STARTING 4/8/17: Six Word Saturday is now being hosted by the lovely Debbie at Travel With Intent.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Christmas Pick-Me-Up

A special welcome to those visiting as part of the Christmas in Bloggyland Tour. Hope you're staying warm on your travels.

I've been trying to think of something Christmas-y to share today. I've had a tough time finding my holiday spirit this year so maybe I could take advantage of my new visitors to pose a question:

When you've got the Christmas blues, what do you do to turn it around?

Is there a song or a movie? A memory or a snack? Maybe it's church or family.

For me, there are a few choice decorations at home that always help me find my Christmas joy. One is an ornament from my grandfather. Another is my grandmother's nativity. They both passed away many years ago but these two things bring back a lot of memories from Christmases long ago.

Then, there's Charlie Brown. Every Christmas eve, we make hot cocoa and I watch his Christmas special (I have it on dvd). It involves a great deal of fun but also a great bit of quiet and reflection. And the music makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

So what does it for you? When you're feeling glum and all the Christmas craziness gets you down, how do you find your holiday happiness again?

I hope everyone stopping in today has a fabulous holiday season, wherever you are and whatever you do. Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to reading your suggestions!

29 comments:

Shelley said...

Stopping by from the log cabin on the bloggy xmas tour! What great mementos you have from your grandparents! I counter the holiday blues by getting outside in nature - snow shoeing, photography - the silent winter activities that help me feel at peace and reflect. Merry Christmas to you!

angi_b72 said...

great memories!

Call Me Cate said...

Shellmo - I grew up in the north and I really miss snow. Those are great ways to enjoy Christmas. Thanks for stopping by on the tour!

Angi - Thanks! And is it Angie? I always feel like I'm leaving an "e" off.

Annelie said...

Thanks for stopping by!
I always watch Love Actually around Christmas, usually a couple of times! It always gets me in the Christmas mood & erases any Christmas blues.
I grew up in Scandinavia & I also really miss snow on Christmas!

Happy Holidays!

Call Me Cate said...

A - Love Actually is the best movie ever. I think I'm going to try to get it for next weekend. I really wanted to send a copy to everyone in my family for Christmas but then I remembered the porn scenes and my family is WAY too uptight for that. Bummer, they're totally missing out. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Maddness of Me said...

Usually I watch It's A Wonderful Life, it always makes me feel in the Christmas mood.

However, this year I'm thinking it might be strange? If you get my drift.

I will still watch it though. I'll let you know how it goes.

petra michelle; Whose role is it anyway? said...

A warm and heartfelt post! Fortunately, I haven't gotten the blues around the Holidays yet, but whenever I do get the blues, I put on a great film, my passion (as I'm a screenwriter),or talk to a dear friend, make something for myeself! I hope you're not feeling the blues but are experiencing peace and happiness! A blessed and merry Christmas to you and your loved ones! Petra :))

MuseSwings said...

Several movies are essential at our house for Christmas - those always put me in the Christmas spirit - along with decorating the tree. We've collected new ornaments every year and each one is special - it's fun to open up the ornament box and enjoy putting each on the tree. Thank you for joining the tour today!

Call Me Cate said...

Kimberly - I am one of those odd ducks who has never seen It's a Wonderful Life. I'm thinking I need to remedy that this year.

Petra - So glad to hear you're not dealing with the blues. I've been struggling this year but I find myself inching back towards cheer.

MuseSwings - We have some fabulous ornaments but we also have two cats. Two very destructive evil cats. (Wait, was that redundant?) Thank you so much for organizing the tour. I've had fun hosting and posting throughout the day.

Tara Bennett said...

To feel Christmas joy, I like to watch Love Actually or Grinch (the original). I also love just turning off all the lights, only having the Christmas tree lit, and listening to my favorite Christmas playlist with my hubs and baby, or even by myself. Oh and Prozac. ;o)

Anonymous said...

I was pretty bah humbug until I got some gifts under the tree. Knowing that the next few years are going to be so fun with little Z has made me excited for Christmas.

Like A, Love Actually is a great Christmas movie, it's becoming a tradition. Oh, and probably at least one viewing of "you'll shoot your eye out".

Call Me Cate said...

Tara - Grinch and prozac, you speak my language. Has Grinch been on yet this year? I haven't seen it advertised. Hmm, I may need to go on a search. It's been several years since I saw it.

SisterFriend - that's because little Z is the cutest baby in the whole wide world. And I've never seen A Christmas Story either. Another one for my list.

Elizabeth said...

Christmas greetings from New York.

Patty said...

To be honest I am not a Christmas person at all. My daughter drags around and encourages me to decorate for her son, but my heart hasn't been in it for years. That is one reason why I signed up for the bloggy tour, I thought maybe I could get a bit excited. I think it is contagious and if one person gets excited others seem to follow along. ..At lest I hope so..
Here is to hoping the mood finds us both

Happiness on Christmas and Peace on Earth

Michelle said...

All I have to do is turn on some Christmas music and make hot chocolate. I could do this in June and be merry!

Margaret Ann said...

I enjoy darawing...oftentimes that helps be through rough patches...Wishing you peace...Merry Christmas from Arizona.

Call Me Cate said...

Elizabeth - thanks for stopping by. I want to hit the streets in NY after seeing your photos.

Patty - I hope you're feeling a little more Christmas cheer after the tour today.

Michelle - hot chocolate is awesome year-round but I always associate it with Christmas eve.

Margaret Ann - I wish I had the ability to draw. It's not a talent I possess but that sounds like a lot of fun.

Thanks to everyone that stopped by!

Anonymous said...

I'm still trying to find my spirit as well!

Maybe a cup of cocoa will bring it on?

Call Me Cate said...

Yaya - If I had today to do over, knowing what I know now, I would've had Love Actually playing on a constant loop on the tv and mugs of cocoa to hand out at the door for you all.

Bonnie (BornInaZoo) said...

When I've got the Christmas blues, I rely on the young kids I am blessed to have in my life.

I wasn't putting up a tree this year until my two favorite 5 & 7 year olds said, "Auntie Bon ... you cannot go without a tree this year ... we will help you cut it down."

Have a Bloggy Christmas!

Jane In The Jungle said...

We bake and decorate cookies amid lots of lights and music!! I am married to Mr. Christmas so around our house, it's pretty easy to stay in the mood until of course he's at work and the 4 kids are fighting...all...day...long! that's when I bake, LOL!! Great Bloggyland Tour question!

Unknown said...

I'm sorry, but Celine Dion is a staple of my Christmas music. Bug off...I know that's horrible. But it gives me a "happy happy". And since I'm all into this "love me" thing I'd have to say that...yeah, I'm too drunk to come up with anything that makes much sense. The wine has gone to my head. Christmas is what you make it I suppose...I am going to have the best one EVER! Although I do sometimes slip, I remember that I am blessed to be alive, and to have what I do...that usually keeps the "woe is me's" at bay!

Call Me Cate said...

Bonnie - I think that's part of why it's hard for me to get in the spirit. Christmas is so much about kids. And with no kids (or even kids nearby), I miss out on a lot of that excitement. Maybe I can rent someone's kids for a couple of hours.

JANE - How awesome to have Mr. Christmas to keep your spirits up! Hmm, maybe I can rent YOUR kids and give you a break from the fighting!

Andrea - I've got Celine's Christmas album too and a few of her songs are in rotation on my playlist. I love your attitude though. A lot of things are what we make of them - and I'm trying hard to get in the spirit and make it the best it can be. Maybe the wine also helps?

The Tildy Spot said...

Cate, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS comes on again tonight! 8:00 on ABC. Don't miss it this time!!!! :)

Call Me Cate said...

Has anyone ever told you that you are made of awesome? Because you totally are. Thanks for the heads up!!!

Aimee said...

It's a Wonderful life usually does it for me. Also, taking my kids to the little local shop to paint their own Christmas ornaments. They are all over our tree and its fun to look at the old and make some new.

Call Me Cate said...

Aimee - One year I painted ornaments with my cat. It didn't work out so well. She was very sparkly when I finished though.

So survey says I need to watch some movies. I'll see what I can find tomorrow to dvr.

ChaChaneen said...

Greetings, came by for Muse Swings Christmas tour today as I was delayed on Monday due to computer problems. Better late than never as the saying goes!

Like the others before, I agree that your memories are beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

Well I'm off to finish the tour! Have a Merry Christmas!

Call Me Cate said...

Janeen - so glad you could stop by! Sorry about the computer problems earlier this week.