How do you celebrate holidays?
It really depends on which holiday it is. Understandably, some holidays get more attention than others.
When the kids were younger, I wanted to make everything more special for them, give them pleasant experiences and memories, establish precious traditions for them… Well, I’ve learned that when they’re little, you have to have photo or video evidence of your efforts for them because they won’t be able to recall. All my hard work was shoved to the distant recesses of their memory.
I think all those everything heart-shaped Valentine’s Day or Easter baskets and egg hunts or Cat in the Hat costumes and green eggs and ham breakfasts for Dr. Seuss’ birthday were mostly for me. It was for them too. I loved to see them having fun, but I myself wanted to have those moments with them. They’re in my memory.
Anyway, my energy levels dipped with every arrival of another baby (admittedly, my youngest got a very different mother from the one my eldest got) and with every year added to my age. My enthusiasm waned too. Life got a little more hectic and, at times, downright toxic. With every heartbreak and the regular reminder of the world I know ending gradually and abruptly all at once, my observation of holidays became less and less of a priority.
With the kids much bigger these days and my eldest actually becoming an adult (numerically) this year, I think I’m getting my second wind.
I’m more mellow these days, but I want to make holidays more special again. My vivacity will never be what it once was, but I feel motivated. Traditions will be revived and decorating with pizzazz and jazz hands will be resumed (It was a little too much, I admit. One year, I had three Christmas trees up. The past two Christmases, I didn’t even bother with a tree. J’accused the cats, but I was really just too tired. I’m happy to note that I’m once again looking forward to decorating.).
The biggest holiday for my family is clearly Christmas. I’ll be editing our family December bucket list (Yas! I had a bucket list for the seasons, the holidays, etc.) to suit the stage we’re at, but all the meaningful bits will be there, and I hope the spirit of the season will be just as palpable.
This Small Life 