With Decorations Away, Bring on 2012

On January 2, 2012, I officially made Christmas go away.

As I’ve said before, I am a Christmas nerd. I love the decorations, the smells, the food, the parties, the music – all of it. There is barely a corner of my house without a jingle bell or twinkle light and I wouldn’t have it any other way. However, come January 1, I am always ready to see it end.

Perhaps it’s the dead tree dropping needles and threatening to set the playroom afire if there is so much of a warm breeze that wafts its way. Maybe it’s the myriad of extension cords that emerge from every single outlet in the house.

Or it could just be the feeling of “out with the old, in with the new.” I am always breathing a sigh of relief when the last of the season is stored away in the attic for another 12 months.

But this year? I felt sad.

I am still trying to figure out why I have such a Christmas hangover. It seemed to sneak up on me and took a while to sink in (later than usual, as normally I’m anticipating the day after Thanksgiving to start getting my Christmas on). By the second week in December, however, I was finally on board.

Georgia seemed to edit her Christmas list on a daily basis. While Ben was a little cooler about it (as 10-year-old boys tend to be), Quinn had finally grasped the whole concept. He chattered on and on about “Seenta Claus!” and the reindeer and could sing Jingle Bells in its entirety.

Even after December 25, school vacation seemed pretty easy (the older two spent a few days with their grandparents while I had to work), but the few extra days off together were perfect.

I wish I could tell you that the five of us spent the whole time taking long walks and playing board games together but with three kids that span 8 1/2 years, it’s almost impossible.

The time that we did get to spend together – whether it be watching a movie, test-driving new Christmas presents or even just going shopping – felt like quality time.

On our last day before returning to work and school, I got to spend a little time with each of the kids. Georgia and I painted her nails (a new manicure set was her favorite Christmas present), I logged some serious one-on-one time with a sick Quinn (babies with colds are awfully snuggly and super warm) and even got an “I love you” from Ben as he went to bed – although I’m sure he’d deny it if asked.

As we packed up the ornaments, tossed out the dead tree and put the presents away, I got a little sentimental. I guess that I’ll look back on 2011 with a smile, as there were some fantastic memories that I’ll never forget. Far from perfect, of course, but looking at all that we seem to have, I can’t help but feel insanely fortunate.

And so, 2012, bring it on. I welcome you with open arms, an optimistic smile and hope for all the happiness we saw in 2011 – plus a little more. A healthy family, friends and prosperity for all, mixed with a dose of laughter and luck is what I expect from you. Look back with fond memories, look forward with hope.

As for the decorations in the corner of the attic, I’ll see you cats next December. Eleven months and counting!