I’m pretty sure Christmas used to be more exciting. Or, at the very least, that it used to mean more.
And I’m not talking about all the baby jesus stuff, because let’s face it, trying to derive deep religious significance from all the tinsel and wrapping paper and hordes of hairy-lipped, crabby housewives brawling for the last Cuddle Me Super Grover is about as fruitful as say, loading up on Echinacea to combat the flu.
Point-less.
My brother did a lovely job with our holiday dinner (rosemary roasted chicken and vegetables) and the teeth-chattering walk up Fifth Avenue was nice and festive. But somewhere between the crush around Rockefeller tree and the animated Disney Store window, we decided that, unless you’ve got kids, Christmas Day is really all kind of a “been there, done that” experience. Which is a fine enough reason for me to look into getting knocked up, tout suite; I really do miss all the hoopla.
My own Christmas hoopla consisted of extreme bouts of laziness punctuated by eating spells and trips to Blockbuster for more DVDs. It was exactly what I needed, but of course now I’m forced to attempt the Post Christmas Detox of 2004. It’s time to trade in rides in my antiquated little elevator for the stairs, ice-cream for ginger-carrot-apple-celery juice (probably the second most disappointing trade ever made. The most disappointing being the ill-fated time I traded my blankie for pantyhose in the fourth grade. What was I thinking?), and massive efforts at re-hydration. It’ll probably only last a week, but I give myself six gold stars just for good intentions. I haven’t decided exactly at how many stars I’m allowed to reward myself. But I’m thinkin’ ten is a good, round number. And an iPod is a fair prize.
The Self-Reward System: Just another reason being a grown-up is fucking awesome.
i think x-mas is the day that blockbuster makes the most money…it seems like everybody rents something…i always thought it was just my fam that did it but it turns out a whole lot of ppl do
Christmas is a lot about memories, but as an adult (with a kid), I often find myself enjoying coffee with whiskey with my friends. Something about kicking back, laughing, looking at the tree, and sharing time together is a helluva lot more meaningful than tinsel. I’m a practicing Catholic, and so I do still find meaning in the holiday as a feast day.
Happy 2005! Rachel
Oooh, right, Baby Jesus. I knew there was something I forgot to teach my kid as we tore into his xbox… I will so not forget to do that next year.
Amen on all accounts, EXCEPT — detox really can’t begin thoroughly until January 1. Let the kids celebrate Christmas — we can celebrate the New Year (nothing like a good ole’ party from 11pm to 5am).
My detox is taking place after I get back from France… 50 lbs heavier, my liver having checked out from all the bottles of wine consumed. ah paris, one can never get enough!
Bring them stars on over to my place. I need all the positive reinforcement I can get
Rented DVDs, huh? I went one step farther. I went to see a movie … by myself! First time I’ve ever done that, and it was one of the highlights of my day!
Nice! How true about Xmas and kids. It’s for them, not for us. My wife and 6 month old girl took off on Xmas day (mid-day) for two days up to Grandma’s a couple of hours away. I stayed behind. Hey, SOMEONE needed to feed the cats.
I did EXACTLY WHAT FISH DID. Never got out of my PJs, poured massive amts. of mulled wine, started and maintained a fire the entire 2 days, rented DVDs (DO NOT waste your time with Bourne Supremacy…Do waste your time with Lost In Translation), stuffed my face with various culinary delights, and made plans for a thorough detox, which I’m sure in the end, will never take place.
It’s like when my (ex)boyfriend and I went to the beach this summer. We just sat and read books and decided that playing on the beach isn’t something that will be fun again until there are kids.
I’m just glad it’s all over. I’m done with it. It was a long long Christmas this year.
We do Christmas at one set of inlaws Christmas weekend and at the other set New Year’s weekend. The rule is that our kids have to wake up in their own beds on Christmas morning, however, so the other dates are always sort of approximate.
And the kids made out like bandits this year….
I will never go to the movies by myself because what happens if I do and someone who knows me sees me and then tells my friends they saw me at the movies alone and they come back and tell me they heard I was at the movies alone when I said I was at home instead and then I have to make up some lie and really, I don’t like to lie, so I’d rather people just don’t see me at the movies alone.
Yeah. What I said.
There is positively NOTHING wrong with going to the movies alone!! Especially in NYC. It’s awesome for the following reasons:
1 No retarded discussion over what to see
2 No one else’s schedule to deal with
3 No confusion about which theater to see it at (I’m very particular about this)
4 No retarded discussion over what to see (also particular…)
5 You do not have to get there an hour early to get three seats together.
Spring for the iPod photo. It rocks!