I do love Christmas lights. It makes me happy when my husband puts lights on our house. We like to drive around and see other festive displays, too. That is one of the best parts of Christmas to me.
I don't like the extra traffic. I hate the crowds at the mall. I can't take all the sales ads and commercials, always making you wonder if you got the best deal. I hate trying to figure if I got enough presents for the kids - and if I got them something they will really like. I hate wrapping gifts. I hate the mess after they are unwrapped. Yes, I am a Grinch.
I'm not much of a New Year's Eve person either. Even when I was younger and single, I didn't really care for going out that night. I don't mind watching fireworks - in my own neighborhood - and as long as it isn't too cold outside.
There are a couple of people in our neighborhood who must have way too much expendable income because they shoot off a lot of the expensive, pretty fireworks. This year, since there was a light rain falling in addition to the chilly temp, my husband and I - being alone at home this year - sat on the front porch with a fire in his new fire pit (my Christmas gift to him), watching the fireworks display. At midnight, we toasted with chamomile tea. I guess we really are getting old.
In years past, my husband would buy a lot of fireworks because our daughter liked them. I always saw them as money being set on fire.... (Can you be a New Year's Scrooge?) My son would be up in his room with the door closed, refusing to come out to see the fireworks. My daughter would usually have on or two friends over and they would be in and out of the house, shooting fireworks, drinking sparkling grape juice, and generally making a huge mess inside and out. I miss those days though. This year, our son was with his girlfriend at his apartment near the university he attends. Our daughter went to a party with a friend. It was a pretty quiet end to 2013 and start to 2014. The best thing about not buying fireworks - in addition to the money you save - is not having a mess to clean up the next day!
Even though I lack holiday spirit - a trait my aunt says I got from my mother, who she reminded me was very fond of the term, "Bah, Humbug!" - I still feel a post holiday let down. Life is getting back to "normal," i.e. hectic. The house is slowly getting back to its pre-holiday look, i.e. messy. I feel a little empty...a little sad...and a lot broke.
Don't get me started on Valentines Day!
