So This Is Chirstmas

Question: which word in the following sentence is completely meaningless?

We don't have a Christmas Tree yet.

If you guessed the word yet, then you are correct.

I have been speaking that sentence for weeks.

While it is true that we have not bought a tree, adding the word yet to the end of that sentence only adds false hope to our Christmas spirit.

It would be more accurate to say that we haven't bought a tree, and even more accurate to say that we probably won't buy a tree.

Last year, our tree was purchased and decorated before Thanksgiving dinner was on the table.

And last year we had a very happy Christmas.

So why don't we have a tree this year? Well. We have several excuses.

1.) There is too much disarray in our home for a tree to stand properly.

2.) There are too many other things that we have spent our money on.

3.) We have a toddler.

4.) Refer to my other blog for a poem about it. :)

5.) It's a long story:

Several years ago, my husbands family decided they would stop buying presents for everyone and would instead draw names and write Christmas gift wish lists. The rules limit spending to $50 and gifts to whatever the person whose name you drew has requested.

At first, I thought that was a great idea. But four years into it, I have grown tired of the ritual. Why are we buying gifts for each other at all? Why don't we all just take our $50 and buy our own gifts?

This Christmas, I sent this:

Sara's Christmas Desires:
There are certain things that I desire and things that I need, and I did make a list of them.  However, over time I have decided that above all I want to be surprised with an amount of  thoughtful things, tangible or not.

Osstay the istlay!

....

This year, I don't care about presents. Don't get me wrong; I love giving presents to people. But I am a sporadic giver. I give presents throughout the year as many times as I think about it. Which, it turns out, is pretty frequently.

As for Christmas traditions, I'll keep what I love. I love the rib roast dinner and our Christmas Eve family picninc and the amazing full-feature family video that my brother in law puts together each year. I love that we get to spend a whole day with family and friends.

So THIS is Christmas.

Leave the tree. Leave the lights. Leave the knick knacks. Leave the gifts.

LONG LIVE THE SPIRIT!