Thoughts About This Christmas Season

I love the Christmas season! I love the music, the decorations, the food, everything! Well ALMOST everything. This year I've notice some things that makes me long for times past.
Like I've noticed that the in thing to do is to have an ugly Christmas sweater theme party. Sounds great except many of those shirts and/or sweaters are in my closet AND I still wear them. Makes me feel like one of those old ladies who still wear panty hose.
Also, around here, the gift giving has lost it's fun. I went out shopping, bought several gifts for the sons and left them in the dining room, in the bags from the stores that I bought them from. The next day the youngest son came to me with an interesting question. Turns out that during the night, he took a peek or two in the bags to see what I bought. He noticed I bought 4 nintendo D3S but only two games. His concern was did I buy one of those games for him because he thought that would be horrible if I gave him a gaming system but no game to play.
This from a soon to be 22 year old.
Yes you read that right I bought a child's gaming system for my adult sons. Turns out that many of their favorite childhood games are available for this handheld system. They all wanted the Pokemon game with the thought that they'll be spending Christmas Day playing against each other.
BUT back to my original thought, as I was wrapping the gifts this morning, hubby made the comment about it seemed like a waste to wrap the presents since they all know what they are getting.
I'm beginning to think the same thing too.
Though growing up, my Santa never wrapped our gifts. Instead he left them in six piles, one for each of us kids. As we grew I asked my mom about this. She told me she rather spend the money on gifts instead of wrapping paper. True confession, as children, we all knew where 'santa' kept our presents and many times we would sneak the key to the locked room and take a peek.
Guess I can't get mad at my youngest for looking in the bags, he got it honestly from me.
As I am typing this I am watching White Christmas. I don't remember the colors being so bright and clear. Oh and how small Vera-Ellen's waist is! To have ever been that small.....But one thing is for sure, I love the old Christmas movies but my all time favorite is 'The Christmas Story'. Too bad it only comes on one day a year, Christmas Eve evening into Christmas Day. But at least it's on for 24 hours. Though I do have it on DVD. Maybe I'll get it out and watch it later.

Thought I would take some pictures of my decorations at night for you to enjoy.

 As for the bows, notice that they are in the right place now. Like my sweaters, I like the old fashion look.  Oh and that silly elf refuses to stay lit. Made him light up for the pictures and on cue, he went out!

 I love the decor for my old school desk (just like the one you had in your pictures Rose). The sled was the oldest when he was a child, the skates from a used sports store, and of course some lights. The poinsett was a gift years ago from my father in law. He didn't notice that it was fake ;o)

I have most of my shopping done for this year, Christmas cards are sent. All I have left to do is some baking and candy making. Yum!