Finding My Inner Kris Kringle: Caffeinated Mama

Some are born with the Christmas spirit. I need a plan. I’ve decided to take on the Christmas customs I can live with at a rate of one per year, working up to a tree when Celia is about four. First, I will indulge in a favorite childhood tradition: stockings.

I ordered three velvet socks with silver tassels. I plan to get some Elmer’s Glue and some glitter and write our names on them. Some logistics need to be worked out, such as whether to put Mommy and Daddy or Patti and Jason. And should I get some mini stockings for our dogs, Petey and Albany?

I’ll fill Celia’s with little gifts, just like my mom did from the time I was little until a couple of years ago, when my mom, my sister, and I declared a moratorium on trinkets.

Jason has hobbies and is easy to find trinkets for. I’ll drop some subtle hints that he needs to gather up some for my sock. I’ll probably write, “Buy stocking stuffers for your wife!!!” on a post-it note and stick it on the coffee pot on Christmas Eve morning.

We plan to fill the house with music and the smell of freshly baked cookies. I may make the ones shaped like candy canes and sprinkled with peppermint even though they are labor-intensive.

I won’t go to the mall, even for the Santa photo op, or any tree lightings. But I’ll tie up the presents I bought online with ribbons. Would it be a downer to wrap my gifts in brown bags from the grocery store? I have issues with wrapping paper …

I don’t plan to buy Celia any gifts. Am I horrible? Here’s what I’m thinking: she’s one. She will get tons of presents from the many grandparents who adore her. She won’t know who got her what. Did I mention she’s one?

I want Christmas to be fun for all of us, a truly happy holiday. I don’t want to pass on my holiday hang-ups to my child, I just want her to enjoy Christmas and, hopefully, find meaning amid the tinsel. I want her to understand it’s about connecting with the people you love, appreciating all you have, being generous, and … pigging out on cookies while listening to Darlene Love: “They’re singing, ‘Deck the Halls,’ but it’s not like Christmas at all, ‘Cause I remember when you were here, and all the fun we had last year!”