(no subject)

[gwendolyngrey]

"The plum-pudding was of the same handsome roundness as ever, and came in with the symbolic blue flames around it, as if it had been heroically snatched from the nether fires into which it had been thrown by dyspeptic Puritans."
~George Eliot~ The Mill on the Floss

Christmas is all the more special to me due to our non-observance of all "holy days" during my childhood.  My Puritanical parents (and this is not a slur against them, for they really do strive to emulate the Puritans in many regards) did not celebrate or observe Easter, Good Friday, Lent, Ascension Day, or even Christmas.  We would go to my grandparents on Christmas Eve and exchange gifts to maintain peace within the family; but at our house there was never a tree or decorations or stockings or presents.  Time has mellowed these views, and there are now slight concessions... although there is still no tree (as it's a pagan notion anyway), subtle "seasonal" decorations have crept into the house, and as a family we exchange gifts on New Years Day instead of not at all.

I remember when I was little how in awe I was of Christmas lights and decor, and how I would be utterly enraptured by a tree, taking the time to pore over every ornament.  I liked nothing better than driving home from church in the evening during December, and looking at all the Christmas lights in the neighborhood.
 
Now that I'm an "adult" and out on my own, I take a somewhat inordinate pleasure in decorating and preparing for Christmas. Even if we still don't do much of anything as a family, it's highly satisfying to finally be able to indulge in what little beauties winter can afford.  And I always love to give people things, and there is no excuse like Christmas for getting gifts for people... I always, always end up doing and spending slightly more than I can afford, but somehow, I never mind.

Comments

[jubilima.livejournal.com]

That's a lovely sentiment, Gwendolyn. Well-said. :)

[ktlovely.livejournal.com]

You should come visit my Christmas tree. It's fake, but it's sparkly and pretty and the vast majority of the ornaments mean something special.