Merry Christmas and Happy Halloween

If there's one thing I'm determined to do this upcoming December, it's to celebrate Christmas like a four year old kid who believes in Santa Clause. Last year I missed Christmas. If you ever read the book "Skipping Christmas" that was basically me last year, except it was all unintentional. I wanted to deck out the halls, hang ornaments on the Christmas tree, help bake some delicious Christmas cookies, and dance around my house singing Christmas carols at the top of my lungs, but I didn't. Instead I was at work, dealing with the hundreds of grinches coming through my line. I had no idea that people could be such downers at Christmas. But I guess when you're spending hundreds of dollars on your kids or grandkids or nieces and nephews or spouse or parents or any other random family member you can think of, I guess it would kind of put you in a negative mood. However this year I'm absolutely determined to beat that. This year I'm going to get excited about Christmas. I'm going to listen to the songs on the radio, wear my comfy red Santa hat, and be bold enough to say Merry Christmas to customers even if it gets me in trouble. I mean, come on now. We all know everyone is in line to buy Christmas gifts, why should I be banned from at least wishing them a Merry Christmas? Why do we have to let such a joyful holiday be so political? (Sigh) America, sometimes you really disappoint me.

I have even more motivation to be Santa's little helper, mostly for the fact I just missed one of my favorite Holidays. I'm not sure how I missed it, but I did. Halloween just slipped through my fingers. I did absolutely nothing to celebrate Halloween. Nothing! I didn't carve a pumpkin or put any decorations up. I didn't go driving through my neighborhood to look at any scary decorations. I didn't wear my little black dress with my witch's hat and pass out candy with my cat. Didn't go to any Halloween parties. Didn't watch any scary movies (except for Stephen King's IT, which even though it was pretty stupid, still gave me odd nightmares). I didn't even have my traditional viewing of "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" You know when you missed watching The Peanuts there's something wrong.

So in order to celebrate Christmas this year I have devised a list of things to do to make sure I won't miss out on any of the Holiday fun...

1. Sing and listen to Christmas carols. This one's first because it is the essence to true Holiday spirit. You know how a song can put you in the best of moods even if you're having the worst day ever? Same applies. Music is magical, and that's why it's first.

2. Get Christmas shopping done EARLY. Christmas shopping can be stressful, and after having to work at a retail store during Christmas, I realize I don't want to be another Grinch in line. Plus it'll be one less worry.

3. Help decorate the Christmas tree. Every ornament on my tree usually has a story behind it, and most of the ornaments have been hung on my tree since I was a baby. Decorating the tree is tradition. This year, I won't miss it.

4. Decorate my room.

5. Eat plenty of Candy Canes. They may not be good for my teeth, but these are full of delicious minty sweetness...how can I pass them up?

6. Go Caroling with my friends. We may not sound the best, but we'll have fun.

7. Bake Christmas cookies. There's something so childlike and playful about cutting that sweet cookie dough with cute holiday cutters.

8. Attend the Christmas Eve service at my church. My favorite service to attend. Love it.

9. Kiss someone underneath a mistletoe. Let's hope by then I'll have someone I can kiss ;)

10. Watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas." I saved the best for last.

That oughta keep me busy. I might think up some more. As for now, let me go hum myself some Christmas tunes while I clean my room.