senses. christmas.
See.
The tree sparkles with lights as the sun begins to come up. Everyone wears their Christmas Eve pajamas (a tradition I started last year - if you are at our house Christmas Eve, you get new pjs). Presents wrapped in green, red, blue. Bows and gift tags inviting us all to take a peek. The annoyed look on my brother's face as he walks into the living room "what time is it?" and the laughter on his face as he opens his Mr. T in your pocket. Seeing my mother act out lightning while we play cranium (it doesn't get any better than that). Tired content faces ready for bed.
Hear.
Christmas music, Millie's sighs, my brother's sarcasm, my mother's laughter, the table being set, the timer dings, packages are opened!, thank you's, exclaims of surprise, the voices of my in-laws on the phone as they share their happiness about their gifts and their day, my brother's voice "I'm going to go take a nap," Jon saying "I think I am going to open up this chocolate," my mother saying "what else can I do here," my new polaroid camera talks as it hands me my first picture, laughter as we act out tofu and hum these boots are made for walking, the good nights before bed.
Taste.
Shortbread cookies, chocolate, earl grey tea, cinnamon rolls, sausage and cheddar strata, artichoke dip, bread, gouda and Beecher's flagship cheese, smoked salmon rich with flavor, cream cheese, salted almonds.
Feel.
The smooth surface of wrapping paper. Slipping my fingers through the little holes in my new warm mittens that I can wear when I am out in the cold and want to take pictures. Wrapping the soft cashmere scarf around my neck. Trying on a new vest and feeling the warm quilted fabric. Millie's soft fur as she wiggles with excitement as I put her new collar on her.
Smell.
A cinnamon candle, evergreen and eucalyptus, new candles, mango tea, the wool of my new scarf (grateful for the gift of a neti pot from my husband's awesome grandmother, Gram, so I can hopefully add more smells over the next few days).
And know.
Be thankful for the laughter. Hold it in your heart. Remind yourself that you heard it, felt it, lived it. When you feel the stress whisper in your ear and mind, inviting you back to the past, say no. And spend some time back in the moment when you laughed and laughed with those you love. And remember that they laughed too.
senses
Reader Comments (13)
yay for a day full of such sweet sensory overload :)
i'm glad you had a great day
happy holidays and best wishes
oh lovely lovely!
And that neti pot-- how does it work?
~bluepoppy
"...inviting you to the past. Say no." Thank you for that reminder...I needed it. Sounds like you had a lovely weekend. xoxo
This is the second time I've heard of strata for Christmas. Just saw The Family Stone and strata plays a big role. (=
Sounds like you had a bright wonderful holiday. And I love what you say about laughter. I think it was comedian Victor Borges that wrote, "The shortest distance between two people is laughter."
Liz, I am really enjoying your posts with the senses. This one with "know" as the 6th sense ... wonderful, evocative - you make your Christmas so real -- it's as if you are inviting your blog-readers into your home. (and I know some of your blog readers actually were there, lol)
Love your writing style. It gets better every time you post. Thanks for sharing your Christmas experiences, thoughts, feelings and senses!
Maureen
just thought I'd tell you that mysterious comment from "Tim" ... he's my husband and I was accidentally "signed in" as him when I wrote my comment originally. Couldn't figure out any other way to delete it ... lol
now that's the way to experience christmas. with all the senses.
happy holidays to you!
lovely post.
I may have to borrow your tradition of new pajamas for everybody - I love it. And cozy pajamas are always a good thing. What a lovely way to remember Christmas, with all the five senses. I'm glad it was such a good day for you.
Thanks to all of you for your kind words...
bluepoppy - the neti pot. You put a saline solution in it and wash it from one nostril to the other. I haven't been brave enough to try it yet :) because it just seems so odd. But I have heard it works so well to ward off colds and sinus infections. I report more as we try it.
ravengrrl - no worries about the post!
Sam - the secret to the pj's is to hand your husband a catalog with lots of options circled for you. Then tell him to pick one so you are also surprised...that way you don't have to buy your own!
I am one of those who also appreciate the simple things in life.....the sentimental side of things. My Christmas tree is the one my family had when I was a very little girl, it is sparse and has seen better days and is the most beautiful tree I have ever seen. The decorations dont match and have been gathered through the years telling the story of our lives together. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds amazing- so cozy and comforting. What a great way to spend the holiday.