It's begining to look a lot...

[theoldwolf]

like Christmas... Finally!

On the other hand, getting my tree up on the 18th (being out of town for almost a week set me back) makes me feel like I'm not caving to the gross commercialism of Christmas. If you feel like me, you ought to check out the

Advent Conspiracy

There are presents under my tree already - got a wonderful gift stocking from Angela Panda, *hugs!*; a package from the West Virginia Green Acres gang, *More Hugs!* which I am not, unlike some ambiguous people, opening until Christmas morning; and a gift from an Israeli colleague whom I hosted a couple of weeks ago.

But I enjoy the giving more. Medotter doesn't do Christmas, so I asked her what she wanted for Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, and she conceded that she could use some new winter boots and gloves. So we went shopping, and that's done.

My youngest son has recently completed a transition from Christian to Animist, and wants nothing for the holiday - that's going to be the hardest present I have ever given him, because my whole soul screams that I want to shower him with material largesse, but the best gift I can give him is to honor his request.

My oldest boy is hard to shop for, because like me, when he wants something he usually goes out and gets it. He's in the market for a 50" plasma TV - hey, who isn't - but I'd like one for myself and can afford neither. So he and his good wife may end up with cash. The grandbabies get the most beautiful stuffed WWF-animals that I found at Riktige Leker in Oslo, WWF being the World Wildlife Foundation and not the wrestling thing.

Went and stocked up on cherry chocolates for random gifts today... still have many cards to get out, which I am afraid will be arriving after Christmas.

Ex-frau is off to Seattle until Jan. 5, I'm taking care of the Golden Retriever until then.

Fighting a cold... and now to bed!

Comments

[deckardcanine.livejournal.com]

I thought animism as a religion was pretty much confined to Africa.

[alaskawolf.livejournal.com]

kinda late to get the tree up but better late then never :) yum cherry chocolate :D

[r-caton.livejournal.com]

No decorations up yet but I'd like to put up the tree... it's at Farragos, and my Dad bought it about '62. It was up nearly every year until we had the builders in, since when decorations have been rather sparse, although I put up a couple of strings of cards last year....
WWF... I have an MNBA credit card linked to the WWF that I don't use (can't remember the PIN and I have others... I signed for it because the young lady takin' siggies gave me a little stuffed tiger. Still got it.

[ccdesan.livejournal.com]

Stuffed tiger? I'd sell my soul to Baal for a stuffed tiger. No wonder you signed on the dotted line.



Take a minute and put up the tree, it will cheer your soul. I had practically no Christmas decorations after the divorce and couldn't face the idea of no holiday spirit, so I went shopping and found some great bargains - I spent $102.00 on a tree, the baubles, a skirt, and 8 boxes of cherry chocolates. Now it's Christmas!

[dhlawrence.livejournal.com]

We always used to put the tree up on American Thanksgiving; doesn't happen quite so often any more. Last year they couldn't be decorated because of a couple of new ornaments. It always feels more comforting when the tree goes up.

I hate to admit it, but one of the things I look forward to most about having a proper girlfriend is being able to splurge on Christmas, Valentine's Day, and birthday gifts. One day!