*Part Three of a
Three-Part Series*
Popcorn and Apples
Animals
need love during the holidays too, and that is why my mother has often taken it
upon herself to make sure the deer and rabbits that live near my parents’ house
are taken care of for Christmas. When I was still living with my parents, my
mom would let me and my siblings help her decorate the trees just outside the
house with popcorn strings and apples. One year we even covered pinecones in
peanut butter, rolled them in birdseed, and hung them for the few birds that
had nowhere to go for Christmas. It was always a pleasant surprise to wake up
Christmas morning and find a few new friends snacking on the items we had
placed on a tree for them.
Ice Skating
What
boy or girl didn’t want ice skates at one point or another for Christmas? Well,
unlike a dog, I never received skates, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying
the sport during the holidays. It’s especially fun to skate outside with brightly
lit trees encircling the rink. Funny thing is, I’m terrible at ice-skating. To
my credit, I’ve at least learned to not fall on my rump as long as there is a
nearby wall. Once again, that never stopped me from loving every second of it. The
simple fact that I have blades on my feet that allow me to slice across a sheet
of ice is exhilarating. I like watching people who actually know how to
ice-skate. It gives me hope that by the time I’m 60, if go at least once a
year, I might be able to acquire a few skills.
Old World Markets
Being
male, shopping is at the bottom of my list of favorite things to do. Especially
Christmas. All the sale signs confuse me and before I know it I’ve bought a
bunch of crap that I instantly regret and suffer intensely from “buyer’s
remorse.” The only enjoyable Christmas shopping experience I’ve had was ten
years ago in Germany, home of the “Christkindlmarkt.” These markets combine the
splendor of Christmas gifts, décor, and treats with the beauty of the winter
weather, all with an old world flair: wooden shop stalls, lanterns, etc.
Imagine browsing over a tiny shop chock full of nutcrackers as thick flakes of
snow slowly drift down to the cobblestone streets. When you’ve had your fill of
ogling nativity scenes and ornaments, you wander over to the bratwurst cart and
warm up with a cup of cocoa and a searing hot frankfurter. The Germans may not
get everything right, but shopping outdoors during Christmas is pure genius.
Dreaming of a White
Christmas
My
younger brother is in Peru right now. He’s sad because it’s summer down there.
I can’t even imagine Christmas without snow. My parents have decided to take a
road trip down to Arizona and New Mexico for Christmas this year. I think they’re
crazy. Christmas without snow is like a peanut butter sandwich without the
peanut butter. Crazy. I suppose some people would think it weird, though, to
have snow on Christmas, like the Peruvians. This year is threatening to offer a
relatively snowless holiday and it’s making me appreciate all the years we’ve
had a blanket of white on Christmas morning. I remember, after all the presents
had been opened and all the eggnog had been drunk, my siblings and I would
spill outside to build snowmen and snow caves and eventually have a snowball
fight that would end with someone taking a snowball to the eye. I really hope
that the weather pulls through this year with Santa’s help and we receive a few
inches of white powder for Christmas.
I
hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my twelve Christmas memories as much as I’ve
enjoyed sharing them. Here’s hoping all your Christmas wishes come true and
that you create a few new happy memories this year. May the peace and love of
the Christmas season surround you and keep you warm while you spend time
outdoors! Merry Christmas!
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