alternative xmas grinchy rant

Call me Grinchy, but I'm not a big fan of xmas. It's just not the same as when I was a kid, and it never will be. In fact, I find myself filling slowly with dread over the impending pressures I will put upon myself over the next month and a half to turn out perfect fudge, get some lights strung and a tree decorated, cook a succulent turkey, deliver presents on time, and perform the obligatory family visits.

'Tis the season to be jolly? Really. If you live as far north as we do, is there anyone who really enjoys this time of year? Everything alive has turned brown or grey, and you know that three more months of the bitterest cold lie ahead. I find it particularly hard to summon any type of merriment and cheer. The darkness that bookends my weekdays, the permeating cold, the constant ding of the black ice warning in my car, the bling and hooplah in every store, the end of a long semester at work ... I could go on ...wear me down. By the time work wraps up for the holidays, I know I will just want to wrap myself up in plaid flannel and curl up by the fire with Luciano Pupparotti and a mug of mulled wine.

For the past several years I tried to put the "x" back in xmas; sadly, this never happened ... too many responsibilities. And besides, everything shuts down and my friends are doing their family thing or sailing in the Caribbean (you know who you are). I blog, so putting the "x" back in xmas is only fun if it's a group thing and there are lots of photos.

This article, Christmas, revisited, makes me feel like I am not alone in my need for an alternative xmas. When it comes to making my plans for the yuletide season, I've learned that I should keep what really matters to me and mine and cut out all the other stuff like buying presents and washing dishes.

For starters, what matters to me for the yuletide holiday is spending time with my friends (which does not necessarily exclude family members), eating good food, and maximizing my sunshine intake as much as possible. Wearing my magic xmas pants and Santa earmuffs matters. Getting fresh air and exercise and making eggnog from scratch are also on my wishlist.

What's on your yuletide wishlist? Think about it and let me know in the comment window below. Maybe we can deck some halls together.