It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

This time of year, like no other time of year can become fraught with stress, lack of sleep, over spending, over extending and frustration.  The pace has the very great possibility of picking up speed faster than Clark W. Griswold's coaster as it sped down that hillside.  And for what?  Usually a great crash.

Make no mistake, I have been that harried woman, baking and shopping and wrapping and decorating.  I've pulled all the stops and tried to have the hap hap happiest Christmas this side of Danny and Bing.  And sat back on Christmas Day and thought to myself, "that's it?!?  It's over??"  All the hustle and bustle and within that can so easily be lost the most fundamental aspect of what December is meant to be about.  And I'm not just talking about the religious aspect (though let's be honest..that gets lost more than it ought).

No, I'm talking about enjoying the simple pleasures.  The ones that don't cost that arm and that leg. The ones that can be shared with others or alone.  Those little things that just light you up inside bigger than the Griswold's 250 strands of lights.  The ones that allow you to enjoy something simply wonderful each day of the month, that create lasting memories, not just for others but for yourself.

Paula was talking about this last night on her blog (yes, that same Paula who started me off with offering cards to anyone who would like one delivered right to their postal mailbox -- the offer still stands by the way -- you'll find my email on my profile) where she listed the simple things, the ones that are free or don't cost much at all, that make this holiday season so special.  We were invited to create our own lists which I've done.  If you'd like, slide down a little to Amy Grant's rendition of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" while you peruse my list.  Hopefully you'll find a little inspiration and make your own list of wonders....

Some of Sherry's Simple Pleasures (in no particular order)

* freshly baked shortbread where the edges are golden brown

* popcorn and cranberries strung to hang on the tree**

* the scent of pine (and I only like it in December...)

* glowing white candles grouped together and singly

* mincemeat -- squares, tarts or pies

* gingerbread

* specialty coffee -- flavours like pumpkin spice, butter rum, gingerbread or egg nog

* egg nog with rum and a cinnamon stick to stir

* white lights

* presents that are wrapped in paper, not in gift bags

* holly & ivy

* handmade ornaments (by my children, by artisans, by myself, by friends)

* photographs of Christmas times in the past

* caroling

* mulled wine

* Christmas hymns

* children lined up to see Santa and some of the hysterical faces

* the look on someone's face when they open that gift you gave that said "I really know you"

* cards in the mail

* Salvation Army bands

* Salvation Army buckets

* adding cash to one of those buckets every time I see one

* toy drives for children who may have nothing to receive

* how my taste in decorating changes year to year

* Mahalia Jackson singing "Go Tell It On the Mountain"

* Silent Night -- in German

* O Come All Ye Faithful in Latin (Adeste Fideles)

* the day we buy a tree

* my Santa and snowmen collections

* angels

* Miracle on 34th Street (because I still believe)

* National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation watched with my children

* Feliz Navidad sung by Jose Feliciano (you thought that would be #1 didn't you?!)

* A Christmas Carol

* White Christmas

* Twas the Night Before Christmas

* stockings filled with treats (love the dollar store for those; and then some bigger treats too)

* candy canes

* The Nutcracker ballet and the amazing music by Tchaikovsky

and there is much, much more...

** those garlands can be put outside when the holiday is over for the birds (or in many cases, the squirrels) to enjoy.

It truly is, the most wonderful time of the year....