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December 21, 2007
Traditions
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| Image: Since it came out my family has watched the "Polar
Express" every Christmas Eve. Polar Express is a great movie and captures that Christmas magic that can be found in kids who still believe. My son, who just turned seven, is still in that camp. I suspect this will be the last year. With a neighborhood full of kids a year or two older than him, and a school full of jaded rug-rats, the Santa days are numbered. In previous years I've jingled bells outside his window in the early mornings, left sleigh bells on the lawn, and even painted golden reindeer hoof-prints in our backyard. I've displayed the NORAD Santa tracking web site on our TV, real-time, so we could follow Santa's progress. All this was done to nudge the talk of Santa Claus, Christmas, and a belief in a broader more magical world closer to reality. Last year I found a picture of Santa Claus handing out candy canes on the internet. He had the same brand of candy canes that we had in our house. So I took a picture of our Christmas tree and photo-shopped the Santa image into our living room. Then I placed our candy canes on the table where Santa had been standing in our living room. On Christmas morning this was photographic proof that Santa had stopped by the house. Very convincing. Since this is probably the last year for my son, I've got to do something special. Perhaps leave a reindeer in his room? I haven't figured out what it is yet. But I'm thinking on it ...... We also watch "It's A Wonderful Life" every year. By the way, B-Ray, your Jimmy Stewart impersonation from those many years ago has still not been forgiven by my better half. But I will always cherish it with fond memories. Another tradition I adhere to is that every Christmas I make a gift for my son. Usually I make him medieval weaponry. It's all fabricated from wood and non-functional (blunt). There has been a spear, axe, sword, and shield. Oddly enough, I've seen him turn all of those things except the shield into a gun. This year I made a crossbow for him (again non-functional). I can't wait for him to open it. I think next year I'll diverge from the weapons and make him a train set with the tiny trees and houses. But this has been a fun tradition for both of us. He highly values these gifts. Now I have to start making something for my daughter as well. I might need a couple of elves around here. Anyway, I'm leaving town today. I won't be posting again for a while. At least until after Christmas, maybe longer. I hope all you have a wonderful Christmas, if you celebrate it. If you don't I hope you have an enjoyable holiday season. Whatever traditions you have, hold onto them, and even make a few new ones. They mark the years and define our lives for the better. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, see you later. Did Coca-Cola invent Santa Claus. Snopes says nopes. For a brief history on the evolution of St. Nick see this link. |
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CI Challenge: Can you guess what it is? Winner: Merry Christmas. |
Posted by Lon at December 21, 2007 08:06 AM
Comments
CI Challenge is a picture that has a light blue fading to dark blue background with white snowflakes and ornaments exclaiming "Merry Christmas Everybody!" =D
I am one of the Christmas Jaded unfortunately.... I don't think I ever believed in Santa. I just have to do my best to survive Christmas every year and keep everyone from hating me too much for being a hah bumhug. bah humbug. dylexia.
Posted by: TrevHastings at December 21, 2007 08:47 AM
Its the christmas card you sent to the "friends".
By the way, carbon credits are the new "coal" for Christmas.
Posted by: Anthony at December 21, 2007 09:19 AM
Lon,
We also watch "It's A Wonderful Life" every year. By the way, B-Ray, your Jimmy Stewart impersonation from those many years ago has still not been forgiven by my better half. But I will always cherish it with fond memories.
My pleasure. Good thing two of the three of us remember it. Either the passage of time, the volume of alcohol ingested that night, or simple bad memory has wiped that episode nearly clean for me.
BTW, were either you or Ms. CI fans of Twin Peaks? I just picked up the two-season series on DVD. I'm thinking something along the lines of the old Buffy Nights, maybe once a month.
Merry Christmas, CI family.
Posted by: Brian Ray at December 21, 2007 10:29 AM
Merry Christmas!
That is the ending credit to the movie polar express!
Posted by: mark at December 21, 2007 11:15 AM
B-Ray,
I can't recall the exact scene, but Stewart was in the middle of a life changing and emotional monologue, and during a pause you inserted (using an uncannily accurate Jimmy Stewart voice...) "And then I woke up in a puddle of my own sick."
I can't listen to Jimmy Stewart without thinking about it.
Lon
Posted by: Lon at December 21, 2007 01:02 PM
Wow, that sound's like something I'd say.
Posted by: TrevHastings at December 21, 2007 01:07 PM
Merry Christmas Lon. You have hit the nail on the head once again. My daughter is 1 yr older than your son and last year she was heckled during show and tell at school after Christmas for sharing what she thought was one of Santa's Sleigh bells (ala Polar Express). Just this morning I heard her whisper to her little bro that it is actually parents that fill the Christmas stockings. Enjoy the holidays.
Posted by: Sean at December 21, 2007 02:29 PM
Mark B.,
I didn't see that image at the end of Polar Express. I found it on an Irish blog, and simpley wanted to say Merry Christmas. If you did see it as an end credit somewhere let me know and I'll crown you challenge winner.
Lon
Posted by: Lon at December 31, 2007 07:33 AM