It's this tangible thing that you can point to and say, 'I love you this many dollars worth.'

I've been putting off writing my Christmas blog this season. I wasn't really sure why, but now I'm happy that I did. Instead of just anticipating what will happen, I have the chance to tell you what did happen, and why it is that Christmas, like so many other things in my life, makes me so very happy. 

If I had written this blog a few weeks ago, I would have told you that Christmas at the Hime household is very formulaic - but in a good way. Christmas Eve is usually spent cooking for the next day or for that night. Usually a Christmas movie or some sort of Christmas programming is supplying the background for our day. We usually start actually getting dinner ready by 5:30. Eating by 6:30. Starting dominoes by 7:30 and watching 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' by 8:30 or 9 at night. Christmas Day is the standard get up early, open gifts, relax and head to wherever we are having our Christmas gathering. It really is a simple tradition, but one that has lasted for over 30 years - according to my father. And the truth is that we did hold true to the tradition this year. But things were still different.

First of all, it was exceedingly strange to not be home at least a week before Christmas. Even working on December 23 was strange. But that was actually kind of refreshing. It was nice to be home and not have to hold in just how excited I am to give gifts to my parents and Tucker. Only having to wait for a day was nice. 

The second kind of different aspect about Christmas this year was that my mother had put all of our presents downstairs before Christmas Eve. This might not be completely different for everyone else, but it was a change for me. Coupled with that - and kind of in direct contradiction - was the fact that I legitimately had no idea what to expect for Christmas this year.

It was also the first year where we had to set a wake up time for Tucker - not a "don't wake us up before X:XX" but a "you should probably be up by X:XX." We set this time as 9:30 and mom and I had every intention of working out, ut we canceled at the last minute and slept for another half an hour. Then we were both up by 8:50, arranged the presents by the tree and then were stuck with what to do until Tucker would be up by 9:30. So we played a quick game of Scrabble, where I managed to work in "jingle," "Santa" and "DPU." Yes, I realize that Santa is a proper noun and that DPU isn't a word, but mom let it slide as she created the word "IDFA" to play wolf. It was ridiculously fun and a great way to kill a half an hour. 

And finally, this is the first year that I was absolutely in love with the gifts I gave to my family. I bought their gifts in early November and had to wait for a month and a half without saying anything - which killed me. BUT! It was definitely worth the wait. I think they really liked the gift. I ordered personalized license plate frames. My parents' said "Class of 19XX" on the top and "DePauw University" on the bottom. Tucker's said "Class of 2012" and "Greensburg Pirates" on the bottom.  

In case you were wondering - I loved all of the gifts my parents got me. Dorkily, this is my favorite of them all. Tomorrow is the real day of Christmas presenting - shopping with Mom. It may seem selfish (maybe?) but it's the day - not the purchases - that really stands out. 
After present opening we headed to watch "Up in the Air" which was/is getting great reviews. I really enjoyed it, but I have to say that I wished it had a happier ending. It was a good day. It was a mellow day, really. 

I am realizing now, sevenish paragraphs into this blog, that I haven't really pinpointed what it is about today, this season, that makes me so happy. But it's simple. It's family, right? I mean it really is that clear cut and apparent to me that the whole point of the season - aside from the birth of our Lord and Savior - is to really appreciate the people who are in your life. All of them. I know I'm only writing about the fearless foursome, but my friends hold such an amazing place in this season of love as well. I've been given such thoughtful gifts and hopefully given a few in return. It's an abundance of love and appreciation all around and I am so thankful for it all. 

And yes, now eightish paragraphs in, maybe I haven't totally hit it on the head. I feel very scatterbrained about this post because I don't have a nice bow to tie it all up in to cover up the really crappy wrapping job that I did. Regardless, hopefully you'll appreciate the gift underneath, and if not the gift, the thought. 

"Christmas Day will always be just as long as we have we. Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart to heart and hand in hand."