December. December is so different, now. Before I was a teenager, it was about Normal Rockwell moments, gifts, Santa, food, and how about some more gifts. As a teenager, it probably should’ve been about hormones and recklessness, but I remember family, gifts, and enjoying wrapping gifts as much as I did opening them. My twenties, on my own, living frugally and away from ‘home’, so the celebrations were more sedate. Got married, and things shifted to include another’s traditions. After the divorce, I was old enough to reassess what I wanted and needed. Then frugality by necessity hit, gifts were baked, and I was glad to find roadside scrap trees. Now, I can afford a tree, but it and me won’t fit in my tiny house at the same time. What am I left with? What do I want? Things do change.

Congratulations on making it through an overly-long front paragraph, but it proved a point to me, at least. Christmas changed for me as I have changed. Many traditions were passed along, fed to me by media, and shared with friends and family. For much of the time, the main effort was consumerism, ideally reflecting relationships and connections, but frequently, inevitably, temporary. As the people I know age, a core set of traditions remains, and buying and selling have become less important than listening and sharing.

A lot has changed in the world, too. Toys have gone from Red Flyer wagons (though I never saw that specific brand – I think) to mega-brands pushed by massive marketing campaigns. My favorite toy was a Nerf ball when I was in my twenties because it was simple, frivolous, and fun. Movies that were relatively new then are classics now, and can be streamed. Foods have been analyzed to such an extent that the brand name is less important than the labels like GF for gluten-free, or organic, or free-trade. Each such gift gets scrutinized rather than simply shoved in the mouth. We’re more aware of the rest of the world, and the corporations are more aware of each of us.

I’m old enough that there’s little extra I want, and what I want can be so specific that I doubt anyone could guess what it might be. Age, really experience and introspection, has left me with an understanding of what I want, what I need, and what I consider extraneous. Hmm. As I write this, I realize that awareness is a gift I’ve been giving myself for years.

For many people my age, consumables make more sense. Shopping local means more (for local folks). Thrift stores can get so many unfashionable and archaic offerings that they turn away items no one needs or wants. As a kid, I’d lie down on the carpet in front of the family’s six-foot-long stereo as I listened to the radio or music. Now, they represent phenomenal spent resources that are deteriorating in some landfill, piled in with other discarded gear. Meanwhile, food and drink are something everyone uses every day.

A core gift that was never wrapped and not considered a gift was time. Time with each other. Unfettered time alone. Time to think, feel, maybe feed and drink, and to inevitably nap. I can’t remember most of the gifts, but I know there were naps in there, and a desire to spend more time with friends and family.
And friends and family aren’t there always. Sorry for bursting a romantic bubble, but friends and family are people. People age. As a kid, the fact that grandma might not be there was, at best, abstract. At my age, everyone I know is a limited-time opportunity, and therefore, precious. Pardon me as I ponder that while I pause typing.

…

Yep.

I’ve already started sending out cards. I’d like to think that I’ll do that throughout the year. Maybe. Maybe.

I won’t be shopping much, mostly because folks my age have had a lifetime to buy what they want. Some will appreciate some consumables, though.

I will maintain my traditions that fit with my lifestyle. Life in a tiny house means no tree; sigh. But the baking is about to begin, and I’m already planning Christmas dinner. I miss not being able to have a party.

I miss being able to share the meal with friends. There just isn’t enough room. Some decorations will go up, but the majority of them will stay in storage for yet another year. I’ll watch my traditional movies (at least White Christmas on the day and Love Actually for New Year’s).

There will be other things I do that don’t come to mind as I type because I am more likely to let things happen as they will. Sticking to a rigid arrangement misses the opportunity for pleasant reminders and surprises.

The two biggest parts of the season will probably be dancing with friends, and time for myself. Many other things will be appreciated during the holidays, but time and people are most likely to be the most memorable and enjoyed.

Spend time with family, friends, and most important, spend time with your self. Nothing is more precious than time with people, and you are people, too.

Sigh. I guess I’ll add a link to my books on Amazon. Yes. I see the irony. Besides, it gives me an opportunity to realize that, while I’m not giving many gifts, others might want to pass my words along. Thanks for reading.