For the past week I have been baking like crazy. I decided this year that I was tired of scouring stores to find gifts that in no way mark how I feel about the person. "Merry Christmas, here's a kitchen towel." "Happy Holidays, enjoy your socks from the dollar store." See, crap.
The above is an exaggeration. I actually think I'm pretty good at giving gifts. I often give music or books that have had an affect on me that year and that I want to share with that person, and I spend a lot of time deciding which book matches which person best, who will want to hear which songs, etc. I realized the other day, however, that these are things that I could be doing throughout the year, and that I really wanted to give people things from the heart that I had worked on, not just that I had chosen.
So the baking started. Technically it started for my little sister's bridal shower (yay, Rachel!) for which I cooked about 60 cookies (gingerbread and sugar), a four layer "Finnish Cake" (ask me to make it for you sometime, it is DIVINE!), and a bunch of Pulla (a Finnish sweet bread). Something about working so hard to make things for the people I care about was really satisfying.
I baked a bunch of loaves of pulla for the women in Vegor's office, and it was well-recieved, and after making a bunch of dough last night (along with the 12 dozen cookies I made, mostly for my students) I will spend tonight finishing up so that I can go and deliver these goodies to loved ones.
I think I've moved into the realm of homemade Christmas. After a traumatizing two and a half hours looking for a Christmas tree stand (in, I kid you not, 11 different stores, from Target to Savers), I realized that I lose the old Christmas spirit pretty quickly when I am forced to walk through crowds of people fighting over the best-priced anything. I wanted to vow that I wouldn't go back shopping until Christmas was over, but I do have to get groceries, so I am a bit out of luck. However, I won't be buying anything but the food we need, and I have to say, it feels so good! I haven't felt this Christmas-y in a long time, and I think that not being part of the commercial hubbub that normally surrounds it is really helping.
My friend Nathan did something really cool for Christmas this year. When people started asking him "What do you want for Christmas," he said, "Do something nice for someone else." Then he started getting cards/emails, etc. from people telling him of the things they were doing for others, and how it made them feel. I would love to see this type of response to Christmas in all of us, as I think it brings us much closer to remembering the reason for the season. I know that we all like to tell ourselves about the "real meaning of Christmas," but let's be honest, when we devote so much of our attention to the gifts, we don't open our hearts enough to think about why we're even giving them. I'm not saying giving gifts (or getting them) is a bad thing, but rather, the emphasis we place on that process often detracts us from just loving our family, friends and neighbors. I can honestly say that some of my best Christmases have been the most meager because I ended up just spending such great quality time with people that I love.
I'm really trying to be extra kind to people I see and come in contact with in an effort to maybe bring the Christmas spirit to them as well, I encourage everyone else to do the same. Merry Christmas!
(That was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too sappy for me. I apologize. I'm sure my sardonic wit will be back soon. At least I hope it will.)
3 comments:
i agree with you completely-- i like what you said... "we don't open our hearts enough to think about why we're even giving them." i see people around me (myself included) stressing out about what they will get someone for christmas that it eventually puts them in a bad mood, which seems so ridiculous, but it happens all of the time! i have even found myself starting to dislike christmas because of all of the emphasis on things things things. next year i want to do what your friend nathan is doing. very good idea. also, we need to plan a serious ladylike tea party. maybe it can even be a tea and finnish cake party???
Aw, sweet sentiment (even if it is uncharacteristically sappy). I agree. Last night I was up baking cookies too! Cookies I will be mailing out today to my two best friends and who, when they finally get these cookies will have no real idea of how great they tasted when they were fresh.
This year is a much slimmer year (presents wise) around the Konchar casa and while I am a little worried about how the kids will react, I have had fun making sure we've been doing family memory-making activities along the way. I love our little traditions.
I think the nicest Christmas I have ever had, avoiding crowds and such, was the year the twins were born. I was forced to plan ahead, do less, and I even got all my grocery/necessity items bought by the beginning of December so I didn't have to go back during the month. Is there anything more depressing than having to brave the crowds at Target just to get the detergent you need?
You didn't mention the traffic! I am not usually one for road rage but when it's 3 in the afternoon on a weekday and it takes me an hour to get home for where it would usually take 20 minutes it makes me want to stay home. Last night I read Drew the book the Tale of the Three Trees and he's finally old enough to understand some of the concepts like that the first tree did get to be a treasure chest because he cradled the baby Jesus when he was born and the tree knew that was the greatest treasure in all the world. He's also old enough to snoop and that's so irritating!
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