huge Christmas Eve blow out that we always have had. Instead, that night is spent alone with our small families. Which means Alex and I are together alone. That is a huge difference for me and something that is taking me some time to get used to. Right now, it rather depresses me. I don't like change when it's inflicted upon me. But then, I look around at our little home and all of the wonderful gifts we got and our little tree with all it's shining Christmas glory and tradition and I can't be depressed for very long.
And since it is now OUR traditions we are making we don't have to adhere to anyone else's time line for when we choose to have dinner, drinks, or even open our presents. So, in the words of the cast of the musical "Mame", we needed a little Christmas, right that very minute - and we opened our gifts to each other two days early. And even though I thought I was regretting that decision, it was the perfect decision. We took the pressure out of our Christmas and did it our way.
Now I don't want to brag but I am a big baby head at heart and I have never, ever grown out of that excited feeling when someone gives me a present. Oh, I love to give presents too, don't get me wrong! But getting presents is great! And I'm not ashamed to say I love it! What's more, my dear husband completely outdid himself this year! I should be ashamed to have this much stuff. Seriously.
He not only got me practical, yet high end tech toys, he managed to get me a bunch of really personalized thoughtful gifts too. I got the iPad air, and a Kindle paperwhite, and new headphones. I also got a really cool shirt, a new Swedish tea cup (I love tea!), a bunch of art supplies - new sketchpad with complete sketching set, a copy of "Franny and Alexander" - one of my favorite Bergman films, and a Clay Matthews bobble head! He knows I love me some Green Bay Packers and that Clay is my personal favorite. All that from a guy who can't stand to be in the same room with me when the game is on! Who knew he was paying attention all that time! I love him so much.
Ironically, we duplicated our high end gifts to one another. I was trying to get him the new PS4 but my chances of getting that before Christmas was slim to none. So it was the iPad air and the Kindle Paper white for him as well along with a slew of other things like clothes for running and a new really cool jacket.
So we celebrated our way. Gave each other a load of cool stuff and opened it all early. And you know what? Even though change is hard and getting used to new traditions isn't easy for me, this was a great Christmas. One I wouldn't trade for the world. Because I got to spend it with someone I love very much and that is what Christmas has always meant to me.
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