I’ll Be Home for Christmas
You can plan on me! What do the holidays mean to me, let me count the ways. It’s not one tangible thing, it’s many that come together to create such strong, loving memories that I cherish to this day and continue looking forward to each year. Now that it’s December I can gush about mine.
I live quite far from home. A 20+ hour drive to be more precise and a flight that during the holiday season can cost upwards of $1000. I don’t get to go home much and thus I’m left missing my families presence most of the year, but during the holiday season nothing can keep me away. To me it’s about the comfort of my family, the warmth of my Mom’s hugs, my grandmother always making sure to bake my brothers and my favourite holiday treats, actually seeing my brothers since I barely see them twice a year and partaking in the traditions we’ve created over years of being each others family. They’re ours and no one else’s and I love that. Like watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation every Christmas Eve. It doesn’t matter how many times we’ve seen it my brothers and I choke on our own laughter throughout the entire movie. It’s truly a priceless holiday gem and has created priceless memories in my life. What else… my Mom’s epic Christmas cookie tray. Friends, you know the one. The tiered platter covered in delicious calorie ridden treats. Also, to this day, my oldest brother (now in his 30’s) still wakes us all up Christmas morning (around 7 am) because he’s so excited to see what Santa brought him. I always tease him about it but it’s one of the memories I treasure every year.
[line]Top 3 Holiday memories of all time
3. My Grammie Ruby (aka the prankster). Without fail every year my Grandmother used to hide gifts, wrongly tag presents, wrap fake presents and even give presents with clues to what your real present was. We’d be in stitches every year and my Grammie just sat back and enjoyed every minute of it.
2. My now husbands first introduction to my family was during the 2007 holiday season. He flew in on Dec.26 and in P.E.I Boxing Day sales don’t start until at least the day after Boxing Day. Little fact about my Mom, when she’s got an idea in her head it’s full steam ahead with her mission. So what’s the best way for my new boyfriend to really get to know my Mom? By helping her find a new Christmas tree during the Boxing Day sales. A true bargain hunter, it appeared that Home Depot had the best mark downs. One small catch though, the only Home Depot on the island is in Charlottetown— a 45 minute drive away. A drive? No big deal. What makes this a funny story isn’t that we had to take a drive to Charlottetown or that my Mom was dead set on getting a new tree. It was the look on Scott’s face when my Mom told him that she wanted to ensure she got the best tree and thus had to be at the store the moment it opened… at 8 am. Meaning we had to leave at around 7 am to be there on time. I believe Scott’s response was something along the lines of, “Are you kidding me?” The best part? We weren’t in the store 2 minutes before my Mom said, “Um. I don’t want any of these trees. Let’s go.” So by 8:05 am we were finished at Home Depot. Little did Scott know this same attitude would be used in finding the perfect Winter coat years later. I’m truly blessed though that my Mom and husband are thick as thieves as my Mom is my everything. Love you Mom!
1. Not that I can remember it vividly but I have the pictures to prove it. My father used to dress up as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Not just for my brothers and I, but for all the children in our neighbourhood. He’d stop by each house and pay a visit to their kids and wish them all a merry Christmas. Finally he’d come home and pay us the same visit. I look back now at the photos and cherish them. To see how excited we were in the photos, not realizing it was our own Dad! Priceless. My father was an extremely giving, generous and amazing man and known for just that throughout our community. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss him, especially during the holiday season. I’ll settle for knowing he’s with me every single day. Love and miss you Dad.
[line]On another note, have you seen the new Old Navy holiday commercial? How they managed to get Chevy Chase (especially with all the drama lately), Beverly D’Angelo and Juliette Lewis to re-enact the lighting of the house I’ll never know. Lots of money I suppose! If you love Christmas Vacation then you’re going to want to check it out below.
What do the holidays mean to you? What are some of your favourite holiday memories? Now that it’s December let’s remember our personal faves and enjoy every day leading up to this festive season. I look forward to hearing from each and every one of you.
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Aimee December 3, 2012 at 11:29 am
One of my favourite traditions is getting new jammies from my Grammy and Grampy every year, and being allowed to open them on Christmas Eve. Last year my mom did the ordering on my Grammy’s behalf, and the nightie I got was actually a little more scandalous than it appeared in the Sears catalogue. It was fine with the addition of leggings and a cami, but it was kind of funny when I first tried them on. Grammy, thanks for the saucy jams!
Speaking of the Sears catalogue, do you remember when you were a kid and it would show up in the mail? I DROOLED over the toy section for hours. It was one of the most exciting things in the world.
One of my favourite newer traditions is to have a Christmas party with all of our PEI friends every year, and do the gift exchange (no stairs for Court). I can’t wait to see you and all the others over the holidays!!
Debi December 3, 2012 at 11:29 am
You gave me laughs and tears. luv u.
Court December 3, 2012 at 11:32 am
I loved this post. It made me smile and get excited as I too am heading back east soon! My favorite part of te holidays is being back home with my mom and Joe. The smells, the food and most important the company. Christmas at its core to me is family and friends. And there’s a special something about Christmas in PEI.
beautyjunket December 3, 2012 at 11:39 am
Loving the comments 🙂 Aimee- the night gown fiasco is hilarious. Can you wear that night gown to the holiday party (haha).
Mom- you’re the best. The 18th can’t come fast enough.
Court- I also can’t wait for the smells and company at your Mom’s house. xo
Judy December 3, 2012 at 11:54 am
I love you girls to bits! I can’t wait for you to all be home. Kat, your blog is so wonderful, but this one brought me almost to tears. Can’t do that at work!!!!
see you soon.
Debi December 3, 2012 at 5:55 pm
Aimee
My kind would circle things in the Sears catalogue and put their names beside them.
Debi December 3, 2012 at 5:56 pm
Kids not Kind.
Sam December 3, 2012 at 8:39 pm
My favourite memory from Christmas is recent, we have family dance parties in the kitchen. The music gets cranked, drinks are poured, and dancing is had. My brother plays the air every-instrument-you-can-hear and refuses to take no for an answer when dancing. We then pile in the car, go to midnight mass, come home, go to bed and do it all again then next night, with my mom eventually trying to shut it down while my dad continues to stay up with us. During Christmas out here in Fort Mac I’ve been lucky enough to Skype with my family during the festivities, so even though I’m not there I still get to participate with the party. Love it.
beautyjunket December 3, 2012 at 9:59 pm
HAHA. Aims, it’s true. We totally used to do that. As an adult I now realize it wasn’t exactly subtle.
Sam- that sounds AMAZING! What an amazing and fun tradition.
Keep’em coming folks!