It’s Boxing Day! My second most favorite day of the year (my most favorite happens in June). “Boxing Day”! It even has a great sound to it. Something of substance. Why is this day my almost favorite? Because waking up on this day means that Christmas is over! Finished! Done! Finito! Vorbei! And no, you would not be the first person to call me Grinch. I earned the badge and wear it with pride!
Honestly, I am not sure where my disdain for this holiday stems from. Even as a kid I could not wait for it all to be over. Maybe the fact that I never really got what I wanted for presents has something to do with it although I’d hate to think that I would be so shallow as to make this all about consumerism. What I usually unwrapped was something that my mom wanted for me. So excuse my disappointment. In Germany we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve and by the time the 25th rolled around you could usually find me on a train heading towards Austria for a ski vacation with my aunt and uncle. Now, that was something I loved, something I always looked forward to, something I really really wanted.
And it’s not that I have no tried. For many years I convinced myself that if only I tried hard enough I could embrace it all. I gathered and collected all the trimmings that make a house “christmas-y”, even got a real fake tree (getting a living one was just a bit too traumatizing even for someone trying to bring in the Holiday Cheer) and hung lights, ornaments, and chili peppers (don’t ask). For years I gave myself a prep talk in late fall to just suck it up and let the holiday spirit sweep me up on its angelic wings. Only to come crushing down in a heap of tangled lights by mid December. Finally I just had to let go of the forced warmth and face the hard cold reality instead. I do not like Christmas!!! There I said it!
In fact pretty much everything about the Holidays drives me around the twist. From the decorations, the constant jingle music wherever you go, the TV ads filled with cheerful people crying over the most tasteless jewelry money could possibly buy, to the road rage that seems to be descending upon us right before Thanksgiving and usually coming to a climax on Christmas Eve.
And we have not even touched on the traditions… cutting down a perfectly healthy tree, dressing it up in shiny balls and wrapping it in popcorn string, singing group songs completely off tune, traumatizing young children with an overweight old man draped in red velvet, stuffing fowl with bread and forcing yourself to spend time with people you usually do not choose to talk to – also known as relatives.
I am very happy to report that hubby and I see eye to eye on this and have all but banned anything from the house that resembles the Holidays even remotely. Last year we threw out the last remnant and have not replaced it. Life goes on. We got used to it. And the fact that we continue to live is only one of many reminders of how well life can be lived without the Christmas panic. For us is has become just another day, no fuss, no muss. We like it that way, it’s our tradition. So there!
Not to get derailed from our routine we spent yesterday’s festivities just as we like them by sleeping in late, walking the dog, going for a long run (me), finishing up a bit of work (Hubby), and going out for dinner at a very sparkly place.
Yeah for traditions!
Courtesy Cartoon Network
Today’s Running Tip: Kickboxing is a great cross training activity!
Kickboxing strengthens your core. Strong core muscles maintain the stability of the spine and are key in supporting a strong and enduring stride during your runs.
