December 2, 2008

Is it Christmas yet?

I realize now why Advent calendars were invented. It is merely a convenient way to visually assist a 3 year old through the month of December without having a panic attack that he may have missed the Big Day. I mean, not that my own personal Ankle Biter would pester me endlessly with such silly questions. Not six times on the very first day of December itself. Never. Ever.

*sigh*

Last night, we decorated the tree. I am sure Arun and Anjali will treasure all those precious, sweet, gooeylicious memories of me screeching at them constantly to just not break shit, great balls of fire, don't touch, DON'T TOUCH, what the fuck did I tell you already, put it down! PUT IT DOWN!

But really? I am enjoying the holidays thus far. Thanksgiving was a snap. And my Christmas shopping? Is nearly completed although I have only just began. Awesome. I will do one single foray into the mall and the madness, but I really do not have much shopping planned. Furthermore, I am hoping to do most of my shopping in brick and mortar stores as I am trying to buy as much possible from local vendors this year.

I am definitely in the holiday mood this year and frankly, my family has so much to do with it. Our keeping it simple this year was the best idea ever. I feel now I can focus on the fun stuff - listening to music, driving around to see Christmas lights, going to some Christmas tree festivals and seeing some gingerbread house exhibits. And? I am even contemplating baking some Romanian kiflis. Yes, I have lost my mind, folks.

One of my favorite memories from Christmas are the stockings. Long after we had stopped believing in Santa Claus, my sister and I still looked forward to our stockings. At both our Mom's house and our Dad and Step-Mom's, we always got stockings full of fun little things - candy, lip gloss, sunflower seeds, nail polish, sardines (I LOVE sardines) and all sorts of doo dads. I am SO excited about the stockings for my own little family. Earlier this year, I had commissioned some from Brit through her Etsy store, Thrown and Sewn. I could not be more thrilled with what she just sent. I hope my children treasure their stocking memories as much I treasure mine.


12 comments:

LL said...

Those are adorable!! I'm on a hunt for stockings- I can't decide if I should go cheap since our family is (hopefully) not complete and I want everyone's to go together in the end or buy something nice and hope I can find something that blends in for new additions in the years to come.

D. Jain said...

How cute! Now I'm inspired to make our own stockings this year. We just got back from India and brought my MIL with us--we got her a chocolate Advent calendar and I bet she'd get a kick out of a stocking too (she's Jain and this is her first time celebrating Christmas with us).

Marathon Mom said...

I love them! They look very folk artsy with a little Dr. Seuss mixed in.

Average Jane said...

I love all the stockings, but Arun has the best one EVAR!

Dooneybug said...

Cute stockings! I've always loved the trinkets in my stocking too. I bought two cheap advent calendars at the store that have little chocolates behind the numbers. We started them last night with both kids and they thought that was pretty cool. I'm eyeing the wooden advent calendar at Target for the after Christmas sale shopping. I think it would be so much fun to hide little gifts in the boxes for the kids!

Jenny said...

did you know there's a LEGO Advent Calendar? We just ordered one. My kids can hardly wait. :)

Anonymous said...

Heh. We went with the $0.99 cent Advent Calendar at Trader Joe's. How handy that I strolled in there on the 1st!

Anonymous said...

I really like how they match your couch. Grin!

The Gori Wife said...

I love the boys' - so unique and personal!

elizasmom said...

I soooo hear you on the Advent Calendar. We got one of those cheesy pillows with the little pockets in it from some relatives a while back and it is saving my sanity this month so far. "When is it going to be CHRISTMAS, MOMMY?!"

Dee said...

I saw your stockings on Flickr last night and I love them! Stockings were always one of my favorites as a kid too. I loved sorting through the little goodies inside!

Rozanne said...

OMG!!!! Those are such cute stockings. I adore the curly toe detail and the fact that they are personalized!!!