By Heather Webber
The New Year is supposed to represent a fresh start, a clean slate, a chance to begin again. To start that diet that’s been put off. To renew the gym membership. To better ourselves in some way, where it to give more, have more, be more.
But every year when the New Year rolls around, I’m not quite ready for it. After only a week, I’m still going through separation anxiety with Christmas. Months and months of prepping, singing, getting in the spirit, then BOOM, December 26th dawns and all that’s left are big sales and putting away all the decorations I was just getting used to.
It’s probably too much to ask that the New Year be moved back a week or two… So for now I’m dealing with my post holiday blues by keeping up the Christmas-y things a while longer and really appreciating the time spent with my family. For just a while longer I want to hold on to the spirit of the season… Even if the season’s moved on without me.
That’s not too much to ask, is it?
~heather
4 comments:
10 Responses to “Singing The Blues”
1) I am so with you! We’ve only lived in our current house for a year and a half, but I was amazed to see both last Christmas and this year that everyone on my block stops lighting their outdoor lights by New Years Day! (many stopped on Dec 25th) I always thought going to at least the first weekend in January was considered acceptable holiday protocol. (we’re not caving to peer pressure yet though….they’ll be up for a few more days!)
by Vicki on January 2nd, 2009 at 5:37 am e
2) The day after Thanksgiving is when my decorations go up. New Years Day is when they come down. Although, this year everything is still up b/c we’re having a party tonight. Tomorrow is a different story.
We live on a dead end street so we never put up outside lights. Noone would see them.
I’ve had enough of the red and green and carols and wrapping paper. I try to live like I have the Christmas Spirit everyday. Not easy when dealing with Massachusetts drivers
by debbie on January 2nd, 2009 at 9:42 am e
3) This year it seems okay that the season is moving on - both of my kids have their birthdays in January and this year they’re big ones - my daughter is turning 13 and my son is going to be 16! He wants to have a house party with a few of his closest friends (15-20 kids) - so that means me trying to purge/unclutter the basement. This is not going to be pretty. Any suggestions for my daughter - a girl who will be 13 going on 30? She wanted a laptop - I don’t think so yet - she can just use the family computer for now. But she doesn’t want a friend party. Not sure what to do to make the day memorable for her. So, you see, I am in a mad rush to get the Christmas decorations down and the house made party ready! I think I’m looking forward to Valentine’s Day:)
by Ann on January 2nd, 2009 at 9:46 am
4) I’m with Vicki. We’re keeping out outdoor lights on until January 6th. And the tree up, too. It took me soooooo long to decorate it, I’m going to enjoy it for as long as possible. (And besides, it takes just as long to UNdecorate it.)
by Lorna Barrett on January 2nd, 2009 at 10:05 am
5) I’d planned to take all down today. But I’m resisting. Maybe tomorrow. Or Sunday…
by laura on January 2nd, 2009 at 10:17 am
6) Retailers don’t want you to enjoy Christmas for one nanosecond after the 25th.
We went to Cracker Barrel on the 30th for lunch and there were displays with Easter and Valentine’s Day merchandise.
EASTER..pink bunnies and pastel baskets!
Give me a break……..
Same in WalMart and the high-end stores.
All of the Christmas stuff had vanished without a trace.
It was as if Christmas never happened.
It’s not about the holiday.
It’s about how much they can get you to spend.
Once a holiday is over…….look out!!
We have to move on to the next one.
by sunny on January 2nd, 2009 at 10:20 am
7) Probably doesn’t help that last week was your son’s last childhood Christmas…OLD!!!
by Theo Epstein on January 2nd, 2009 at 11:19 am
8) I like to leave my decorations up until Epiphany - the 12 days of Christmas, you know. However, work rules may require my door decor to come down, and hubby will lobby to take down the outside lights this weekend….
by Jan on January 2nd, 2009 at 11:52 am
9) It’s always hard to take the tree down. I love to sit in the evening, listen to carols, and watch the lights gleam. There’s something so final about taking it down. But we always have a real tree. Needles everywhere. I’ll be forced to act soon.
by Deb Baker on January 2nd, 2009 at 4:38 pm
10) Vicki, hold tight! Love the term holiday protocol. Perfect.
Deb, LOL on the drivers. I once navigated Georgetown in D.C. during rush hour with nary a hint of anxiety, while a friend (she knows who she is) was terrified. Me? I felt like I was back home. And the whole 4:1 ratio of holiday celebration doesn’t seem right to me… But maybe that’s because this year’s Christmas was really nice.
Ann, I think it’s easier when there’s something to look forward to. For me, I just planned a little trip to VT, so that’s taking the edge off. Otherwise, all I have is a deadline Feb. 1st. Eek.
Lorna, the undecorating might have something to do with my procrastination… LOL. It is a lot of work, isn’t it?
Laura, I think my procrastination is rubbing off on you! Run!
Thanks, Theo, for bringing THAT up.
Jan, ooh the 12 days of Christmas. I should have thought of that.
Deb, when we had a real tree it came down A LOT quicker! Esp when the kids were little and those needles were everywhere! It does seem so final, though, you’re right. Sigh. There’s always Valentine’s Day… Hmm. Not the same.
by Heather on January 2nd, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Tree is down. Lights are down. But in my heart, they still are up...and that is WHERE it is all at.
Faith, belief, and HEART. IMHO.
**re
for me.
You're absolutely right, Re! A great reminder. Thank you.
I agree it is hard to let go. Like you said all the singing, baking cookies, shopping and then boom its over. Yeah it rough, back to reality...ugh
Mildred
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