If you’re like me you’re staring at a calendar with disbelief.
Hold up.
Somehow the calendar tells me Christmas happens in eleven days and only two nights of Hanukkah remain.
Where did the time go? I usually take Black Friday to clear most names off my shopping list and plan my holiday cheer. This year we spent Thanksgiving in Paris (woe is me, I know!). Since Thanksgiving pertains totally to America (and on a different date in Canada), we enjoyed Turkey Day in a wine bar.
Black Friday saw the unique Montmartre arrondissement, with the original Moulin Rouge and the stunning Sacre Coeur. Not a bad exchange, if I do say so myself. But all this time spent gallivanting around Europe left me back in the states a bit startled by twinkle lights and holiday tunes, inside screaming, “I’M NOT READY!”
There’s a huge part of me that pines to return to the land of wine, cheese, and all things French, if not already totally apparent.
And yes this post might be another excuse to share countless pictures taken on our trip.
With Mike traveling to Green Bay to watch his beloved Packers play and a bachelor party the next weekend – I’m flying solo on the holiday prep. Mike claims he’s not a Grinch, just Jewish. Not to mention my students shared their germs with me and a winter cold found its way to my sinuses/lungs/body. Also our house still being on the market means we can’t properly deck the [Jewish] halls with all things festive. Le sigh.
In the meantime, what’s a raised-Christian-converted-Jew to do to prepare for the holidays?!
- bought a turkey breast and plan to hold Thanksgiving-Take-2 in our home next week
- plan on shopping solo (I’ll get more done this way, anyways) this weekend
- attend a performance of my friend’s holiday ensemble, playing in the mall
- go to a Holiday Party tomorrow day followed by a Hannukah Party tomorrow night (all the parties!)
- blast holiday music via Spotify, especially Bare Naked Ladies renditions
- microwave red wine with a dash of allspice, cinnamon, brandy and OJ & call it “poor lady’s mulled wine” (seriously, this works really well)
- threw together a batch of peppermint, white chocolate puppy chow (warning: really easy to make and way too easy to enjoy)
- organized a homemade goodie/cookie swap at work
- hosting a New Year’s Eve Party!
Whew! I think that should do it!
What are you “tricks” for getting into the spirit of the holiday season?
Living in our nation's capital allows me to learn something new every day. So does teaching 2nd graders. My nose piercing and tattoos keep me from normalcy, while my job and religion keep me grounded.
