How much Christmas is just for me?

[primsong]

I mused aloud to my family as to whether we ought to get a real tree this year or whether we should pull out the fake one we have, as I love real ones but they are a bit of a pain to fetch home, trim and then water every day. 
Their response? *shrug*
"Don't you have an opinion about Christmas trees? Any preference at all?"
No, they didn't.  None of them cared.  I already knew none of them seemed too interested in decorating the tree, I usually had to bribe / wheedle help, but to find they didn't care if we had one?  I was a bit surprised and even in denial about it.

This afternoon I asked a few questions of 'they guys'... they don't care about gingerbread or want it, they don't care about popcorn balls or have any interest in decorating.  My hubby still likes twinkle lights at least, but apparently more because the neighbors see them than for us. Still need to interview the daughter to see if I have anyone who will share Christmas with me in my own house, she's been generous in allowing me to steer her into threading popcorn as we watch a holiday show in the past, for instance, but now I wonder if she even likes it.  Or are they all just humouring me?

I'm a bit taken aback at the moment, will need to process this.  How much of my Christmas activity is just, it seems, for me only rather than (as I imagined) shared positive times -  And if so, how much of it will I still pursue?  I'll have to ponder.

Comments

[senmut]

Your young ones may be in that apathy track that strikes eventually, but in time? Those memories matter.

[primsong]

I think you may have a very good point - perhaps it is merely a 'speed bump' in life instead of a wall... I'm thinking I'll likely just pare back on extras and keep the 'main things' that define the holiday for our household this round. Moms - guardians of memories!

[mrs_tribble]

Until I arrived in his life four years ago, Dom despised Christmas. Now he's learned to enjoy the simple pleasures of sharing a festive meal, swapping gifts and just being together.

We're not big on decorations, but we have a small fake tree which we top with the cardboard TARDIS he made for me one birthday - so our Christmas is very Whovian :D

[primsong]

My husband's family has (to me) a very dry and over-scheduled Christmas with the family quietly and dutifully following the instructions of the matriarch. (i.e. "No more cookies, dinner is in 45 minutes. Everyone sit down in the living room! It's time to open cards. Be quiet, we can't hear your grandfather reading the cards. No, no movies. This is Christmas.")

I had hoped there had been enough 'life' injected into our family's holiday to overcome his negative association of it as a time for men to be passive and endure the activities of the women, but perhaps I haven't after all...

Well, it'll all work out one way or another. My daughter was happy when I brought out the Christmas coffee mugs last night and talked about wanting to string popcorn, so I shan't be 'alone'. I would love a TARDIS in our decor, as would she! :-D