I really want to jump the gun

Yesterday I went to a luncheon and they gave out those little raffle tickets. The fellow handed me mine and said, "Here's the winning ticket." A dubious assumption. I never win anything. I am always the one who graciously claps while others at my table win huge gift baskets and centerpieces. Smiling through spite. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. Until today.

I had no idea what they were even raffling off. This is how certain I was that I would not win. They break out a large backet and say, "Here's a little something to start off your holiday season." I heard just that. And something about $75 worth of something. They call the number and I'm doing a very half hearted job of finding my ticket and HOLY CRAP! I won. I walked up to the podium, praying in my head that the basket had wine or other liquor in it, with the most smug of look I could possibly muster up. I reserved that right.

The basket was heavy. I plopped down in my chair, all kinds of proud at my good fortune and started showing my loot off to John, who happens to be one of the principals for a company who is my largest contractor at work and adorable in a large teddy bear way. He is as giddy as I am. There was no adult beverages but the was peppermint bark, toffee hot chocolate, holiday coasters (only me, with my Monica Gellar-esque tendencies, would be ecstatic over coasters...), a variety of other sugary items, a teddy bear ny daughter went nuts over and the two most perfect holiday mugs you will ever see. Ever.

I know. I am utterly jazzed over holiday mugs. I understand how weird that sounds but they are so damn cute I took them out of the basket all afternoon and just looked at them. They are not at all kitchy like the reindeer sweaters grandmothers in Walmart sport this time of year. Oh no. They are kind of funky and retro looking from Pier 1. One matches the decor of my whole house entirely too well. I see a trip to Pier 1 for a whole bunch more in my future, which is good because I apparantly need to go there to get "Indian takeaway faerie lights" per my posh British friend Sali. Two birds meet one stone. Really, I can't tell you enough how darling these mugs are. I might carry pictures of them in my wallet as though they are my children.

These mugs are creating a small problem, though. I now want to break out all of my Christmas stuff and go to town on my house. I may not be able to wait any longer. My friend Veronica gave me her full blessing to get my Martha on two weeks ago. If I did it next weekend, I'd only be two weeks early, right? No harm there if it makes me happy, right? And it does make me happy. I can sense this Christmas is going to be much better than last year. Honestly, I don't think it can get worse. Go check the Archives of Christmas Past. You'll agree. I have that going for me and that may be reason enough to celebrate.

So what are your thoughts? Bypass Thanksgiving and move right from Halloween to Christmas? Or go with my least favorite virtue - patience?

Comments

[Auntie Mame]

I revive this little essay every year at this time. If I had a "style", this would be it. Enjoy!

Martha Stewart will not be dining with us this Thanksgiving. I'm telling you in advance, so you won't be surprised.
Since Ms. Stewart won't be coming, I've made a few small changes:
* Our sidewalk will not be lined with homemade, paper bag luminaries. After a trial run, it was decided that no matter how cleverly done, rows of flaming lunch sacks do not have the desired welcoming effect.
* Once inside, our guests will note that the entry hall is not decorated with the swags of Indian corn and fall foliage I had planned to make. Instead, I've gotten the kids involved in the decorating by having them track in colorful autumn leaves from the front yard. The mud was their idea.
* The dining table will not be covered with expensive linens, fancy China, or crystal goblets. If possible, we will use dishes that match and everyone will get a fork. Since this IS Thanksgiving, we will refrain from using the plastic Santa plates and napkins from last Christmas.
* Our centerpiece will not be the tower of fresh fruit and flowers that I promised. Instead we will be displaying a hedgehog-like decoration, hand-crafted from the finest construction paper. The 5-year old artist assures me it is a turkey.
* We will be dining fashionably late. The children will entertain you while you wait. I'm sure they will be happy to share every choice comment I have made regarding Thanksgiving, pilgrims, and the turkey hotline. Please remember that most of these comments were made at 5:00 a.m. upon discovering that the turkey was still hard enough to cut diamonds.
* As accompaniment to the children's recital, I will play a recording of tribal drumming. If the children should mention that I don't own a recording of tribal drumming, or that tribal drumming sounds suspiciously like a frozen turkey in a clothes dryer, ignore them. They are lying.
* We toyed with the idea of ringing a dainty silver bell to announce the start of our feast. In the end, we chose to keep our traditional method. When the smoke alarm sounds, please gather around the table and sit where you like. In the spirit of harmony, we will ask the children to sit at a separate table. In a separate room. Next door.
* Now, I know you have all seen pictures of one person carving a turkey in front of a crowd of appreciative onlookers. This will not be happening at our dinner. For safety reasons, the turkey will be carved in a private ceremony. I stress "private", meaning: Do not, under any circumstances, enter the kitchen to laugh at me. Do not send small, unsuspecting children to check on my progress. I have an electric knife. The turkey is unarmed. It stands to reason that I will eventually win. When I do, we will eat.
* I would like to take this opportunity to remind my young diners that "passing the rolls" is not a football play. Nor is it a request to bean your brother in the head with warm tasty bread.
* Oh, and one reminder for the adults: Before I forget, there is one last change. Instead of offering a choice between 12 different scrumptious desserts, we will be serving the traditional pumpkin pie, garnished with non-dairy whipped cream and small fingerprints. You will still have a choice: take it or leave it.

[Sam Grace]

I think a lot of people bypass Thanksgiving for Christmas. But just imagine how sick of everything you'd be by the 25th.

[Kelly]

I actually just checked out a friend's blog; her first baby is past due now, so she and her mom took the initiative and decorated the whole house so once he arrives she won't have to worry with it. She posted pictures of her Christmassy interiors and I was very motivated. (The outside isn't done yet, but she said J promised her it would be done the day after Thanksgiving for sure.)

[Nicole]

I am ready to put out my Christmas stuff now. And the holiday mugs sound so fun and perfect.My Christmas stuff will be out Thanksgiving day just because I still love my Fall wreath.

[A Word To The Wise]

perhaps something in 2009?

[Joyce]

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Joyce

http://www.videophonesguide.com

[A Word To The Wise]

Three months.....
"Is this the end of Ricco?"?