It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Justin just reminded me that there are only two weeks until Christmas. Depending on your circumstances that might seem like good news or bad news but whichever it is for you, it won’t be long now. The big day is almost here, But the great thing about retirement is that somehow, it’s just not such a big deal.

 

For some folks this means a bunch of hassle. Take shopping. It as been years since I set foot in a Toys R Us but I remember in years past that I shopped late at night in a vain attempt to avoid the crowds.

These days I just don’t have much shopping pressure going on. I haven’t bought a Christmas present yet and when I do, I don’t plan to brave the crowds at the mall. I expect to do it on line from Amazon.

 

We don’t have a tree up yet. With the kids out of the house, it gets harder and harder to get our and do it. My wife thinks it is a waste of effort. I’d say right now we’ve got about a 50% chance of doing a tree this year. I know it is the right thing to do and the only way I’m going to work up any real Christmas spirit. But it is still a challenge. Around my house, my wife is Scrooge and I’m Bob Cratchit. Where are those ghosts when you need them?

And then there are the Christmas cards? I’m going to send them but my original plan to create a photo montage of the year is looking like a non starter. I’ve got pictures somewhere but I just don’t have the time to find them. Then I have to put the card together. Somehow that has to happen this week – or not at all. It will probably be a stock card.

 

I don’t do lights either. A few years back, I decided to put up Christmas lights since our new house is only one story. I bought them and put them up thinking that it would finally satisfy my son who had been whining for years about having the only parents that didn’t decorate their house. Well instead of patting me on the back he pointed out that my lights were crocked unlike Mike’s across the street. That was the end of Christmas lights for me. I’ll just enjoy Mike’s and if my son wants lights, he can put them up himself.

So that’s what I have left to do for Christmas this year. Compared to other years when the kids were little, it doesn’t seem like much. Still I wonder if I will actually get it all done.  I haven’t even loaded the Christmas music in the CD player.

Well, enough about me.  What about your Christmas commitments and priorities?  What is your least favorite Christmas tradition and if you have eliminated it altogether, share that in a comment.