Festive

I’m not feeling festive this year and I don’t know why. Budgets are always stretched at this time of year, but we’re doing okay so it’s not money. My kids are both still young so it’s not like they’re harassing me with demands for big ticket items that we can’t afford. They watch Treehouse TV or PBS so they aren’t inundated with commercials to give them the “gimme” disease.

Everything in general is going well. I’m sad that I won’t see my sister this year but I understand that she can’t get home this year. I wish I could see my parents on the 25th but we’ve done our big day on the 26th for so many years now that I’m sort of used to it. No one is seriously ill, no one has been laid off, things are great.

I’m just feeling Scrooge-like this year. My tree is still only half-strung with lights (maybe that’s the source of trouble. I think I need to buy a pre-lit tree at the end of the season for next year because putting lights on the tree makes me want to kill everyone) and it’s not decorated. I have little motivation to bother. I don’t feel like making cookies or singing carols or any such thing.

Usually it kicks in really early for me, at least since having kids. I want to be festive for their sake. In particular, this is the first year my little one is truly aware of things going on around her. Already she nearly burst an artery over the red garland I hung in the door frame of my older daughter’s room (red is her favorite color). So it’s important to get into the groove. I think I’m going to try the old “fake it ’til ya make it” tactic. If I act cheery, maybe I will be!

Are you feeling festive, whichever holiday you celebrate?