Minimalist Christmas

Christmas excitement has reached a fevered pitch around here. Friday, Reece's class had a Polar Express party, with the kids in pajamas, hot cocoa with marshmallows (a crucial fact, according to Reece), and a viewing of the movie. We made brownie treats for Reece's teachers, decorated kids' holiday tree cakes (a Crayola edible kit I found on clearance), and each boy has two (because one is insufficient, apparently) advent calendars with chocolate behind each door. Reece seems completely unclear on the concept that he will be receiving gifts in large quantity quite steadily between now and this coming Monday and asks, every time I say we need to go to a store or get something for someone else, "What are we getting for me?" He has said that Christmas is his favorite time EVER because of the whole present theme. With his birthday so close after the holidays, I fear he'll go into withdrawal when February arrives and he's not opening anything for himself!

We’re also involved in the Christmas story pageant at church, which will take place at 5pm on Wednesday. Greyson is the 2nd wise man, Reece may or may not be a shepherd - he's 3, enough said. I somehow got roped into helping with the costumes and making sure the kings do what they’re supposed to at the right time. This is on top of me assistant teaching for Sunday school every week. Now, I really love our church and enjoy being involved, but I’m hitting that too-involved point where I can feel myself cringe rather than look forward to whatever is going on. In order to compensate, I’ve unintentionally instituted a minimalist Christmas at home. We have some decorations up but not even half of what we own, Dan did the tree lights and my boys and nephews put up all the ornaments, only two of the outside bushes have lights on them, and (as I mentioned before) I didn’t write a single word of a newsletter to go out with the cards. I’ve even whittled down the card list to the number of pictures we got in our family photo package deal! And I’m not even feeling guilty about any of it, which makes me think this will be the new plan from here on out. It seems to go well with the whole lousy economy, only do what you can situation these days. Now if only I can find a way to recycle the three bins worth of cheap holiday decor...