Here’s the deal. I’ve been trying to figure out why I can’t get into the holiday spirit this year. I’ve identified several things such as my house being just so cluttered and such a mess that I feel like I can’t relax in it, my schedule is so busy that I feel like I can’t breathe, and my budget is so tight that I feel like I can’t go hog wild buying anything and everything for everyone I know. Also, there’s no snow. What’s up with that? We had like three feet last year at this time (and then whined about it the entire winter).  So I seem to have settled into a rather comfortable “bah humbug” existence this year.
But I’m realizing one of the major reasons why I’m having a hard time getting into the spirit this year is that I’m tired of the tradition of giving gifts. I know, that’s crazy…. how can you not love giving and getting gifts?  But I’m so over it.  Everyone who I traditionally give a gift to, frankly, has everything they need. And most of them have everything they want too. At least the things I can afford to give them anyway. And for me, well, if I don’t get most of the things on my list, I’m just going to go buy them on after Christmas clearance sales anyway.  My parents have just sold their house and are now living in an RV. I guarantee they don’t have room for more stuff. My little sister just got a tiny studio apartment, she couldn’t fit a new pair of socks in that place.  And as much as I would love to go crazy buying all kinds of cute and fun things for my other sister’s kids (the most adorable ones in the world), I’m betting she would be a little annoyed if I bought them more and more toys. Because you know I’d buy the loud and obnoxious ones. When it comes right down to it, the tradition of gift giving has made me feel like I have absolutely nothing of value to give. 
So do you know what I really want for Christmas this year?  I want to savor the experiences of the holidays not so much the “things.”  I want to spend time with those people I love: feasting, laughing, talking over coffee, and just being together. And dip crackers in a cheese ball.  I really love cheese balls. I love going to the holiday pops at the symphony, walking around and looking at the Christmas lights in the snow, listening to the old carols, singing along with “Sleigh Ride” like a giddy little girl (every time…. it never gets old), and having fancy dinners by candlelight.  And I also want some quiet times of solitude as well, time to savor just a little bit of nostalgia, time to regenerate and try to find my footing for the new year, and just some extra time to sleep.  And eat more cheeseball.  That’s all I want for Christmas this year. And some snow.