…it’s time for our traditional Christmas puzzle!
Our Christmas celebrations have changed over the years.
When the kids were young it was a magical time of experiencing it through their eyes. Those were the days of anticipation, advent calendars, (or homemade Christmas chains), candy canes, and watching Christmas specials on TV.
We had a tradition of going for a drive as a family on Christmas Eve to look at the Christmas lights. I still remember the first year the kids said they didn’t want to go out to see the lights; it was the first time it really hit me that they were one day going to grow up and leave home. Ugh.
There was a season in my life when the Christmas season was difficult to get through. Personal losses made me wish I could ignore the whole thing. I’m thankful that season didn’t last for too many years.
Now we have grandchildren and everything is new again! I love shopping for the grands and being with them for an early celebration at the beginning of December! This new tradition we’ve established of going back to Canada early in the month means that Gerry and I settle in for a quiet Christmas back home and we’re establishing new traditions that include the annual Christmas puzzle. We shop for it right after Thanksgiving when we’re choosing gifts for the kids.
This year we chose a Yorkie puzzle and we’ve got the edges done (edges and corners first!) and have just started to work on other sections. I anticipate we’ll be spending some time in our dining room on Christmas Day, not feasting on turkey, but working on the puzzle. Oh we’ll have turkey–what’s Christmas without turkey and all the trimmings–but not in the dining room. I’m looking forward to time to read, take walks, enjoy my husband’s crepes for breakfast, read, work on the puzzle, prepare the turkey and stuffing, read, eat chocolate, and did I mention read?
Whatever new or old traditions you follow this season I wish you a Merry Christmas filled with blessing and joy. And while you’re here, I hope you’ll take a moment to leave a comment and let us know what some of your favorite traditions are this season.
I just took a ride with my daughters tonight and looked at the Christmas lights. We thought that this year they are extra festive, lots of houses were so illuminated! Some even had music playing 🙂
Wishing you a Merry Christmas Linda, with best wishes for peace and happiness in 2012 …
And a Happy Christmas to you and yours, Joanne.
I loved this post mom! The Christmas Light’s Drive? I totally remember, and it’s soo funny b/c I have talked for years about LOVING that tradition, and yearning to establish it as part of our own family tradition!! We, in fact, were JUST talking about it a few days ago! Love it!
Thanks, Laurinda! I still remember that first time you didn’t want to go out for the traditional Christmas light tour. Your Dad and I went alone and we stopped at the Halston for coffee afterward. I was so sad as I realized you were growing up and eventually away from me.
I hope you DO start this with your family too! xo
Great blog, great tradition. Thanks for sharing with us.
Happy Christmas, Pat.
Oh, I want that Yorkie puzzle too!!!! I just had an animal communicator come to the house for help with CJ, the older of my two Yorkies. He is losing his vision and I wanted to be sure we were doing all we could to assist him. She was quite clear and firm with me that CJ’s time with us is drawing to a close. I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR THAT! But I know she is right and I will treasure the time we have left.
Holidays are very different for me this year. On Thanksgiving my son and I went to see the new Muppet movie and it was wonderful. We are thinking about finding a showing of either Chipwrecked or War Horse for Christmas afternoon. Time and life bring changes to everything. I am learning to “go with the river” these days. Merry Christmas to you and yours from me and mine!
Oh Jude. My heart goes out to you and CJ. I can only imagine how you must feel.
Oh, I love puzzles! What a great idea. We always watched a Christmas movie and snacked on the kid’s (now grown) favorite snack-like lil’ smoked sausages, cheese, bagel bites…. 🙂
Karen, you’ve reminded me of our traditional cheese and crackers and other treats we only enjoyed during Christmas. Now, I’m hungry!
Linda, Thanks for another great post! You have captured the wonder of the season through your family traditions. And isn’t it magical how “everything is new again” through our grandchildren? But oh that puzzle looks very intimidating to me. It certainly must keep you occupied all day! Enjoy 🙂
The magic of seeing Christmas through the eyes of grandchildren is priceless, isn’t it? Happy Christmas!
Yes, we’ve done the puzzles too. I like the snow scenes for Christmas. No grandkids in my world yet but life is still good. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, Linda. It’s been a delight getting to know you. Cheers.