Is it just me or has the “Holiday Season” started up ridiculously early this year? I try to avoid malls around Christmastime, so I do all my holiday shopping early, and normally online. The few times I have set foot in a mall, I was horrified to see that Christmas decorations were up in September!! I love Christmas, but I don’t like it when it starts too early. That’s what makes it so special-the anticipation!

I have a rule (well almost a tradition) not to decorate until after Thanksgiving. Because I do love Christmas decorations so much, I usually decorate the day after Turkey day. I figure it’s the perfect day because I typically have work off anyhow.

I really love the Christmas season-from the holiday photo cards I get from friends, to the twinkling Christmas lights outside. It’s a time to get together with people we love. A time to celebrate, and just be cheerful. It is not a time to go broke shopping for presents, or to stress out about gift giving. Since when did the holidays turn into that? Isn’t it sad? So I’ve tried to make it a point to give heartfelt gifts, or make my gifts. That way it’s fun, and not a chore.

I can’t wait to walk around our new neighborhood and check out the suburbs decked out with all the holiday trimmings. There is just something about this season isn’t there? I love the clothes, the food, the decorations, and spending time with those close to me.
What are your favorite things about Christmas?

The boy recently posted a great blog about what to get me for Christmas. It was definitely one of the sweetest posts he’s written about me. What was cool was that he knew what I wanted, and that was before I sent him a list.  Some other things that I want that aren’t something you can buy in stores :

1. To lose about 10 pounds in the next two months would be amazing. So what I’m wishing for is the will power to stick to a workout routine. It’s going to be rough with the holidays too-all the food is so tasty. So I think I’ll just have to work out extra hard whenever I eat anything less than healthy. Fudge? Drop and give me 20!
2. For sure knowing where we are going to live come January. Right now we have a great opportunity, but nothing is for sure. I hate the unknown and it will be so nice to have that all figured out.
3. For the boy to be done with his fire academy-something I will get right before Christmas. I just can’t wait to be able to spend our weekends together. Just the idea of sleeping in and then cooking breakfast sounds like the best present I could ask for.
4. For everything this Christmas to go smoothly with my ridiculously large and extended family. I want to share my Christmas with both my family and the boy’s. My family can be less than understanding of that at times, and it annoys me. This year though, I can’t wait to have the boy with me to share in all the activities!