Christmas feels different to me this year. Everything seems to be going the same: decorations and a tree shortly after Thanksgiving, Christmas jammies for the babe, Christmas music to fill my heart with joy, and gift-giving plans in the works.
But this year, I feel different. I feel bad about the pagan holiday traditions. I tried reading about it and it just confused me more. As I am raising my ever-learning daughter, and putting a lot of thought into what and how we are teaching her, I have confused myself about what is this Christmas holiday that we put forth so much energy on? I have always loved Christmas, the spirit of Christmas, the feeling of Christmas, the gift-giving nature and element of surprises of Christmas, the cooking, dinners, desserts, family gathering, adorable attire, and I could go on and on.
But an unknown large man dressed in red and fluff. Flying reindeer. Jingle bells. Elves. Trees and lights inside our house. Gift wish lists. What is all that? And how do I explain that to my daughter who looks to us for guidance and explanation? Not quite this year, but all the years to come.
Christmas is supposed to be about Jesus and celebrating his birth. However, I was reminded that I grew up believing in both Jesus and Santa, and it didn't ruin me, and I'm not upset about those beliefs as a child. I never want my child to miss out on exciting childlike fantasies and surprises, and I would never want my child ruining the fun for others. Therefore, Farrah will be taught both Jesus and Santa, but I will strongly teach and encourage the Jesus story and meaning.
Maybe as she grows up, we will start traditions such as the Money Jar or giving gifts to represent the celebration of the King Jesus who was born on this Earth for us.
Even so, Christmas was wonderful this year! We had the kids for Christmas Eve so we treated it like Christmas morning, and it felt just fine! Luckily and sadly, Kylie found out about Santa this year, merely five days before Christmas! She saw a singer she admires on social media saying something about how maybe her parents are the Tooth Fairy, and so Kylie asked her mom, several times, if she was Santa, and after her mom replied that she didn't know, and Kylie kept prompting a truth out of her, they discussed it with Kaden. I could tell that Kylie felt grown-up and proud to know, more than she was disappointed or anything. I can admit, it will make the holidays a little easier with where Santa delivers presents and with them not having to ask for the same gifts from both parents anymore (and receiving multiples of gifts). They promised to keep Santa alive for Farrah, though! So, both Kaden and Kylie believed until age 11.
Farrah received a kitchen set and absolutely loves it. She plays so well with her pretend wa-wa (water), getting glasses from the sink and freezer door, washing her dishes with a white (wipe), using an oven mitt when things are "hot," and pushing pretend "beeping" buttons on the microwave. She didn't really care to open any other gifts, although she got a couple small ones (a Farrah puzzle, Snackeez cup, Nesting Dolls, Bubble Guppies DVD, pretend makeup). Kaden's main gifts from us were his mounted antlers, a money safe, buck knife, wallet, shirt, NF coat, survival book, and bow stabilizer. Kylie's were her mounted antlers, a bluetooth speaker, ukulele, nail dryer, NF coat, book on hair styles, another book for girls, makeup, and some clothes, specifically skinny jeans. From their mom, Kylie also got a Kurio watch and Kaden got a virtual reality (VR).
I got a beautiful Mother's ring as well as nude booties, a honeysuckle woodwick candle, a necklace from Farrah that says "First my Mother, Forever my Friend" and a bin 8 kitchen utensil set. Keane and I both bought Hell or High Water for each other on DVD! I also got him a coffee pot since he complains about my Keurig, a rustic mail holder, a new radio, AE undies, and a grow light for veggies.
We went to Keane's family Christmas on Christmas evening, and we will be getting together with my family this coming weekend since the weather prevented my sister from coming home the weekend prior to Christmas!
Lindsay came home from Arizona to surprise her parents for the Christmas holiday so I got to see her a few times while she was home, including an evening that Lindsay, her friend Matt, Julie, and Howard came over to our house and we had a lot of food and played Cards Against Humanity all night!
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