Okay, so just for kicks, and because I haven’t done one in a while, a couple fun little memes. One is holiday-related and the other is not, so they’re suitable for all. Feel free to play along!

First, seen at Thinking About, "Please share 12 of your favorite
Christmas things: they can be memories, traditions, songs, presents,
beliefs, whatever it is about this season that you love."

1. Our Christmas tree. Not just any tree, mind you, but ours. We have an artificial tree, but I’m okay with that–although we had used the same one my entire life up until just a couple Christmases ago, so I’m still adjusting. But the point is that I love the decorations, the garland, the look, the twinkle, and that warm, cozy feeling from having our tree sitting in the living room. I admire other people’s trees, but I love ours.
2. The wooden Santa that my grandfather made back in the 1950s. I can still remember when he was taller than I was and it’s just not Christmas around here without it. Besides, we all think he kind of looks like Grandpa, so in a way, it’s like having him here for the holidays.
3. The ceramic Santa being climbed over by kittens and puppies that my sister made for me in 1999. I can’t tell you how much I love it, but … so much that I used a picture of it for my Christmas cards last year. This picture, in fact.
4. Gloating Day. How can you not love Gloating Day? A day devoted to a polite celebration of "I’m done and you’re not?"
5. Presents. Not so much the getting them (though, I like that too, as who doesn’t?), but the fun of picking out JUST the right gift for my family. I agree that Christmas has gotten too commercial, yes, yes, but I think the people who decide not to exchange gifts at all are going too far in the opposite direction. It’s not about surrounding the tree with 3-foot piles, 4-layers deep of the latest electronic gadgets. Definitely not, but giving one or two (or three) gifts that are thoughtfully selected and that your loved ones wouldn’t buy for themselves? Priceless….
6. Especially when they’re kids. Children plus Christmas just simply equals Magic. That Christmas Morning miracle, the cookies for Santa, the joy, the wonder . . .  just can’t be beat.
7. Carols. I mean, sure, it’s ridiculous that the radio stations start playing them practically the day after Halloween, but from the middle of December on, I have to admit, I love the Christmas music. I have a bad habit of buying new Christmas CDs every year, too, and at the moment, have 347 Christmas songs on my MP3 player. Interestingly, I’ve got it on Shuffle, but I’m hearing Bing Crosby, the Chipmunks, the Carpenters, and the Charlie Brown soundtrack about every other song, with only a rare appearance from Harry Connick Jr, Dean Martin, or any of others. Very strange!
8. Chappy. Because let’s not forget that the four-legged kids can get just as enthusiastic as the two-legged kids. And, of course, he’s darn cute when he’s opening presents.
9. That Christmas Magic. It’s indefinable, really, and when you’re swamped with cookie baking and gift-wrapping and shopping and work and family plans and all the other crazy things, it’s easy to lose track of it, but still . . . if you find a few minutes to sit by a Christmas tree, or listen to carols, drink some cocoa . . . it’s there. It’s the only time of year where you can feel that special kind of buzz that surrounds Christmas. The commercialization of the holiday might make it a little trickier to find, but . . . it’s there. And I think that part of the trick is that you have to let yourself relax a little to find it.
10. Getting my shopping done early. Well, this year, I’m a little late, but usually, I have all my shopping done by Thanksgiving so that I can enjoy the month of December without feeling stressed. Because Christmas time should be magical, not stressful!
11. A chance to wear my Tannenbaum hat. I love that hat, but it IS kind of restricted to just one month out of the year, you know?
12. Last on the list? In the oddest kind of love/hate kind of way . . . stollen. As much as I hate the marathon of baking this difficult, obstinate bread, I do love that tradition thing. Carrying on the tradition from my Grandmother, and making my Dad so very happy. I complain about it every year, and really don’t enjoy making it, and yet . . . I dread the first year that I don’t NEED to make it, so . . . really, I’m happy to be making Stollen. You know, when I’m not dreading and/or hating making Stollen. Like I said, it’s a love/hate relationship.

Now, I’m not going to tag anybody–I hate forcing people to play along–but I hope that you do! And, my feeling is that, if you don’t celebrate Christmas, you could talk about your Winter Holiday of Choice instead. Because don’t most of us celebrate something this time of year?

And second, from BoogaJ, the monthly meme–where, if you have a blog, you quote the first line from the first post of each month of the last year. Now, since my first post is always my monthly reading list, I’m going to be quoting from my second post, but, you know, that’s just me! And, anyway, this one was fun.

• January: Today was the first day back to work of the year, and since we had a
  long weekend, I had to keep reminding myself that it was Tuesday
• February: I got this little handmade box in the mail today….
• March: Yes, I know. I’m making myself hungry, too.
• April: Okay, move over computer!
• May: I’m really nowhere near ready to sew the zipper into my Celtic Icon, but you know me. I like to plan ahead.
• June: Just some pictures from Donaroma’s Nursery and Landscaping Services in Edgartown, Massachusetts.
• July: Yep. Those two bobbins you saw yesterday?
• August: Technically, yes. During high school . . . you know, back in the early
  1980s . . . my best friend and I wrote letters to just about every
  author we loved.
• September: Well, here it is. September. And what a beautiful start to the month!
• October:
  Ah, my favorite month of the year. (Well, if you discount the seasonal allergies.)
• November: Remember last year? When I threw myself a virtual party and asked all of you to show me your November calendar pictures?
• December: I had such good intentions for today.

Come on and play along!

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