'tis the season.

Once again, the stores are decked out in green and red and tinsel and bells. My mailbox is exploding with unsolicited catalogs, and my credit card bill is aching under the combined weight of birthdays and multi-denominational gift-giving celebrations. I need to bake, shop, and bake some more, pronto.

Usually, around this time, I get cranky. The barrage of CHRISTMAS from every corner wears at my mood and triggers decades-old irritation and resentment. But this year, I'm sort of feeling immune to it all.

For one, we've done the bulk of our holiday shopping already, thanks to the screaming deals we found at the semi-annual GoLite warehouse sale and a weekend day on which we were both too sick to play outside. But more important, I think, is the fact that Christmas is now a part of my life.

Fortunately for me, Steve's version of Christmas involves very little Baby Jesus and a whole lot of good cheer, good food, and great gifts. I had a wonderful time celebrating with the Freiburger clan last Christmas, and I'm truly looking forward to this year's trip. (Also, we'll be driving the Volvo all the way to Wisconsin, which adds an extra layer of adventure to the experience. Just think - Nebraska! A whole new state to add to my travel resume.)

I still feel a few pangs of ambivalence when we put up the tree in our house, and I certainly bristle against the ubiquitude of Christmas in our streets, our shops and - most aggravatingly - our schools. But, by marrying Steve, I acquired a new set of traditions and celebrations, and I think I've finally come to accept, and even love them.

After all, Christmas (as we do it) is about gathering with family and friends, eating favorite foods, and sharing with each other gifts selected with love and care. And what is Hanukkah about (at least as we do it)? Just that, as well.

Comments

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Did you forget lighting 8 nights of a progressive number of candles, singing Hanukah songs about the great miracle that happened then, playing dredal, and the religious significance of eating latkes? It's not a completely secular holiday at our house, gift giving aside, but it does include gatherings of family, friends and good food. I'm glad you can experience both worlds in a positive light and with improved sound quality. Love, DAD