My Christmas cards went into the mail today. I bought a
lovely large silk poinsettia. I’ll attend a few holiday parties—my RWA
chapter’s, one with friends, one with my bookclub—and that, my friends, will
probably be the extent of Christmas at our house, at least in December.
When my boys were little, we spent a lot of time on the road
during Christmas. My parents were five hours away so we’d pop south to visit
them for a night and then we’d drive three hours east to visit my husband’s
parents. Then it was a six-hour drive home. I have to confess that as much as I
enjoyed visiting with our families, I also welcomed the two years when it
snowed over Christmas because the boys got to sleep in their beds and Santa
visited at our house. There wasn’t the stress of driving roads, usually in the
cold and rain, filled with traffic as others tried to join family elsewhere.
It was just us—snug in our home.
So when my boys started getting serious about their
girlfriends, I encouraged them to spend the holiday with her family. Drive to
one destination, relax, enjoy the holiday. We’ll have our “Christmas” sometime
in January.
And we’ve done that for five years now. Hubby and I started
a tradition of going out to a very nice restaurant on Christmas Eve. Christmas
day we catch a movie, then come home and prepare a small turkey dinner. It’s
relaxed, it’s enjoyable, and I don’t have to worry about my boys being on the
road.
I usually put up a tree but this year we’ll be meeting later
than usual—in February—so I’m thinking the tree probably won’t go up. Or maybe
it will. I haven’t decided.
I know the holidays can be difficult for those who don’t
have family near or friends to visit. I think this is where creating other
traditions for ourselves can be helpful, can give us something special to look
forward to. After our turkey dinner, I’ll watch a few Christmas movies—Love Actually, It’s a Wonderful Life, How
the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Then I’ll probably curl up with a good book. What book would
you recommend for holiday reading?
Lorraine has a Christmas novella, Deck the Halls with Love, that came out last Christmas. It’s a
story of second chances.
Lorraine will give away a copy of her Christmas
novella and her latest novel, ONCE MORE, MY DARLING ROGUE, to one lucky poster. Leave a comment for a chance to win!
Happy Holidays!
*** Lorraine's winner is Carol L! Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your mailing details!***
13 comments:
Thanks for sharing. My family also spent Christmases on the road. My husband's family lived 2 hours south of us and my family was 2 hours east. Every year we'd alternate the holidays. Living in Wisconsin we had many bitter cold and sometimes snowy drives. Now that my 4 children are grown and married we are happy with whatever time they want to share with us.
One of my favorite holiday books is Curtiss Matloch's- MIRACLE ON I-40. It showcases unselfish, unconditional love, forgiveness and faith and belief in the magic of Christmas.
Our Christmas Days have gotten more like yours in recent years, and I...like them. We always stayed at home on Christmas (after the first couple years of having to show up somewhere) but it was so much fun when there was noise and hubbub and raucous card games. I'm still getting used to the quiet part.
I read Mary Balogh's A CHRISTMAS PROMISE over and over, and I also love the one Laurie mentioned by Curtissann Matlock. I've broken down and put them both on my Kindle.
Merry Christmas!
Mine might be an odd choice but I read A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote every year and have always loved the writing and the story...it is bittersweet and funny.
What a wonderful tradition!!! Definitely pays to take the stress and worry out of what is suppose to be an enjoyable holiday/event. Thanks for sharing!
I hate doing Christmas Day on the road. When my boys were little, I put my foot down. They get to wake up in their own bed and open the gifts from Santa under our tree. Eat dinner on my china in our home. We can visit another day during the week off.
Denise
What a great attitude you have about the holidays. My go to Christmas book is The Gift of the Magi. I have always loved it.
Christmas for us is a quiet family affair. I love it.
As to recommendation, any Christmas themed book gets my vote.
Christmas has gotten qquieter as my 7 now have big families of their own. When you have children I think it's easier to stay at home. Let everyone come to you. I think for Christmas reading The Christmas Box and Christmas Promise.
Have a happy holiday.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
I love watching LOVE ACTUALLY too! Great post!
I love a low-key Christmas! It always sneaks ups on me. I caught a cold over Thanksgiving, so I'm not in the mood for getting all the things done I would like to this week. I'll probably be reading some holiday stories to get me in the mood.
sallans d at yahoo dot com
We're either spending it at home or at my grandma. Either way, we cook and then, at about 5-6 we start visit all the family in the city :D
There are always so many great holiday stories out this time of year, but I would recommend Christmas in the Duke's Arms an anthology with stories by Grace Burrowes, Shana Galen, Carolyn Jewel and Miranda Neville.
everything changes when the time passes Lost Property of London Bags
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