26 October 2017

Three Upcoming Holidays and Why They Make Me Happy


Here I am again with Carole and Kat and Three on Thursday.  I realized the other day that everyone was starting to bitch and moan about the weather and the holidays, so I am going to do my part to counteract that one.  So here are three upcoming holidays and why they make me happy.

1.  Halloween.  I will start by saying that I am not someone who enjoys horror movies, or incredibly scary things - no, basically I'm a wimp that way.  But I do love Halloween.  Why?  Well, I love all of the decorations - pumpkins, black cats, witches, skeletons, you name it.  I also love that [usually] it's a nice chilly time in October when you feel like it *should* be a holiday!  I do enjoy candy as well.  And I love seeing everyone's costumes!  I have a special place in my heart for kiddos who are wearing non-store-bought-non-elaborate costumes, since that is always what I had as a kid.  No way were my parents buying me a Halloween costume, and my mother was not a crafty type, so my costumes were always .... shall we say, "interesting," and I nearly always had to explain what I was actually supposed to be.  As well as the fact that approximately 99.99999999% of the time, I had to wear a coat or jacket over my mysterious ensemble anyway.

2.  Thanksgiving The coziest holiday in the universe.  What is not to like about day that nearly everyone is willing to just enjoy?  The house always smells wonderful with all of the cooking and the baking.  No one objects to laziness on Thanksgiving, whereas on other days, you are supposed to be occupied with useful endeavors (not that I necessarily am, just that it's expected).  People are generally in a good mood on Thanksgiving, at least in my experience.  And I know some people get stressed with all of the cooking and preparations, but that is more because of theirs and others' expectations, not the fault of the holiday itself.  I've always been fortunate to have nice Thanksgivings.  The year my father died, he died the Monday of Thanksgiving week, and so even if it was a sad one, we still were able to all eat a holiday dinner together, even if not at our own house. 

3.  Christmastime.  This one is loaded, I know.  But if celebrated "properly" (aka by my rules and there are many, but they are fun and reasonable if I do say so myself!), Christmastime is amazing.  The lights, the music, the decorations are all so happy.  Then there are Christmas cookies, which I find as much fun to bake as to eat.  I am also a person who loves to wrap presents, so there is that as well.  In spite of the universe's desire to make me miserable at Christmastime, I am always able to enjoy it all, and look forward to it even more every year. 

It's all good, as far as I'm concerned.  :-)

13 comments:

Bonny said...

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! Like you said, it's a day that is mainly for gratitude and simple enjoying. I don't mind cooking Thanksgiving dinner, I LOVE the leftovers, and there are is no stressful shopping for presents. I'm already craving a turkey sandwich and some fried stuffing!

Tired Teacher said...

The holidays bring back so many memories and expectations. I find this time of year bittersweet.

Lorraine said...

Bridget- Couldn't agree more. Though the coat over the costume was always a downer.

Araignee said...

When I was a kid I loved Christmas, the lights the music, the snow. When I was a teen it was Halloween for the dress up factor and being able to let my freak flag fly and not get made fun of for it. Now it is Thanksgiving that I love for it's simplicity. It has all the good parts of Christmas without all the gift giving issues. I am not good at wrapping and I am even worse at shopping. That said, Daughter just called this morning to say it's CHRISTMAS AT IKEA!!! Squeeee....I'm off.

Wanderingcatstudio said...


Readers digest version for me:
Hallowe'en: Dressing up is awesome!
Thanksgiving: MMMMMMM Turkey (and here in Canada we have it early so beautiful fall weather)
Christmas: I LOVE giving gifts. Getting them is great too, but I really enjoy finding the perfect gift for someone.

Kwizgiver said...

What a great post! I love wrapping presents, too! I look forward to it.

Kym said...

Thanksgiving is my all-time favorite holiday! The food; the togetherness; the relaxed mood all combine to make it THE BEST day! I actually love all the holidays between now and New Year's Day -- a most wonderful time of the year. (Halloween = The Gateway to the Holidays) XO

AsKatKnits said...

Wah! Only 3 holidays until the year is over! And, I know this time will fly by!

Nance said...

I think "The Holidays" (and by that, I mean the traditional T'giving + Xmas) are often ruined and made stressful by expectation and TOO MUCH OF EVERYTHING.

It's nice to stop and think about what makes you happy about each one and try to simplify and keep things upbeat and joyful.

(And I hated ruining the effect of my Halloween costume with coats and jackets when I was little! Sometimes, I even tried putting my costume OVER my coat!)

Anonymous said...

I think I went as a hobo almost every year. I wore my dad's fire boots, one of his Pendelton shirts and messed up my face with a piece of charcoal.

One time I wore his bunker gear (helmet, fire boots and jacket), but it was hot and it was heavy. I didn't do THAT again.

I love Thanksgiving --- MUST watch Macy's parade and of course, eat stuffing!

karen said...

I was never a fan of halloween especially helping my indecisive children decide on a costume. Oh the drama and stress. I love Thanksgiving and Christmas :) :)

Mereknits said...

I remember Christmas as a child it was simpler and more meaningful. Now it is so commercial and I am plain exhausted by the time it gets here. Now Halloween, I am still in love with it.

Judy S. said...

This is definitely the holiday season with 3 in a row and it seems to come faster every year!