It is pretty obvious that December is a great month: skiing, holidays, rich food and lots of snow. Oh yeah…and presents too. I mean, aren’t we all hoping for a new pair of skis or other ski equipment underneath the Christmas tree (or as a Hanukkuh present?)
Here is a short list of what I’m focused on during this merriest of months. Maybe it will inspire you to skip the shopping and get out on the slopes. Or maybe it will inspire you to put aside the holiday preparations for a couple of hours to watch The Polar Express or Elf with your kids. You can always shop online and decorate after the lifts have closed and the kids are in bed dreaming of sugarplums.
December is a Great Month to….
Ski. Obvious yes, but easy to forget when your “to-do” list is 47 miles long. Put family skiing on the list and make sure you cross it off FIRST.
Spend Time with Friends and Family. Yes, December is busy, but it can be busy with good things. Make time with some friends to share a cup of cider and some cookies. Wrap your head around the idea and then go and actually enjoy your spouse’s office party. You don’t really know these people so just go have fun (just don’t embarrass said spouse). And most importantly, resurrect some activities from your childhood that you loved. Share them with your children and other relatives and pass on your favorite holiday traditions.
Watch Ski Racing. We don’t have many opportunities in North America to watch World Cup Ski Racing. This upcoming weekend, the fastest men in the world are at Beaver Creek, Colorado. Even if you can’t get there to see them live, the races are televised and on the Internet.
Enjoy the Holiday Preparations. I have a hard time with this, as I am the sort of person who always wants to get stuff DONE and this kind o’ stuff isn’t easy to be DONE with. Being the only member of the family with XX chromosomes, I am at a serious disadvantage when it comes time to enlist helpers. Frankly, they are more interested in shooting hoops than decorating a Christmas tree. Oh well. I choose my time and force them into service.
Go Sledding. Don’t have time for skiing, but have some snow on the ground? Call up some other families and spend a couple of hours laughing, playing and crashing together.
Smile, Relax and If All Else Fails, Mix a Holiday Drink. I mean, really, moms and dads, your kids will like this season a lot more if everyone is having fun (so I tell myself). It really doesn’t matter what is under the tree or what tasty morsels you are going to serve for dinner on Christmas Eve. The greatest gift you can give your kids is time, your time. And if it takes a merry beverage to get you to relax, so be it. Wassail was invented for a reason.
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