Christmas present vs. Christmas past - Keeping Traditions alive

This year I did not decorate or put up a tree. My logic was that since I would be gone for the whole season, why bother... it made perfect sense at the time.

The thing is, I love that aspect of the Christmas season, pulling out the decorations, putting up lights, decorating the staircases with fat bunches of garland and holly ... must be the kid in me.

When my son and his girlfriend showed up the other night, he wanted to show her what Christmas was like growing up. He was disappointed, I could see it on his face....and I was sorry...I honestly felt a sense of sadness

It's too late now as I will be leaving soon but I realized I need to keep those traditions alive, keep the spirit of Christmas alive for my family and for me...just as my mother did.

Being the age we are, (Good Lord have I lived more than half a century already?) and some of us being empty nesters...are you finding it a struggle to keep Christmas Traditions alive?

It's Christmas already? Wow ....

That's the thing about having kids. Rain or shine, the lights have to be put up. It feels like a hassle sometimes, but once they're up, they sure do look pretty.

I had a child later in life -- and now I know what will happen when she leaves the nest -- a tendency to not continue to do that. Thank you for the "heads up." I would have a tendency not to put them up, and instead settle for some good and favorite Christmas movie(s).

Of course, with a Significant Other, it would be great to put those lights up together, for each others sake. I reckon that that right there is the main impetus to put out them ol' lights -- for another, not for oneself?

Tell me about it. I am finding it so hard to get into the Christmas spirit. I realize that it has to be done for kids and they need to see our traditions, just the way we got to see when we were kids.

I did put up the Chrismtas tree, ornaments, wreath and everything else, but did not feel the excitement within. Kids are so looking forward to the Christmas eve, and Christmas morning. I hope I start getting into the spirit.