It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas: Carols edition

I have this problem, and it happens every year. Sometimes, it starts as early as November, and some years, it doesn’t kick in until the second or third week of December. But regardless of when it starts, it happens, without fail, every year. My problem — the Christmas spirit overpowers me. I mean, it is the most wonderful time of the year, you know. I can hear you snickering, but it’s a serious problem. During the Thanksgiving holiday, I remarked to a friend how it didn’t feel like Christmas this year. I wasn’t sure if it was the weather (it’s been unseasonably warm here) or being alone this year, but whatever the reason, I wasn’t feeling the whole winter wonderland thing. But all that changed last week. I went from Ba-Hum-Bug to holly jolly Christmas overnight.

A week ago, the weather changed drastically and school children were crying, “let it snow” and I found myself saying, “baby, it’s cold outside.” I pulled out my Christmas decorations and set about rearranging furniture to make sure my home looked perfect and everything from the holly and the ivy to Frosty the snowman had a place. Of course, my Pandora Christmas station played from my computer and I rocked around the Christmas tree singing and smiling. (Even having to restring my lights on a thirty-nine and a half foot pole three times didn’t upset me.) After everything was sorted, it hit me like a wave of tinsel and garland. Christmas is here, and I LOVE Christmas!

I love decorating and shopping for home decor to deck the halls. I love the candles that smell like forests, peppermints and cranberries. I love baking cookies and cutting them into fun holiday shapes like Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. I love the four main food groups of Christmas — candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup. (And lots of insulin). I love shopping for family and friends in search of the perfect gift. I love making DIY gifts for co-workers and friends. I love Christmas music and hearing the Christmas song playing in stores. I love the silent nights, the sleigh rides and all the jingle bells. I LOVE Christmas. (See? I told you it overpowers me).

As you can tell from the photos, I have decorated my apartment completely. I have my Auburn tree (thanks mom!) and my regular tree (off the ground because #DevilDog has a fondness for the taste of ornaments). The halls have been decked and the stockings hung by the chimney window with care, and the baking has commenced. I’ve made my Christmas wish list, complete with a hippopotamus and a hula hoop (Santa already brought me my two front teeth sometime in the late 80s). I’ve started my Christmas shopping and even have a few gifts wrapped beneath the tree.

So this is Christmas, where I do my very best to spread a little joy to the world. I smile and spread cheer along with the true meaning of Christmas — all those years ago, far away in a manger, a child was born. Sure, we have fun with jolly old St. Nicholas and I’ll be the first to admit how I love thee o Christmas tree, but those things are not really Christmas. The true meaning of Christmas lies in the little town of Bethlehem where it came upon a midnight clear on Christmas morning a child was born, a savior to be called Christ, the Lord. Oh, what a holy night it must have been.

The DOC is a beautiful group of eclectic people of many ages, shapes, colors and lifestyles. We are an amazing group, and I’m blessed to be a part of it. Regardless of how you celebrate, I wish for you a white Christmas with the ones you love. I’ll be home for Christmas, and from my family to yours, we wish you a merry Christmas.