I like the baking. I like home baked holiday food. Cinnamon rolls, so many different kinds of cookies and nut breads and peanut butter balls. My daughter makes the candy now! I love to share time in the kitchen with my daughter. I loved baking with my kids when they were home.
I like the shopping. I like figuring out what the perfect gift is and then finding it. I like the excuse to give my kids money. I really like online shopping!
I like the movies. It's a Wonderful Life. Elf. Miracle on 34th Street. The Santa Claus, 1, 2, and 3! I watch them every year. I like the t.v. cartoons, especially Charlie Brown.
I like the parties. I like hosting our work party. I like the Christmas clothes and jewelry. I love "ugly sweaters". I have great Christmas pins.
I like Christmas cards and letters. It is the only time of the year I hear from some people. I think about the letter I am going to write all year and I plan the pictures. I often say "this is the one for the letter" !!
I like the giving. I like helping the food bank. I like helping people to have a better Christmas, a better life. I like the fact that people are willing to be so generous.
I like the traditions. We celebrated Christmas the exact same way every year, even after the kids grew up and brought their families home.
I like Santa Claus and all of his incarnations, St. Nick, etc. I like the concept of a fat man in red clothes and a beard bringing presents. I really like Christmas stockings.
I like the story of Christmas. I like Jesus in the manger. I look for the star and the angels in the sky. A well done Christmas Eve service, especially at midnight, will truly transport you to God.
That is the like list.
I don't like the controversies over Christmas. I don't like people using Christmas to fight over semantics. Say whatever you want, just say it with joy. I don't like people complaining about public decorations. Just put it all up. I like menorahs. I think Kwanza lights are beautiful. Stop whining and fighting and using religion as the excuse.
I don't like the obligation that Christmas gift giving causes. Should we exchange gifts? Do I have to give them something if they give me something? What if I don't like or don't want what I got. (Return or re-gift.. come on everyone does it!) I think gift giving should be from your heart. Give what you feel you want to give and leave the rest go, without guilt.
I don't like the job of retail at Christmas. It kind of spoils the magic. Really long hours at work. We always said that Scrooge was really a jeweler! Dealing with the gift buying public is not always as fun as it sounds!!
I don't like the bone crushing seasonal depression that afflicts so many people during the holidays. I don't like feeling homesick.
I don't like the way all of the holiday food makes me feel. (God forbid that I not eat it!) I don't like the total lack of regular meals and vegetables, because of our work schedule.
I don't like the fact that good people, in difficult economic times, feel deprived at Christmas. I really don't like that children are the biggest victims of the deprivation.
The biggest dislike I have is that I no longer get to see my children at Christmas. Being in retail means that you can never travel until after Christmas eve, so seeing anyone out of town just does not happen.
In spite of my too long list of dislikes, I am tearing up at the old favorite Christmas carols, reading all the cards and letters, and watching a Christmas special on t.v. while eating wonderful holiday homemade goodies.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
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