How do you salvage something positive from a year that has been so incredibly...icky? You host kickass holidays!
That's my goal, anyway, and, here's how I intend to do it:
1. Host the best Thanksgiving dinner ever. Mom arrives from Mayberry this Wednesday or Thursday and she will be staying throughout the remainder of the year. My sister and nephew will arrive the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and will spend the holiday weekend with us. I fully intend to spoil them all rotten with the traditional feast, board games, and tons of relaxation.
2. Watch alllll the Christmas movies. I'm already fully entrenched in the Hallmark Channel, but I'm talking classic Christmas fare like Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and A Christmas Story, etc.
3. Bake like it's my job. Back in 2011, I did a 25 Days of Christmas baking series on this blog; I posted 23 recipes. When I gave up sugar three years ago, I slacked off on the holiday baking. This year, while I am determined to return to a sugar-free lifestyle (we all know 2020 pushed me off the wagon, no need to beat myself up), I fully intend to join my mother in the kitchen, baking allll of those same treats.
4. Worry less about presents and focus more on presence. I'm really not comfortable with the thought of shopping in stores. Wearing a mask for extended periods of time gives me anxiety and makes me lightheaded, and, you can only order so much online. Besides, the true meaning of Christmas isn't something that can be purchased, and, if 2020 has taught us anything, it should be that.
5. Tour the Christmas lights in Neighboring City. Several years ago, we loaded up the Tahoe, grabbed Starbucks, and drove around Neighboring City checking out the amazing displays in several neighborhoods. With the emphasis being on staying home this year; I have a feeling that people will be going all out again. I'm especially hopeful that one subdivision, in particular, will be decked out to the degree that it was back in 2016; it was completely magical.
6. Carry on traditions: gingerbread house decorating, popcorn ball making, and new pajamas on Christmas Eve.
7. Send out cards this year. I haven't done that for the past several years, but, if ever there was a year to check in on friends and family afar, this is the year to do it.
8. Deck the halls in a most merry way. My plan for the porch involves a retro theme, complete with vintage colored lights and more tacky blow molds than any one person has a right to display. Speaking of which, guess who scored the pieces necessary to complete her blow mold nativity? This girl! Hugh is now in charge of building a stable out of wood pallets. He's thrilled.
It's going to be the merriest Christmas that I can possibly pull off. I am crossing my fingers that the stupid Covid doesn't ruin it (please, oh please, let the Man-Cub make it home on December 14th, like he is scheduled to, Lord. Amen), and, I have to have faith that 2021 will be a lot kinder to us all.
And, now I have Faith, by the late George Michael playing in my head on repeat. Cause we've got to have faith, a faith, a faith!
You are welcome for the ear worm.
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