Christmas has always been a busy time for me but never as busy as this year has been. This year I didn't even have time to put up a tree and, after talking to a few other friends, apparently I wasn't the only one who didn't have time to decorate. A couple of relatives were a little perplexed because I didn't decorate much this year and they had no reservations in voicing their opinions on the subject. I just told them that I don't need decorations to feel the spirit of Christmas in my heart. In fact, if the Christmas spirit is dependent on a Christmas tree I would have experienced that warm Christmas feeling at Halloween when I was at the mall walking past holiday decorations and listening to the Christmas Carols which were being piped in on the speaker system.
In some countries Christmas is simply another excuse to celebrate. It doesn't matter if you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, the season is about faith and love, not tinsel and decorations. When we make the Christmas spirit contingent on putting up a Christmas tree it minimizes what this season is all about. In my home, the tree is for invoking memories and watching a child's eyes light up but the tree is not about Christmas. This year I am not hosting Christmas and I was short on time, therefore, I didn't feel it was necessary to invest too much time in decorating. However, I do miss seeing the multitude of home made ornaments that I have treasured for years hanging on the tree and illuminated by the tree lights.
I feel the Christmas spirit when sharing time with my friends and family. My weekend was spent making cookies with my granddaughter, time with family, shopping with a friend, and on Christmas morning my daughter spent 40 hours travelling so she could surprise me on Christmas morning. After lots of hugs and tears we watched two excited children enjoy their gifts then we spent time together preparing a brunch. This is what Christmas is truly about. I had the best Christmas ever and no tree was necessary to achieve this.
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