Christmas in July. Lots of people do it. After all, it’s the midpoint of the year. Hallmark channel runs all their holiday movies from the previous Christmas season in the month of July. Stores like Hobby Lobby and JoAnn’s start clearing their shelves to make room for the holiday supplies customers won’t be able to live without. And people like my late mom begin asking their kids to start making their Christmas lists.
Say, what? You may ask. Yes, you read it right. My mom always had my sister and I start our lists in July. It was our “Wish List.” We put down anything and everything we could ever want. Ponies and puppies figured heavily in our early lists, but they soon wound down to bikes, stereos, and cameras. Making our list was a fun activity on hot, lazy summer days.
When I became a mom, I continued the tradition, although I had boys. While girls love to sit down with pretty pens and practice their handwriting while writing lists, boys would much rather tell you and let you write it down. They’re too busy saving the world as superheroes, or unlocking the next level on a video game. Cornering them at the hottest time of the day and bribing them by turning on the air conditioner turned out to be the best motivator.
Now that my sons are grown, they’ve gone their own directions in regards to listing their “wants.” The older one will tell me ideas, and then write them down when I tell him I won’t remember all the way to December. The younger son, the one who follows a clock with no hands (I’m serious, here), will tell me one thing at the beginning of December, only to change his mind the week before Christmas. It can be very aggravating. But at the same time, I love his spontaneity.
Say, what? You may ask. Yes, you read it right. My mom always had my sister and I start our lists in July. It was our “Wish List.” We put down anything and everything we could ever want. Ponies and puppies figured heavily in our early lists, but they soon wound down to bikes, stereos, and cameras. Making our list was a fun activity on hot, lazy summer days.
When I became a mom, I continued the tradition, although I had boys. While girls love to sit down with pretty pens and practice their handwriting while writing lists, boys would much rather tell you and let you write it down. They’re too busy saving the world as superheroes, or unlocking the next level on a video game. Cornering them at the hottest time of the day and bribing them by turning on the air conditioner turned out to be the best motivator.
Now that my sons are grown, they’ve gone their own directions in regards to listing their “wants.” The older one will tell me ideas, and then write them down when I tell him I won’t remember all the way to December. The younger son, the one who follows a clock with no hands (I’m serious, here), will tell me one thing at the beginning of December, only to change his mind the week before Christmas. It can be very aggravating. But at the same time, I love his spontaneity.
As for myself, I begin writing a list for my eyes only. That memory thing, remember? Anyway, as I get closer to Christmas, I split the list three ways, gifts suitable for my husband to buy, others for my older son (who actually likes to shop), and a third list for the youngest, usually comprised of various gift cards. If I don’t do that, I’ll end up with three duplicate Amazon gift cards from them all!
My husband starts buying what he likes throughout the year, puts the gifts in a closet, tells me where everything is, and promptly forgets what he bought. It makes my shopping for him easier, and makes for a great Christmas Day for him. He’s always especially pleased.
When, or if, I get grandchildren, I will most likely ask them to write Christmas lists in July like I once did. I’m sure I’ll receive the same ponies and puppies requests. It will be hard to keep from granting those wishes. After all, aren’t grandparents supposed to fill the gap when beleaguered parents can’t quite do so?
Until that time, I will break out my prettiest pen, and start my private Christmas list. And then I’ll sit down with a bowl of popcorn, crank up the air conditioning, and pretend to be cold while I watch Hallmark Christmas movies all throughout July.
Do you make your Christmas list in July like I do? Do you look forward to Christmas in July movies? Let me know your favorites, and I’ll share mine!
My husband starts buying what he likes throughout the year, puts the gifts in a closet, tells me where everything is, and promptly forgets what he bought. It makes my shopping for him easier, and makes for a great Christmas Day for him. He’s always especially pleased.
When, or if, I get grandchildren, I will most likely ask them to write Christmas lists in July like I once did. I’m sure I’ll receive the same ponies and puppies requests. It will be hard to keep from granting those wishes. After all, aren’t grandparents supposed to fill the gap when beleaguered parents can’t quite do so?
Until that time, I will break out my prettiest pen, and start my private Christmas list. And then I’ll sit down with a bowl of popcorn, crank up the air conditioning, and pretend to be cold while I watch Hallmark Christmas movies all throughout July.
Do you make your Christmas list in July like I do? Do you look forward to Christmas in July movies? Let me know your favorites, and I’ll share mine!
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