Why Our Family Isn’t Celebrating Christmas

Yup. It’s true. Right now, people all over are decorating, hustling and bustling. They’re making lists and checking them twice. They’re party hopping, putting up lights and taking Santa pictures. Our family is not among them.

It always feels like the holidays happen too fast. I love Halloween because it marks the start of Fall for me since “cooler weather” doesn’t always do the trick. But once that comes and goes, it’s a mad dash from Thanksgiving to Christmas and then the New Year.

It always feel like an abrupt let down when all is said and done. A bit like a hangover that leaves us wondering what just happened. So this year, we’re not doing it. Our family isn’t making a mad dash. We’re not attending a bunch of parties. In fact, right now, we are not even celebrating Christmas. And it feels amazing. Easy, even. 

Since I’ve strung you along this far, it’s probably a good time for me to mention that our family will celebrate Christmas. But right now, we’re settling into the season. We are transitioning. Preparing. Waiting. And come to think of it, we’re celebrating quietly. We’re even celebrating a season. Our family is celebrating Advent.

If it were up to me, our family would decorate and put up a tree Christmas Eve. We would celebrate with hot cocoa and Christmas carols. However, that kind of delay might literally kill my husband.

And last year, when I waited until the last minute to buy a tree, it was so hard to find anyone actually selling them! So, we’ll probably end up buying a tree and doing a little decorating much sooner than I’d like.

But I have always loved keeping my tree and decorations up past Christmas Day. And as our family begins our traditions, I intend on us celebrating beyond Christmas Day too.

One of my favorite holiday songs is Adam Sandler’s Hanukkah song. It’s a must hear on my holiday season playlist and an undeniable classic, in my opinion. And today, I was thinking about this song and how Jewish people celebrate for “eight crazy nights.” It sounds like such a fun idea.

Our family is taking a hint from our Jewish friends. We will be celebrating the 12 days of Christmas.

But right now? 

Right now are in a transitional window. We are decompressing. Thanksgiving has come and gone. Fall decorations are still waiting to be put away. I’m participating in two gift exchanges but have yet to buy presents. (Sorry, ladies. I promise I’ll meet the deadline!) Christmas cards have not been ordered, written or sent. And Christmas décor? Nativity scenes and mistletoe? A tree? Nope. Not in our home.

Right now, we have one decoration up. It’s our Advent wreath.

So this year, I’ll continue postponing the celebration as best I can. In the mean time, sure, we might watch a Christmas movie or listen to Christmas music in the car. I’ll probably bake peppermint cookies and get a little shopping done online. But we’re not going to stress over it. We’re going to enjoy it. We’re going to keep things small and easy. We’re going to prepare our hearts and our home.

And when the big day finally comes, we will celebrate and wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Just don’t look at me funny if you hear us say it in January!