Ho Ho Ho?

I was in the mall yesterday doing the usual Christmas shopping, when I spied
 a cute man dressed in a red and white suit, sporting a white beard and mustache and laughing in a way that I couldn't stop smiling. I checked him out again...had I dated this guy?

Oh no...it was Santa Claus. I've really got to start writing stuff down now that I'm only months away from 50.

I spent most of my life in retail management, so Christmas is kind of difficult for me to get really excited about. I mean, I love the true meaning of the holiday, but sadly, that's been lost in the shopping frenzy that starts earlier every year. So, for many years, Christmas has been a day off after 6-8 weeks of working 7 12hr days. Its a hard habit to break.

It does surprise me, however, that the unspoken rules of Christmas are still broken, even at our age. You know the ones: No breaking up after the 15th of Dec., don't expect jewelry if you've been dating less than 3 months, and don't expect him to come to Christmas dinner if he's never met your family. Now, if you do decide that you want a significant other for the holidays, the latest you can reasonably begin a relationship is Oct. But you still won't get jewelry. Most likely, a tea pot is the most you can hope for.

I've stopped expecting Christmas or Hanukkah presents a long time ago. First of all, there's nothing my family can give me that I don't have--spending the day with them, surrounded by love and guaranteed silliness is the best present I could ever ask for. If I happen to be dating someone around the holidays, I've stopped hoping for the surprise gift that will take my breath away. I consider myself lucky if I get a card. And, honestly, if my someone special takes the time to find me a card in the middle of the throngs of people grabbing whatever Hallmark they can get their hands on, it means much more to me than some half-thought gift (like a Christmas sweater...EEEEWWWWW!!!!!). Unless, of course, he has the extreme intelligence and insight to buy me a sparkly piece of jewelry...then I'm devoted to him until at least Valentines Day!!

Most of all, enjoy the holidays with those you love most and make memories that will last you for many years to follow!

May your dreams be filled with sugar plums and the sound of that wonderful 'HoHoHo!!"

Love to all!