Christmas

[curgoth]

My mother shocked me Monday night - she's actually being reasonable about
Christmas.

We're going to skip birthday presents (hers and her mother's are the
day before mine), and xmas is going to be mostly gift certificates.
Scaled down, calm and reasonable. Wow.

This impending holiday has filled me with anxiety and dread since
childhood - it's always meant stress, tears and boredom, as we stress
out and fight to get ready to go visit the family in Woodstock, and
then mind-numbing boredom while there, or fight about decorating the
house, or get shoved around in tightly packed malls.

My ideal Christmas has as little Christmas as possible in it.

As a kid, there were two elements that I enjoyed about xmas - playing
board games with a big group as a family, and singing. The former no
longer takes place because some of the family won't play any more, and
not as many people make the trek out to Woodstock any more, so there's
just not enough people any more. The latter no longer takes place
because I'm aware of how awful my voice is, and also due to the
aforementioned lack of crtical mass of family.

It seems that this year is going to be a little less stressed than
usual, though we're still going to have to hit 4+ cities in as many
days, I think.

Comments

Singing

[pipesdreams.livejournal.com]

I'm glad your Christmas experience this year will be more manageable - mine have been getting better, too, in recent years. The stress is going to ramp up some as soon as I'm expected to cook for a family, though, so I'll revel in these baby-free years while I can.

It makes me a little sad, though, to think of you not singing. I don't think voice quality matters when it's carols. They are timeless, and easy, and everyone can hear in their head what they *should* sound like, so even if that's not strictly what they are hearing in their ears, it doesn't matter.

Maybe you should try carolling at a seniors residence this year. The joy of group singing is great, and the seniors really appreciate it. I used to do it for my grandmother's home, and I think this year I might do it at my Dad's home.

So, I guess what I'm saying is: keep singing.

Also? I *heart* board games, although mostly just because I'm an underprivileged only child who never had anyone to play with.

Re: Singing

[bridgeoutahead.livejournal.com]

I second the motion of singing - especially for others, like those in a Retirement or Senior's home. I think that's a great idea :) I've toyed with the thought of caroling here in KW this year. Though I'm sure I have little talent in the singing department, it's something I enjoy doing.

As for the board games - I can relate to being an only child who had no one to play such games with. I used to get 1-2 board games every year from my grandparents. It always confused me when I got one, because no one would want to play with me. And it's not like you can play these games by yourself. :)

Re: Singing

[curgoth]

That's actually where my love of carols comes from - my parents sang at seniors' residences when I was young, and would practice around the house. I haven't the time to do the same thing myself, but I'm going to try to get some lyrics sheets and wander around singing when the time comes.

Also, I may throw a random board game night at some date.