We have just finished un-decorating the tree, un-decorating the house, packed the boxes, and moved the tree to the terrace (where he will be happier as it is colder than the house) awaiting his pickup from the university students, so it is good time to reflect on how fun this silly season was, rather then be sad.
City Lights
We normally celebrate Thanksgiving the Saturday after the real Thursday date, alternating houses between 3 families. This year the host convened the celebration for the Saturday before (November 22nd) which meant that we got a full week extra to start the silly season! We took full advantage and saw our first batch of city christmas lights on our way from our Thanksgiving feast (by serendipitous coincidence Madrid also decided to light them earlier than normal this year as well):
We then also made a round of seeing lights on Christmas night, taking advantage of daughter number 2’s car that has a skylight:
Tree
We hoped to get a much earlier start on the tree this year as well, but we had to coordinate daughter number 2’s studying and my work, so the earliest common denominator was the afternoon of Thursday November 27th. This time we remembered to bring cash so there would be no financial constraints only housing ones and it was I think the first time we picked a tree in day light. The picking was a bit slim as they were awaiting a new truckload on Friday for the weekend, but we were able to find an agreeable one none the less. This year we opted for a different breed, but I cannot remember the name:
The actual decorating of the tree I kinda think had to wait a few more days, but at this point can’t remember. I did document the transportation of the decorations which did happen the same day
I kinda remember that I put the lights on the tree and the actual decoration of the house and tree happened later, but in any event, here is a picture of the final product with a spotty dog included that we were able to enjoy until January 11th:
Advent Calendar
I was able to pull of another year with an advent calendar, a remarkable feat with a slacker like me:
Truth be told, I have always hated the stress of the required gifts of Christmas, but have used the Advent Calendar to remove this stress, giving almost a month of little things and then not even worrying or getting any actual gifts for Christmas.
Baking
This year I was laser focused on doing prep work so that I could then prepare cookie boxes for family, neighbor and friends with multiple cookie selection, so for one week I made a different dough every night and froze it allowing me then to do multiple baking sessions pulling together platters and boxes like these:
This years assortment comprised of:
- Peanut Butter Blossoms (unable to source Hershey Kisses, so just used pieces of chocolate)
- Ginger Spice Cookies
- Butter Cookies
- Almond Roca
Movies
This year we were able to enjoy classics and some new ones for us, but still was not able to get the Gremlins in!
- Family Stone
- Home Alone
- Christmas Vacation
- Champagne Problems
- Die Hard
Arcade Challenge
This year I had hopped for more traction on the arcade challenage, but there was not too much. I might need to add more games to the console for next year.
Seafood Tower
This has come into play two years running, and hope for more! It is very exciting opening the oysters and I always count my fingers before and after, but I personally think it just makes for a special christmas or new years:
Closing Thoughts
So, another silly season has come to a close! I can’t think of a better way to brighten up the waning days of the year! Now onto the equinox, every day is getting longer and brighter!
Thanks for reading and feel free to give feedback or comments via email (andrew@jupiterstation.net).