2. The Christmas songs I like best are sad or depressing i.e.: Fairytale of New York by the Pogues, Hard Candy Christmas by Dolly Parton, Last Christmas by Wham!, Blue Christmas by Elvis.
3. Movies:
-I've never seen Love Actually and I don't have any desire to.
-The Home Alone family is chock full of assholes and I won't watch it. I prefer assholes of the Uncle Louis/Christmas Vacation variety. THE BLESSING.
4. You can always pick out the gifts I've wrapped - they look like festive crime scenes. Ho ho ho a psycho wrapped these!
5. I think the Elf on the Shelf is a hideous little turdburglar.
6. I adore Christmas Eve, it's always so relaxed and jolly. Christmas Day, meh. I feel like I'm always running to see someone or be somewhere at a certain time and just running on empty in general after a full season of celebrations. Christmas to me is much about the events and the festiveness of the month leading up to it, and when it's over, it's over. I am not looking to extend it. My personal idea of hell is having my Christmas stuff up inside for more than a month, which is why I put it up the Sunday after Thanksgiving and take it down in stages between 12/27 and 1/4.
7. I say HO HO HOooooooooooooo throughout the season a la the Santa in A Christmas Story to the point of being extremely annoying (I'm sure).
8. I love to see gorgeous Martha Stewart-esque Christmas scenes but have no desire to have them in my home.
9. I haven't decorated a tree in over 12 years. I rely on my perfectionist tree decorating husband to do that...
10. but the thought of one day having a home with numerous trees, some of them themed, entices me. I still don't want to decorate them though. Just bask in their glory. Even though this year's tree has been up un decorated aside from white lights for over two weeks, the glow of it is still just awesome.
hahahaha it looks like a psycho wrapped these. I've definitely had my fair share of festive crime scene wrap jobs....sometimes I'm ok and other times its a hot mess!
ReplyDeleteI love Home Alone, it's my Christmas must watch. I do like Love Actually too, even though it's not at all my type of movie. (rom coms make me barf.) There's some really hilarious parts.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely agree with #1! Just be pleased anyone is wishing you a happy anything, ya grinch.
How do you get away with not decorating a tree? I want to know your secrets. I enjoy the holidays and I don't even mind decorating but every single year I grumble about having to put up a tree. It's so much work and effort and I could spend my time in so many better ways. But everyone around me thinks that's weird and not Christmas-y. Bah humbug.
ReplyDeleteI do love Love Actually and Home Alone! I am also over the whining about what to wish people. We don't have Christmas break here, we have winter break. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the elf on a shelf; we have one for Jack but he doesn't really get it yet. I do mind people who post the pictures every. damn. day. When he is old enough to get it, we will maybe move it around, but I'm not going to come up with some damn scene every day.
My confession is that I hate people who get all philosophical about Santa and lying to their kids and is that right, are our kids going to be scarred because we lie to them about Santa and then they find out he's not real..Jesus is the reason for the season, blah blah blah. I fail to see how you are going to cause childhood trauma by not "doing" Santa and I firmly believe you can do Santa and still teach kids the reason behind Christmas and teach them to give to others, be kind, etc. People need to get over themselves.
I too would like a home with multiple trees but I wish they would decorate themselves. Decorating a tree always sounds like a great idea and then 20 minutes in I'm over it.
That should say "doing" Santa...not "not doing." Your kids will be ok if you Santa.
DeleteI've never watched Love Actually either, I'm not a movie fan and it's just never been all that appealing to me.
ReplyDeleteBut Love Actually has something for everyone from aging rockers to Mr. Bean to porn stars to cliche rom com romance - I love it! But I hated it the first time I saw it. The season is the fun part of Christmas, I totally agree, but the past few years I have felt stretched too thin and constantly wishing thing A would be over so I can move on to B, etc. Most of it is because of work-related stuff beyond my control - there are always at least three big events in three weeks - but I do need to get better about shopping, wrapping, and otherwise planning for personal things ahead of time. By the time I can enjoy the season, it's always over!
ReplyDeleteDoes MFD decorate your tree? Or do y'all just not have one? Tree decorating is no effing joke. My friends that have multiple themed trees each year also have an attic large enough to just store the tree put together and fully decorated (covered in a tarp). If I had that ability, I'd totally do more trees. :)
ReplyDeleteYou haven't decorated a tree in over 12 years?!?!?! May I ask why?!?! That blows my mind.
ReplyDeleteOne of my goals in life is to one day have multiple Christmas tree decorating my home, until then Ill just stick to my fake tree from Target. I just watched Christmas Vacation for the first time ever! I liked it so much more than I thought I would!
ReplyDeleteMy gift wrapping skills are less than desirable. I'm terrible at it. I'm sort of jealous that you haven't decorated a tree in over 12 years. I'm so bad at it. in fact, I have decorated my tree and didn't like it so I took it all down just to redo it. It probably looked better the first time.
ReplyDeleteI used to get mad about the Christmas thing, and then I realized how incredibly bitchy it was and decided it really went against the whole "Joy and Peace" message of the holiday.
ReplyDeleteI never watched Home Alone because I don't like McCulken's face (I have no idea if I spelled that right, and don't care). I tried Love Actually the other day and about 20 minutes in gave up...
We did lights and burlap ribbon on our tree, and were going to do ornaments the next night. But hubby said it looked nice with just that...and he was right. We haven't bothered with ornaments, but I did do our mantle!
Lucky you the husband decorates the tree! It's always so daunting especially taking it down but my husband would royally fuck it up so I have to do it myself. lol
ReplyDeleteI just watched Home Alone for the millionth time last night. I have to admit it's one of my favorites. but i did also notice how mean the entire family is. like when the uncle yells at kevin in front of the whole family "look what ya did you little jerk!!" like omg, what kind of an uncle does that!?!?! but I am a fan of Buzz's one liners. "i wouldn't let you sleep in my room if you were growing on my ass!!!" lol. gets me every time.
ReplyDeleteShout out to Peter Quinn. I'll take him under my tree.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the weeks leading up to Christmas rather than the actual holiday. On Christmas Eve and Christmas day we bounce from place to place. The kid is usually cranky and wants to stay home to play with the new toys from Santa. Love Actually is cute but I can't watch it over and over. Once was fine. Not a fan of Elf On A Shelf either. It seems like too much work!
ReplyDeleteMy Christmas wrapping consists of plopping things in a bag & tissue paper over the top. I love the season also but by the day I feel like Santa himself tired & ready to settle in for a long winter's nap.
ReplyDeleteChristmas EVE is our jam! And then we wake up exahusted and hungover on Christmas day and lazily watch the nieces and nephews open presents.
ReplyDeleteLove Actually is one of my guilty pleasures! Although Justin sent me a ridiculous article mocking the entire thing which made me rethink my love for it. We are big on A Muppet's Christmas Carol and Christmas Vacation! And Elf. Always Elf.
ha, I think you missed the window to see Love Actually and enjoy it. Well, as long as you don't get too analytical on it if you were to do so. I love the film to bits even though I get the criticism.
ReplyDeleteYes, the "Home Alone" family is full of a-holes but that's a John Hughes touch! Generally, the adults/older kids are the dumb/rude/mean ones. All about the kids. Though I'm pretty sure Uncle Frank is borderline abusive. ha.
#1 [cue my slow clapping at you]
Your husband does the tree? So cute. Last week as I walked out the door ours tipped over. My husband was like "I'll fix it!", so I left as planned. When I came back I saw that he had put it back in the base but let it fully remain scaled over to the side. Like thank you so much for the help...
Confession: I have never seen Home Alone. Mis-spent childhood, clearly. For me, it's all about Christmas day and the rest of the season I could do without! Possibly because we don't have Thanksgiving here so Christmas starts in like, mid November. Too much!
ReplyDeleteyes to #1. i say happy christmas because thats what my nana always said, because she doesn't like the word merry. i said it to some guy on the weekend, just out of habit and he started laughing because 'looks like you got happy holidays and merry christmas mixed up well i'm jewish so whatever' and i was like.. um. okay. bye.
ReplyDeletelast christmas by wham and blue christmas by elvis are the best! love them both.
i love Love Actually! it's super lame but it gets me every time.
i like the idea of multiple themed trees.. interesting.
We watch all the Christmas movies starting with Christmas Vacation on Thanksgiving night. Love, Actually is one of my favorites. They help put me in the holiday spirit as I need a little help in that department!
ReplyDeleteI prefer the time leading up
ReplyDeleteTo Christmas and half of the week after. Never watched Love Actually. Must watch The Christmas Story! That is my favorite.
Awesome that Mike Doyle does the tree. Sean craps out - kind of like what you kids did while making cut out cookies lol! I start just willy-nilly throwing things on the tree!
Jmj - so many Christmases under my belt !
Love. Your. Momma
Haha would love to see something you wrapped ;) You're so lucky to have a husband who will decorate for you for Christmas. It would be nice to have several trees decorated throughout your home, but so much work.
ReplyDeleteI actually really love Love Actually (see what I did there hahaha) and Home Alonebut could not agree more about how rude Kevin's family is!!!
ReplyDeletewww.amemoryofus.com
I love Home Alone, but I totally agree with the assholes in that family. Buzz is a turd. And I get overwhelmed by nice decorations year round... doing too much for one month when you have little storage space is out of my league. I do love seeing other people's pictures.
ReplyDeleteSaddest song ever - Christmas shoes - I want to cut my wrists every time.
ReplyDeleteI just saw Love Actually a few months ago - it wasn't all that great to me.
This the first year I have had 2 trees because I got a free one for my foyer which I always wanted but never wanted to spring for. I love it and the black & grey theme. Merry Christmas Darling by the Carpenters is one of my all time faves... very sad... about being alone and apart on Christmas lol, but I freaking love it!!!
ReplyDeleteSaw Love Actually once. HATED it. I told my coworkers that recently and one screamed, "YOU'RE NOT A REAL GIRL!" Uh, okay? Fine.
ReplyDeleteAs for this 'Happy Holidays' baloney, I can't handle it. I say Happy Holidays to everyone around this time cause guess what? NOT EVERYONE CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS. And Christmas is on 12/25, so when it's any other day I'm sort of just wishing you a generalized happy holiday season, and if that offends you...kick rocks. I hate the faux outrage over things that are just NOTHING.
Lastly, I love sad Christmas songs too - is that weird? Christmas Lights by Coldplay is so beautifully depressing. It's gold.
#8 is me 50%. I like half make it pretty, and then I get stressed out. I help decorate the tree, but I loathe it. Jason is much better at it, lol. I love Love Actually, but most other fave movies are the oldies, like It's a Wonderful Life :)
ReplyDeleteHahahahahahaha "Ho ho ho a psycho wrapped these!" I cant stop laughing! I am not a fan of Love, Actually either. Home Alone is a family full of assholes, but I still love it. The Elf really is a turdburglar!!!
ReplyDeleteI say Merry Christmas. I don't care who knows it! Just like I am not going to get offended if you say Happy Holidays or Happy Kwanzaa or whatever. People get their panties all in a bunch over the dumbest things. I mean, would they rather here have a shitty day or something?? Be happy someone is being nice to you!
3 of the Christmas songs you listed are on my work's Christmas playlist created by moi.
ReplyDeleteElf on the Shelf can suck it.
I heart Love Actually, and as many movies that we have in common (Grease 2, Urban Cowboy immediately come to mind), it slightly pains me that you haven't seen it.
My guy is a self-professed "militant atheist" (I am not), and he could care less if you wish him Merry Christmas. In fact, I posted something on our shop's facebook about Holiday gifts, and he had me change it to Christmas.
Definitely agree with your first point. Say what you want to say and forget your religious/political bullshit please! It's Christmas, it's the holidays, just be jolly! I'm with you on the season too, just the one month of decor, crazy schedules and gifts and then I'm ready to take it all down and move on. Now if only I could get someone to decorate my tree...
ReplyDeleteI am blessed to have a friend who, given some dinner and adult beverages, will wrap my presents for me. WINNING!
ReplyDeleteThe only Christmas movie I care to watch ONCE only during the season is A Wonderful Life. I can watch Christmas Vacation and The Christmas Story until the cows come home, over and over and over.
I am the tree decorating perfectionist here but I would cheerfully accept an MFD; this shit is exhausting!
I accept any and all positive wishes from anyone who cares to bestow them. Even Frosty gets it mixed up and says Happy Birthday - it's the thought that counts.
I wonder how rich the guy/gal is who invented the Elf on the Shelf. I resent him/her.
My favorite Christmas song is Carol of the Bells, which a lot of people find to be odd and depressing. Wham's Last Christmas is a very close second.
ReplyDeleteI also prefer Christmas Eve. Something about how by noon on Christmas, it feels like the holidays are over.
The Blessssssing! YES! And so much win with MFD tackling the Christmas tree! Jealoussss!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've never really understood why folks get their undies in a such a twist just because someone wished them Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. In this crazy and often cruel world, shouldn't we embrace the fact that someone took the time to wish us a Happy something? I say Happy Holidays because I have no idea if someone celebrates Christmas or Hanukkah. My "Happy Holidays" includes whatever holiday a person celebrates as well as a Happy New Year, too.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've never really understood why folks get their undies in a such a twist just because someone wished them Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. In this crazy and often cruel world, shouldn't we embrace the fact that someone took the time to wish us a Happy something? I say Happy Holidays because I have no idea if someone celebrates Christmas or Hanukkah. My "Happy Holidays" includes whatever holiday a person celebrates as well as a Happy New Year, too.
ReplyDeleteI watched Love Actually a couple of weeks ago for the first time & I did not understand what the big deal was at all. I almost shut it off multiple times.
ReplyDeleteI heard someone argue once, "I say Merry Christmas because *I* celebrate Christmas, not 'holidays'." And I'm sorry, but I just thought that was ridiculous. If you're extending a holiday wish to someone, it should at least attempt to actually reach them where they are. Do you wish others a "happy birthday" when it's your birthday? Of course not. I say "happy holidays" because I want to extend a wish for Hanukkah, Christmas, Solstice, Kwanzaa, New Years, or anything else someone might celebrate. To only wish "Merry Christmas" and get MAD about it is absurd and completely detracts from the intention of a holiday wish. If someone says ANYTHING to me in the way of wishing me a happy holiday season, I'll gracious accept it and return the sentiment. Anyone who can't do that is acting like an idiot, honestly. /rant.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen Home Alone (and was actually scolded for that fact yesterday) but I have to admit, Love Actually is one of my favorites.
Totally agree on #6 too. It's all fun and games...until the actual day is here.
Your man is the best! :) Please treat us all and post a picture of your wrapping skillz. Yes, with a Z. Lol
ReplyDeleteI agree regarding Elf on the Shelf and Christmas Eve. The 24th is usually so relaxed and happy. The 25th feels more ... meh. I don't know why.
ReplyDeleteI'm also terrible at wrapping things.
The Home Alone family really is just so terrible! I can't believe that the mom lets the uncle talk to her kid that way! I still love the movie and watch it all the time though. And you're so right about Christmas Eve and Christmas! Christmas is always so hectic with the cooking and everything and then it's just over.
ReplyDeleteLove Actually is one of the very, very few rom-coms I like. Probably because it's not all so happy. There are some messed up story lines. It's got a great cast and Emma Thompson's scene gets me every frickin' time. I've never seen any Vacation movie! We're hosting Christmas Eve this year so it'll be hectic leading up to it. So far we don't have any plans on Christmas day, which is a first! We might drop of the kids at my mom and dad's and see a bunch of movies.
ReplyDelete"The Home Alone family is chock full of assholes and I won't watch it." LOLOLOL I watch it enough for the both of us - and a couple of other people, to!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about Christmas Eve/Day. Day is so hectic. The driving... UGH!
elf on the shelf is creepy as fuck. i don't like looking at it.
ReplyDelete