My Accidental Christmas Traditions

Tradition is not my thing.  In fact, I feel trapped by it and consider it another example of group-think.  

Any holiday discussion that includes, 'because that's how we've always done it' makes me want to run.

The problem with tradition is that it compels us do stuff again and again, like robots, without thinking.  Then, if we decide not to do it, say, because we dread it every year and it makes no sense whatsoever, we feel like the one who broke the chain letter.  

Bad, bad things could happen. 

But just because I'm dissing tradition, that doesn't mean there aren't a few things that I find myself doing year after year at Christmas time:

1)  Dithering about how to make Christmas meaningful.  Still hoping to figure this out one day.

2)  Angsting about whether or not to give gifts, and to whom.  Where does one draw the line?

3)  Buying perfume for myself.  This is always meaningful.

4)  Finding creative ways to decline private party invitations from my staff.

5)  Discussing with B-man the degree to which we will decorate the house.  Each year is different.

6)  Considering a Christmas Eve service - for nostalgia sake - then talking myself out of it.

7)  Making a double batch of my very own fudge recipe to give away.

8)  Eating fudge until I hate it and vow never to make it again.

9)  Going to my sister's house on Christmas night to drink wine, dance to Livin' La Vida Loca and celebrate together.

10)  Feeling grateful that another year will pass before the next Christmas rolls around.

What are your accidental Christmas traditions?

Picture from savannahtheatre.com