My Christmas List

Not a 'Get' list or even a 'To Do' list.

This time of year, families celebrate the holidays by a myriad of traditions: favorite foods and meals, favorite movies and books, favorite activities. Here's some of the things we do at our house each year, with a few reasons why I love them. (Just a heads up...some of them might not match up with the customary images of joy and family togetherness.)

Favorite Movies
The Lion in Winter: Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine celebrate Christmas in France. Except he keeps her imprisoned most of the year, she aids their sons in rebelling against him, and he's boinking the future Richard Coeur-de-Lion's betrothed. And you think your family has rotten holidays.

A Christmas Carol: The version with Patrick Stewart only. Captain Picard as Scrooge! It doesn't get much better than that.


Favorite Books and Stories
A Visit from Sir Nicholas, by Julia Quinn: The title says it all. Who wants a fat guy in a loud red suit when you can have a sexy hero like Nicky? And unlike Dickens, there's no creepy Ghost of Christmas Future. My mom has an illustrated version of A Christmas Carol and the pic of GoCF scared the bejeebers out of me when I was a kid. Put me off the book for years.


Favorite Carols and Songs:
The Twelve Days of Christmas medley, by Straight No Chaser. Go to YouTube and do a search for it. You won't regret it. Partridge in a big pear tree!

Angels we have Heard on High: It's hard to mess this one up. Gloria in excelsis Deo, indeed.

Christmas is Coming: and the Goose is getting fat. Fun and easy round, especially for little ones.

Santa Baby: The Madonna or Eartha Kitt versions.

All I want for Christmas is You, by Mariah Carey: Fun brain candy song.

Joy to the World: Again, the title says it all.

God rest ye, Merry Gentlemen, What Child is This?, In the Bleak Midwinter, Wish I had a River: all good for different moods


Favorite Rituals:
Some of these are done in lots of families. Some are very, very different. Allow me to emphasize that no one has ever suffered permanent injury or death as a result of any holiday activity in my home.

Putting up the World's Biggest Cat Toy: In non-feline homes, this object is referred to as a 'Christmas tree'. The cats get very excited when they see the boxes and love to help, especially when we're engaged weaving the long strings of lights through the branches.

Wrapping presents: Okay, it's a bit of a chore, and the cats like to help with this, too. But if you've got company, it's fun to outdo each other in disguising gifts with unique packaging. We once convinced my youngest that she was getting the world's largest piece of salt-water taffy. (It was a pillow made by my oldest.)

Christmas Eve at my in-laws: Pandemonium! 25 people on my hubby's side, including some small children. Potluck buffet, champagne, and little ones asking if it's time for presents every five minutes. It's a blast!

Late Christmas Eve Service: The celebration of Christ's birth moves me every year. The service ends with the congregation singing 'Silent Night' as the lights dim. With the altar candles glowing in the darkened church, I reflect on how small the lights of Grace and Mercy are in our world, and yet how brightly they shine.

Christmas Brunch with my family: More pandemonium, particularly if my sisters are visiting. Let's just say we tend to get creative with ribbons and bows once they're off the gifts. My mother says we look silly, but we ignore her.

Sparring matches: These break out periodically over Christmas season between my daughters, both of whom are testing for their black belts in taekwondo this month. They spar over who gets which of my ornaments when I'm dead, over who gets to use the prettiest wrapping paper first, and over the last dinner roll. Among other things.