From Kris

Relationships form easily around common interests like hobbies, books, foods, shared experiences, but we all know that those things aren’t enough to hold a friendship together.  The things that hide in the nooks and crannies of our personalities often erase the goodness found in those surface similarities.

Over the years that Tracey and I have been friends, we are fortunate that those odd little things that often fall into the category of “weird quirks” have drawn us even closer rather than leading our friendship toward shaky ground.  One of the these quirks that we both enjoy is a quiet and simple life.  We are content in our own skin doing our own thing.  A lot of outside excitement is not needed.  In fact, it often has a negative effect on each of us.

Tracey is one of the few people who understands and appreciates the fact that I am not putting a Christmas tree or decorating for Christmas this year.  I could list “reasons” for this, but the bottom line is that the “reason for the season” does not exist for me in all of the decorations and their glitz.  Before you call me/us a Scrooge, know that not decorating does not come from a place of “Bah Humbug.”  

The time and energy that I would have spent rearranging the house to make room for Christmas decorations has instead been used to make gifts and do for others.  I have loved this year’s holiday knitting.  A lack of tree does not mean that there is a lack of holiday spirit at my house.  For me, much of the “feeling” of Christmas comes from music.  I can fill the house with holiday cheer simply by asking Alexa to play my favorite Christmas music while I continue to knit or bake for others, without missing a beat.

And, Tracey sends us a Bumpy Cake each year at Christmas.  It doesn’t take much more than that to be cheered! 🙂

Honestly, I feel more joy without the stress of “making” it look like someone else’s idea of Christmas and enjoying what works for us.  There comes a point in life where you have to choose to do what is best for you and not worry about what society says you should do!!!  That said, if going all out with Christmas decorations brings you true joy, do it!  No judgement here!  The greatest gift you can give to yourself is authenticity.  Don’t be afraid to unwrap and use it.

Though my house may not look like Christmas, my heart is filled with the greatest gift – love, the kind of love that does not flow inward from the world, but rather from deep inside my soul and radiates outward.

May holiday blessings fill your hearts this year.

from Tracey

It seems that time Kris and I are always discovering one more thing that truly represents the phrase “kindred spirits”! As she stated, our need to not decorate if we so choose, is just one more thing. I too have taken that extra energy that would/could be used to decorate and rolled it into more making – and depending on the year, be that baking or knitting etc.  I’m too old to worry about “what I should do”, and I feel that through the years so much time has been wasted on that sort of thing, and not just limited to decorating!

I’ve kind of come to the conclusion that stressing over decorating seems really silly, so if it’s a year that it feels more like chore than a fun thing to do, I need to rethink it. Rethink it and lessen the stress. And honestly, with the type of person I am, it can be a huge source of stress. I’d much rather be happy and relaxed enjoying my time around here with my family than being frazzled because I totally overbooked myself, with things I “should” be doing. As much as I love holiday baking, and usually do it every year – there is something freeing about just deciding that it’s not going to get done this year. I never realized just how stressful it could be to get it all done, until I started cutting myself some slack. One of these days I really need to start early in the year, like June and bake and freeze everything I can!

Which, by the way, speaking of reducing stress and starting early, I’ve been working on my knitted gifts for months now, I started early this year and am I glad I did! Yes, there is still a ton to do – mostly finishing and getting them wrapped up etc. but that aspect is a lot less stressful than still having on the needles! (Shoot, I still have Christmas gifts to give from last year, on top of this year’s, since our usual Holiday plans were preempted last year!) But being able to relax and enjoy the process of the making has been wonderful, and I know that’s contributed to my relaxed state of mind! I’m rather proud of myself! 😉

But, in all this, that’s not to say that when Harry was little we skipped out on putting up a tree etc., nope, we always had the trappings The Littles expect and love. But now that he’s old enough to be mad that we lied about Santa (insert eye-roll here), he gets a say as well. If he’s cool without having a tree up or anything else, that’s good enough for me too. I’ve have noticed that some years I want to decorate and some years it’s the last thing on my mind, and that either way it’s ok. I let it be ok.

I guess, when it’s all boiled down, what Kris and I are both saying is that there’s no right or wrong way to celebrate the season in the way that brings you joy. We’ve both come to the conclusion that it shouldn’t be something that takes away from your enjoyment, and, that it’s more about how you should feel than what you should do.

So let your Merry and Bright shine however you like – and know that it’s ok whatever you decide, because when it’s done (or not done!) with love, you can’t go wrong! 😀

Wishing you and yours much happiness and many blessings this Holiday Season!!