I’m finally feeling the Christmas Spirit a week from Christmas. My shopping is done and I started wrapping my gifts yesterday morning. I have a few presents left to wrap and I’ll do that Thursday. I’ve been playing Christmas music nonstop since the middle of November but I’m ready for a break next week once Christmas draws to a close.
Last year was a better Christmas than expected, and not just because of the Christmas miracle we experienced. Benny and Aunt Sue were home from Children’s Hospital on Christmas Eve and we got to spend time with him in his hotel room while his mom shopped for Christmas presents at Target. I wasn’t needy of approval for my non binary fashion journey like I was the year prior and I wasn’t hungry for social media attention either. Aunt Sue introduced me to The Christmas Chronicles as well. Hoping for another Christmas miracle as well. I think I’ll be in a good place this holiday.
I made plans to get out to Ligonier before and after the holidays began. I took advantage of great weather on a Sunday in mid-November and walked around town. I even had some Christmas music to keep me company going to and from there. A month later, I promised myself I’d come out and see it all lit up and stayed true to my word. I got plenty of the pictures of the Diamond all lit up and even got to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than by going to Ligonier? Here’s a few pictures from my experiences.
I like to get my fill of Christmas movies and specials to make it a good holiday. Last year, I was told by a coworker about the Christmas Story sequel and so I watched it on the day after Thanksgiving. I really enjoyed it and waited for the opportunity to see it again, which is what I did yesterday. It was just as good as the first time I saw it last year. I started my movie tour with Elf and The Muppet Christmas Carol (a favorite of my late Gramma). I finally got to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas last week. I always enjoy the soundtrack to that show and anything Vince Guaraldi performs.
Last night before work, I put on The Polar Express. That got my Christmas spirit up and running. I still have a few movies and specials left on my list including my personal favorite, Christmas Eve on Sesame Street. I also need to watch Home Alone and Christmas Vacation before Christmas Day.
While wrapping gifts on Tuesday, I played one of my favorite Christmas albums (A Jolly Christmas by Frank Sinatra) and listened to one of my Gram’s favorite Christmas songs (The Christmas Waltz). That song always played when she would decorate the tree on Christmas Eve when my Mom and her siblings were young. The love of that song has been passed down by my mom onto me. While it can get tiring listening to Christmas music at work, I have my phone with me and play songs from Amazon Music. I’ve played Charlie Brown Christmas a few times, as well as Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. Also on my playlist was Mannheim Steamroller. One of the Christmas albums I started listening to this year was by the Carpenters and I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve heard their songs on WISH 99.7 during the holidays and so I played the whole record and it’s definitely worth the listen.
The countdown to Christmas just got real as we are less than a week away from Christmas Day. We’re getting our spread together for Christmas Eve and we’re still hoping for a Christmas Miracle. The Top Ten of 2023 just got real too as I am down to the two best events of the year. I’ve got plans for early 2024 but we can talk about that next week after the holidays ended. Check back all weekend for content and the number one event of 2023.
Stylish 🍒 