Speaking of perfection…do you fear your Christmas won’t be up to snuff? Your gifts will be all ‘wrong’, your meal burnt? Well, join the club.
Even though I’m almost finished my shopping, I still wonder if I bought enough and if everyone will be satisfied. Has my love been adequately expressed through carefully wrapped gifts? Nevertheless I’ve given much thought to who’s been naughty and who’s been nice!
There’s something about trimming your tree with moldy Christmas movies on in the background while wrapping with all thumbs, that makes me wonder Is Christmas festive or simply festering?
I’m guilty of being a little grumpy this time of year. As much as I look forward to having all the kids here and the memories we make, I can’t help but feel the pressure of Christmas perfection.
I reflect upon a Christmas memory. It was the last Christmas I was married and I was shopping for my husband’s present. I went to the usual store he liked and saw the usual salesman who picked out his clothes. The salesman was (is) a nice man. He not only has a flare for style but he is very handsome and fun to talk to. You know how you meet people who put you immediately at ease? He was one of those people.
After we picked out my husband’s present, he told me he was going over to the chocolatier and would I go with him? I said yes and we chatted as we walked the short distance. The decadent scent of chocolate wafted through the store. When he was asked if he could be helped he smiled and answered “Yes” as he pointed at some of the chocolates in the display.
“I’d like to buy 12 chocolates for my wife.” He proceeded to choose each chocolate carefully considering her taste. One was chosen and individually wrapped for each day of Christmas. It was his tradition he said. While he chose each chocolate, I stood just behind him speechless and full of sadness.
It was one of those defining moments. Sometimes love is shown to us in the smallest of ways. It isn’t about the grand gestures. The truth of love is in the minutest of details. Sometimes when I think about that moment I silently thank him because I am grateful for what he showed me.
Back to Christmas present and my meandering thoughts…The tradition of wrapping each and every stocking stuffer is really annoying me this year…who’s idea was that anyway? I must have a chat with Santa.
Baily’s recipe from Design The Life You Want to Live
Hey, I found a great recipe for homemade Bailey’s at Lynne Knowlton’s Design the Life You Want to Live. She always picks me up when I’m feeling down and puts a smile on my face.
p.s I added 1/4 cup of Kahlua…yummy
13 oz Vodka
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 c of half n half cream (or whipping cream)
2 tbsp chocolate syrup (I like Quick)
1/4 cup of Kahlua
blend all ingredients and pour into pretty decanter (that seals) and refrigerate.
What’s your favorite Christmas movie? I always love It’s a Wonderful Life as the eternal message of appreciating what you have, never gets old. But I have to admit I’m still partial to my childhood favorite A Charlie Brown Christmas. In fact I have the jazzy soundtrack, if only I could set up my CD player I would be listening to it right now…
George Bailey would be better off dead, so he thinks…until Clarence (his guardian angel) teaches him a lesson he’ll never forget.
As for Christmas dinner, I pretty much don’t use recipes anymore except for my shortbread and desserts. The turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce are all in my head at this point. There’s still that chance that something will spoil on the day of cooking…just maybe the stuffing won’t be perfect. Does it really matter? Of course NOT! See my review of Brene Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection…
I’m going to get my grocery list made, sit down and have a taste of Bailey’s on ice…I can finish the wrapping later. Pardon me? It is later, you say?
Pssst, if you’re feeling down and it’s your first Christmas after divorce check out my post over at DivorcedMoms, Christmas Tradition Switch Up for tips to renew your Christmas spirit.
Are you excited for Christmas or are you like me, obsessing over details and perfection? What’s your favorite Christmas movie? Please share, as I could use your company.
Leave a comment, I LOVE ’em!
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My Inner Chick
December 30, 2013 at 3:29 pmWhat a great post, Lisa. I love the man carefully picking out his wife’s chocolates. Tender & Moving.
& I LOVE Bailey’s! I actually bought some for Christmas this year to savor.
My fave. Christmas Movie is The Christmas Carol (1938 Version)
Happy New Year, Dear. Xxxx
lisa
December 30, 2013 at 5:34 pmThanks, Kim! We watched ‘A Christmas Carol’ on Christmas Eve, our tradition. Hope your holidays were wonderful, Kim xo
Beverly Diehl
December 27, 2013 at 8:59 amI love Charlie Brown Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life, too, but my favorite is Christmas Vacation, with Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo.
My son fell in love with it when he was about 7-8, and so that became one of OUR traditions, the night before Christmas, we would snuggle on the couch, eating cookies and drinking eggnog and laughing our asses off. And now, I love that it is a fond tribute to all the things that can go wrong (especially for those who try to do too much), how family can be beyond annoying, and YET… everything still turns out okay.
lisa
December 27, 2013 at 10:52 amYes! That’s a good one, Beverly! I forgot about that one this year but it’s hilarious and with a positive message, too. Sounds like a nice tradition with your son 🙂
Mammie
December 24, 2013 at 11:15 pmI love your style so much. And May joy and happiness snow on you, may the bells jingle for you and may Santa be extra good to you! Merry Christmas!!
lisa
January 7, 2014 at 5:43 pmThank you Mammie!
Jodi Lobozzo Aman
December 24, 2013 at 3:09 amBeautiful story. Many times this is how people know about leaving, when they see what it could be like…
Jodi Lobozzo Aman
December 24, 2013 at 3:09 amI wish I had seen this recipe earlier. would have totally made it for tonight! It was a sweet story, but sometimes that’s how you know to go a different path, when it is not as loving….
lisa
December 24, 2013 at 9:06 amYes, i agree Jodi. The strangest moments can show us what path to take. Have a lovely Christmas!
Lynne
December 23, 2013 at 8:38 amKahlua ?! Now why didn’t I think of that? Is it a yummy addition?
I sat and sipped on the Baileys yesterday with my visiting family. We had it after the Christmas dinner and then AGAIN in the morning with our coffee.
It was D.E.L.I.S.H.
If you feel a little grump coming on, take a little sip. sip. sip.
*Hiccup* I think it is medicinal at this time of year. 🙂
Merry HoHo !!!
Lynne xxox
lisa
December 23, 2013 at 10:21 amYes, the Kahlua is quite nice. Ha! Yes, sip, sip, hiccup. I still have to try it in my coffee 🙂 Have a wonderful Christmas, Lynne! Thanks for stopping by.
Kelly Hashway
December 23, 2013 at 7:56 amI still have never seen It’s a Wonderful Life. I love Charlie Brown’s Christmas though. 😉
Merry Christmas, Lisa!
lisa
December 23, 2013 at 10:20 amThanks, Kelly! ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is a long one. Yes, the Peanuts gang are always sweet.
Mike
December 22, 2013 at 11:13 pmLOVED this post, Lisa! We are dialed in and good for Christmas. Please don’t be grumpy…you are far too special to expend any energy “there”. That interlude with the man and the chocolates rocked. I love meeting strangers like that. And I know exactly what you mean about meeting someone that puts you immediately at ease. I love meeting strangers and seeing what happens. OMG…pullleezzze make me one of those drinks! Phoenix will be my D.D. We still haven’t got the part of him reaching the pedals down yet. But, will finagle our way through it. Thank you for including two of my FAV movie clips too! Merry Christmas, our friend! 🙂
lisa
December 23, 2013 at 6:30 amAw, thanks Mike! I am officially out of my Christmas grumps 🙂 Yes, sometimes little moments give us the clarity we need. OMG, I can just picture Phoenix and you driving along…he might steal your hat for the road lol. Merry Christmas, Mike and thanks for your lovely comment.