It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas around here. I think I’m finally finding my Christmas groove. As you know, I didn’t grow up with Christmas so all this decorating and candy-cane eating is a little foreign to me. For years I’ve been fascinated with it but never really felt like I got it. I understand people like to make things cozy and festive but where do you store all this crap when Christmas is over? That’s been my biggest hang up.

This year we are not spending Christmas at home. That means no tree. The tree is the best part for me. It’s big and pretty and it smells divine! I LOVE fresh tree smell! The best part for me though is that when Christmas is over, you can just throw it away! No storage dilemmas!

I don’t mean to be environmentally irresponsible or anything. I know there are all kinds of politics about recycling trees, planting them or using something fake over and over BUT I just love a real tree! Someday I will have a yard and I will plant my real trees. I’ll have groves of them when I’m old. But right now I’m all for making the landfill smell a little better. Please don’t kill me!

Anyway, I’ve been thinking about decorating our house a little bit because it’s fun and we’re here right up until Christmas anyway. We aren’t actually leaving to spend the holidays up north until the night before or something. So why live in a boring old apartment when you can walk to the Christmas tree lot down the street and bring home some branches!

Yes! There is a Christmas tree lot within walking distance of my house! How fun is that? Baby Bug and I had a lot of fun there the other night poking around in the rain and bringing home a handful of FREE branches. I would have taken pictures but it was raining and I was having quite a time of it holding the umbrella, Baby Bug and my branches.

The branches are not quite a tree but they do smell lovely AND they’re disposable. No storage! I wanted to make a wreath with them but I don’t have the patience to bend a hanger into a circle. I’ve tried it other years and it was just foolishness. Hangers do not come in circles for a reason and I am not a welder. I am just not She-Ra enough. That’s all I have to say.

Then there is my Christmas Card Wall of fame. It’s terribly cluttered but I like it. At least I like it until January when I will rip it off the wall with that fresh-clean-sweep feeling. Christmas clean-up is so rewarding that way. Maybe I’m just a nut.

I didn’t mean this post to be about my on-going battle against entropy; it just sort of seeps in when I’m not looking. I think I’m back-lashing against the season of shopping. Christmas is about clutter and I HATE clutter.

But that doesn’t mean I’m not a sucker for buying things. Check out the giant hedgehog I bought Baby Bug. I love it! I think I love it more than she does. Isn’t it so cute? It’s fun to flop on too. You can throw yourself on it like a bean bag and it makes a satisfying “fwomp” sound. I think everyone should rush out and buy one. Just think of the fun you could have with this at the office! Launch pad anyone?

If I had to pick a mascot for the season, I’d pick a hedgehog. I know everyone loves penguins and owls but in my book hedgehogs are IT. I don’t even know what they are. I don’t think I’ve even seen one in real life. I just know they are cute. If I had more time I would develop a whole line of hedgehog greeting cards. Maybe I’ll do that next year.

I wanted to make a free downloadable Christmas card for you guys this year but I think it’s too late. What happened to December? Is this what it’s like to have a life? Remember when I was pregnant and I was bummed because I had no plans and I just sat around with my fat self feeling all lonely and bored? Those days are gone. I don’t need a social life, I have a kid!

Everything that ever matters is happening right in my own living room now.