I messed up a tradition this Christmas Eve. It's been a long month! My father-in-law had knee surgery at the start of the month and just got out of the rehab center this afternoon. So it was a month spent going back and forth to visit him every day (but 2) and also spending time at his house every day to take care of his cat (a cat allergy exempted me from that).
Now that I've gotten one excuse on the table, I can admit my failure. I finished wrapping presents and arranged them under the tree around 11:30. Then I looked up and saw the stockings over the fireplace. The STOCKINGS! Argh! Every year we put oranges, walnuts, Kisses, and candy canes in the stockings...along with some practical items. This year I forgot to buy those things. I usually pick them up at the grocery store after work on Xmas Eve--I feel like Bob Cratchit getting the "special pippens" (in the 1938 version of "A Christmas Carol"--and only that version). This year the office was closed, so no stop on the way home from work. Plus, I've got a bug, probably just a cold. Going to the store never crossed my mind.
Oh well, at least we had our traditional Chinese takeout for dinner. Maybe the kids won't mind finding apples, Moose Munch taffy, and 1 candy cane each (leftover from last year I think--I found them in a drawer) in their stockings. I'm sure they won't. As much as we love our traditions, they know it's not what tomorrow is all about--they've heard Linus' explanation, "That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown." =)
I wish you the peace and love of the season, my friends!
Merry Christmas! I've always believed in it's the thoughts that matter so I hope your kids wouldn't mind whatever's in the stocking if it's filled with love! Nurse that bug well!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas! :)
ReplyDeleteOooh Moose Munch taffy sounds good! Happyy christmas to your whole family, ric!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Ric! I'm sure your kids won't mind... I remember Santa giving me the wrong present every year and I always still loved his presents!
ReplyDeleteCandy canes... from LAST YEAR?! I won't be surprised if you write a post telling us how your kids got a stomachache! =P
ReplyDeleteBut they won't mind it, Linus! ;) I'm sure you've taught them well the true spirit of the day!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and your family! Sorry to hear that you are feeling under the weather. As far as the Christmas stockings go, I am sure it will be a story you laugh about in a year or two. You can just say you are having "minimalist stockings" this year. :-)
ReplyDeleteLOL! I hope your kids won't mind and hope they don't read your blog! :D
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Hi Rick! Merry merry Christmas to you and your lovely family!!! Im sure the kids wont mind the 'leftover' stocking stuffers this year...as long as you have awesome presents for them LOL :P
ReplyDeleteps. get well soon! rest well, its the holidays after all! :)
Aw... :) That year old candy cane is still good I hope?
ReplyDelete(We've been watching it too!)
Happy Holidays...
hey! merry christmas and i hope you get well soon.
ReplyDeleteuh...I miss santa claus
ReplyDeletemerry christmas...!!
I'm sure your kids won't notice that they're from last year too ^_^
ReplyDeleteMerry [belated] Christmas. :) Hope you enjoyed yourself and stuffed yourself with turkey ^_^
I'm looking out for my comments here, I'm sure I did! where did it go?
ReplyDeletenever mind... :)
I'm sure your kids still enjoy whatever you have stuck in that stockings, what's more important is the love and thoughtfulness that prompted you to do such a wonderful act.
May you enjoyed your Christmas with your family :)
i'm sure they'll forgive you :)
ReplyDeleteplus the chinese take out reminds me of a christmas story which always makes me smile.
merry belated christmas rick!!!
Haha I doubt your kids will notice either - I never paid attention to anything other than the big wrapped boxes under my tree when I was little! Stocking stuffers were minor goodies ;)
ReplyDeleteI read your article on beauty that you sent me - very well written! Couldn't agree more with your words.
merry christmas! i'm sure your kids don't mind, and hey chinese food for take out that would be a treat at my parents place!
ReplyDeleteI personally wouldn't mind, having you as their Dad is a very cool present in itself :) I hope you had a lovely Christmas, Rick! Only a few days left before 2011, whew! :D
ReplyDeleteJust read this now...suddenly i feel as if i'm so insensitive pestering you with questions on how you kept your holiday traditions...sorry :( but i'm sure you still had fun :D
ReplyDeleteHeya Rick! Dropped by to say a quick HI and to let you know that I have changed the URL of my blog. I didn't know it could be time-consuming to let everyone know about the change. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're enjoying the holidays.
→ R.