I’m the first to admit that I’m a complete grouch when it comes to vacations. The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s are definitely not my favorite time of year. I do not like the cold; I don’t like commercialism; I don’t like what gift exchange has become; and I don’t like the stress of gatherings (families pushing everyone around and getting frustrated with each other).
In the words of Tim Allen on Home Improvement: “Christmas isn’t about being with the people you like! It’s about being with family.” Hahaha.
When I was a kid, I loved Christmas! I enjoyed the tradition of going to my aunt’s house for dinner on Christmas Eve, then coming home and being SO excited to go to bed and open presents in the morning. We often went to the movies or went out to eat Chinese food at Christmas (the only things open). Otherwise, we stayed in our pajamas all day, playing with our new toys.
Everything has changed so much! (Even for today’s children). So, I’m a grinch. However, instead of making a totally depressing post, I thought I’d include Jerry’s thoughts on three things he LOVES about Christmas. Jerry has always ridiculously loved Christmas. He really doesn’t like how he’s gone downhill over the years, but he continues with the nostalgic feelings he feels during the Christmas season.
So, here are three of Jerry’s favorite things about Christmas:
1. Christmas movies and music.
Even though I’m a grinch, the weeks from Thanksgiving to Christmas are entirely Jerry’s; I always promise not to complain about Christmas music or movies or about the Christmas tree taking up a big corner of the living room. I make a special breakfast on Christmas Day. I basically follow Jerry’s lead when it comes to things like that because I want the month to be special for him since he loves it.
Jerry’s favorite Christmas movie is “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I think that’s so random! I saw it with him a couple of years ago and I don’t see any appeal in it: my favorite Christmas movie is “Bad Santa” with the hilarious Billy Bob Thornton, or “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” When I’m looking for something cheesy, I choose “Christmas Shoes.” Jerry watches, in addition to “It’s a Wonderful Life” and the ones I mentioned, “Home Alone,” “A Christmas Story,” Christmas specials like Charlie Brown and Rudolph, and pretty much any Christmas movie he sees on TV.
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| Jerry and his sister Laura. Remember when it was possible to take photos at Sears? |
2. Decorations.
Jerry loves Christmas decorations. Unfortunately, we don’t really have any except our tree! Without having a basement or attic, buying a bunch of decorations would take up a lot of space in the garage for 11 months of the year. However, he likes to drive around and look at the Christmas lights and decorations people have outside, so I’ll do that with him.
Speaking of decorations… just for fun, here’s a short video of Duck coming down from the Christmas tree. HA HA HA. (This was after he had already gone up, knocking down the decorations and even the star at the top). [Normally, I am NOT a vertical video person, but it worked better for this moment.]
3. Nostalgia.
I asked Jerry what Christmas was like for him as a kid and this is what he said:
“We had big family Christmas parties that were a lot like family reunions: everyone was there and all the kids got gifts. I always hope for a white Christmas, because I remember it snowed a lot back then. I was always so excited about buying new toys the Christmas morning. I remember going through the Sears or JC Penny catalog and circling the things I hoped Santa would bring me. I can still remember the feel of those pages, and the catalog was probably thicker than the Bible. .
I remember celebrating at school with classroom parties and Secret Santas. And Santa’s secret shop! At school they had a little store where you could take money and buy gifts for the people on your list. It was all complete rubbish, but it was exciting when I was a kid. I also remember making cut-out sugar cookies and loading them with icing. The cookie shapes never looked like they were supposed to and somehow always ended up looking phallic. The good oldie times.”
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I have to agree with Jerry about the nostalgia. He also loved going through catalogs and circling the things he wanted. I wish catalogs still existed (the old school ones). I think Christmas is more exciting when you’re a kid; You don’t have to do any work or deal with stress and you’ll reap the rewards! Parents were the ones who put the holidays on the calendar and told us what to wear. They dealt with relatives and tried to please everyone, or at least reach an agreement. They cooked food and shopped in chaotic stores that were full of people and then returned home and wrapped gifts.
Once you become an adult, Christmas is totally different, haha ;) But I’m glad Jerry is still in the Christmas spirit. He has been really dizzy while he listens to Christmas music and watches Christmas movies. It’s nice to see his enthusiasm!
I leave you with this photo so you can laugh. Go ahead and have fun! 😉 I don’t know what my mom was thinking with those clothes or my hair.
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| Christmas 1985 |
