The best thing about the holidays for me is getting together with my kids. I do not get into a lot of shopping, decorating, sending out holiday cards, knitting, baking or making eggnogs. My husband sometimes will make the eggnog. I try not to drink more than one serving because it is a bit fattening but very tasty. I did have a pint of eggnog ice cream in the freezer and now somehow it is gone.
I appreciate all the yummy things Trader Joes has on sale this time of year like Honey Walnut Fig Cream Cheese. Another great invention of theirs is Slicing Brie which is a little log of brie that you can slice for crackers. Great for entertaining or snacking. Guaranteed to add several more inches and pounds.
I do contact friends and family at least by email or Facebook to wish them happy which ever holiday they are celebrating. I give money to the Santa ringing the bell in front of the Salvation Army kettle. I like to buy a toy for Toys for Tots.
There is something else I like about the holidays. It is listening to the Christmas music on the radio. At least at the beginning of the season. They start playing it right after Thanksgiving. By the time Christmas rolls around I have had enough.
Many of the songs or carols take me back to when I was in Catholic school. They still raise my spirits when I first hear them. Like Come All Ye Faithful, The First Noel, Little Town of Bethlehem, Joy to the World, Silent Night and Angels We Have Heard on High. We used to sing some of them in Latin. Angels We Have Heard on High has the phrase ” Gloria, in excelsis Deo” ( Glory to God in the Highest) and O Come all Ye Faithful in Latin is Adeste Fideles and here in part:
Adeste Fideles laeti triumphantes,
Venite, venite in Bethlehem.
Natum videte, Regem Angelorum;
Refrain:
Venite adoremus,
venite adoremus,
venite adoremus
Dominum!
I have a memory of singing that carol in a choir with my classmates. I don’t think we sounded like this via You Tube by Julio Fernanadez:
Others I like are Hark the Herald Angels Sing, We Three Kings of Orient Are, and Deck the Halls. There are others that I have learned later in life The Holly and the Ivy and O Come Emmanuel. I think O Come Emmanuel is beautiful. I first heard The Holly and the Ivy in an old British film of the same title.
Of course we all sang Jingle Bells, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.
Do you have any favorite holiday songs?
Notes Tied On The Sagebrush 
I really like your attitude, Deborah; I think some people allow themselves to be whipped into a frenzy at this time of year and forget what truly matters. I am sure your Christmas will be as lovely as it sounds! I’m not big on hymns; I know some Polish ones but can’t sing anyway. Enjoy the festivities!
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Thanks, Anna. I think I may have burned out from the frenzy a while ago. Just being with loved ones is good for me. I hope you have a lovely Christmas. ❤
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I have tried to simplify the holidays over the years. Spending time with just our kids and now my daughter-in-law’s mom and brother is the perfect day for me.
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Sounds very nice. I wish you and your family and extended family Happy Holidays!
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Happy Holidays to you and yours!
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The holiday songs take me back to my time in Catholic school too. The walnut fig cream cheese sounds good.
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I know that walnut fig cream cheese and other goodies for the holidays are very good. 🙂
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I’m with you about shopping and have managed to avoid the frenzy so far. I, too, love the music, more every year. “O’Come, O’come Emanuel,” is one of my favorites. Singing in our little church choir is a natural high for me, even though it’s harder to hit the high notes than it used to be. I also love “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and the old movies like “It’s a Wonderful Life.” These things, and being with family, mean more and more to me as the years go by. Thanks for reinforcing these favorite things.
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Thanks JoAnne. ❤ I think singing in the little choir must be lovely. I definitely have a problem with high notes when I am in my car singing along. We have watched It's A Wonderful Life so many times over the years. I think Frank Kapra films are great. Wishing you a Merry Little Christmas. 🙂
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