“Mom, when can we make my Christmas list?”
The day after Halloween they arrived, the holiday toy catalogs. Actually one arrived the week before Halloween and I made the mistake of letting Jack have it. Cause apparently I opened the Pandora’s box that is Christmas and every day since Halloween I’ve been swamped with a barrage of “is it closer to Christmas today” and “will we make a list for Santa today”.
The other morning he woke up wanting to watch Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas. And I thought it’s going to be a long holiday season.
And John said, “I thought you would be happy about that”. But this time of year is overwhelming having just wrapped a vacation and Halloween and still having to plan Jack’s birthday and host Thanksgiving. I feel like I can’t even think about Christmas.
Then yesterday in the grocery store he asked about the Santa train that we rode last year. And at dinner he told me about how Santa is going to travel around the world and deliver presents to all the boys and girls.
And it hit me, this enthusiasm, this joy is going to be so short lived. This level of excitement isn’t going to last forever and I can fight it or I can embrace it.
And I’m choosing to embrace it. I choose to embrace his joy and enthusiasm even if it is 3 weeks early.
So maybe we will be watching Christmas movies a bit early and maybe to me it feels like I’m giving into the commercialized, retail side of the holiday. But there is a little boy who is so excited and I only have so many years to enjoy the magic of the season.
Yesterday we made his list for Santa and he said, “Mom this is going to be the best Christmas ever!” And I’m going to do everything I can to make it be.
What a great attitude! My LO is only a month old (wait- a month! It went to fast!) but I look forward to embracing her joy when she expresses it- no matter how early! It is only for a short time!
It's not worth fighting it. I love the holiday season and the earlier I get started, the less stressed I am and the more I can enjoy it. So, this mama will be embracing it 🙂
I love your shift in perspective. I also noticed how quickly the marketing world pounced on the holiday the day after Halloween. ~ Stacey
For once, I hated the giant Target catalog (also filled with tons of coupons) coming in the mail! It's all I have heard about for the past week. At least they waiting until around halloween, instead of sending it with the back to school stuff! 🙂
I love his enthusiasm! It's waning with my boys. It's still there, but not like it was. And I miss it.
I wish it would start a little later, but embracing it sure is the better way to go!
Great perspective! I'm trying to keep this mentality too!
Now I am in the mood to put on some Christmas music! Pandora here I come!
My kids are the same way. The morning after Halloween they asked if we could go to the toy store so they could make their list for Christmas and birthdays. I don't fight it, I love Christmas so we just get to enjoy the season a little longer.
Awe, so sweet! Yes, they are excited for only a short time. Let's make the most of it!
You need to! I spent too much time upset about this or that about my kids' disability until I finally figured out that my kids need me in the here & now AND to enjoy it with them. Relax, it'll all be fine 🙂
Ahhh! I'm still not ready!!! 😉
But we have an inflatable turkey, so I really want him to come out and play first!!
You are so right, the joy and excitement of Christmas will only last so many years, so good for you. I will admit my husband and I did watch a Christmas movie a few nights ago.. and last night we bought a bunch of gifts on-line and yeah I am actually pretty excited about Christmas now. My daughter's birthday is this month still too, so yeah lots to do before Christmas.
You know what. We sometimes celebrate early at home especially if we plan to be away. I think each family needs to make their own rules with what works for them.
Estelle