Monday 29 December 2008

In-between time

The days between Christmas and New Year are an odd time.  Normal day to day life seems to be on hold as we celebrate the holiday for what seems like a very long time.  For many people this is a time to catch up with family and it is the highlight of the year, I wonder if I am the only one who thinks that Christmas just goes on a bit too long!

I love the winter solstice, the house full of greenery, lighting candles and the feeling that the darkest days are passing as the year turns on towards spring.  I enjoy getting the Christmas tree, cooking seasonal food and spending time cosy indoors with the family. Then by about this time every year, I've had enough and I want to resume my normal routine.  For us though, work/school doesn't start for another week - a week of in-between time.

Perhaps its my introvert nature, I like time on my own to think, to organise my time and to just potter quietly in the house letting my mind wander as I complete the day to day chores. I seem to need some down-time to recharge my batteries. The combination of four adults and a television squeezed into one room (the rest of the house is a bit chilly at this time of year) isn't really conducive to quiet and calm.

I'm not really grumbling, I do enjoy just spending time with my family and after all its just once a year.  In a weeks time, I shall be able to clear away all the trappings of Christmas and return the house to its boring, lived in normality - I'm looking forward to that!

6 comments:

The List Writer said...

Christmas goes on WAY too long for my liking too! We pack away our Christmas things on the day after Boxing Day - first thing in the morning! And then enjoy the rest of the holiday as regular time off together.

And doesn't the house seem wonderfully spacious without the tree and all those cards?

I really enjoy the build up to Christmas but hate to see it linger.

ginny said...

Enjoy your week of relaxing and doing things you usually don't get a chance to do. Even if your routine isn't back to normality you can maybe plan and prepare for it. We are planning what to grow in the veg beds today and when the frost lifts may do a little tidy up outside in the hope that this will warm us up and make the house feel warm and cosy on our return in later.
Wishing you and your family a very happy New Year.
ginny xx

Anonymous said...

I always find that Christmas is too long on the other side. It's built up all too much before it, so by the time it gets here, you're ready to be done. But I know what you mean about the quiet time, relaxing, cleaning up, putting things back in order. That's always the most refreshing. Sadly, I have an unexpected house guest for a week and hope that I'll still be able to make this time relaxing. Hope you and yours have a happy New Year.

Heather L. said...

Agree with you! I got the chidlren back into school today. Poor things! They don't know enough to protest. But, it is good to have some semblance of routine again! I thrive on that.

I was thinking how many more "holidays" you have in the UK over Christmas -- since Christmas and Boxing Day are both holidays and then New YEars Day and, if I remember correctly, the day after New Years are also holidays. I remember the stores being closed, etc. Here everyone was doing business on Boxing Day and we'll be doing it this Friday too. One thing I do like -- the post arrives over here for us and in the UK we'd miss so many days of the post! (I like getting the mail)

BurdockBoy said...

Our holiday season has been strange this year because of all of the snow and storms. It seems odd to use my days off to do things like shovel and chop wood, but oh well.

Hope your holiday season is jolly regardless of its length.

willow said...

Thanks for the comments, its nice to know I'm not the only one who is itching to take the tree down!
Yes, Heather, I think we do have more holidays than you. In England and Wales its Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year but as you will remember, in Scotland January 2nd is a holiday too. I didn't realise that there were fewer holidays in the US until my husband began spending more time there. Last year I couldn't understand why he had meetings on Good Friday, but thats another Bank Holiday for us but not for you. Odd isn't it?