My Grown Up Christmas List

I love Christmas songs. Give me Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” or Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song” and I can’t help but get into the holiday spirit. One tune though that has started to resonate with me more and more in my old(er) age is the song “My Grown Up Christmas List”.

My Grown Up Christmas List: Something to Believe In

“Miracle on 34th Street” is one of those classic Christmas movies and a prevailing theme is the ability to Believe.

“Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.”

Everyone needs something to believe in. Belief that your special someone will come along. Or belief that the Christmas bonus at work will help make ends meet. Or simply the belief that one of these nights your newborn baby will learn it is okay to sleep through the night.

And most of all the simple belief in Christmas magic.

My Grown Up Christmas List: “That” Person

Most of the time “that” person is used to refer to your significant other, but it doesn’t necessarily mean your prince charming like the stories told on our favorite Hallmark Christmas movies.

“That” person could be your best friend forever. The one who knows you and your quirks better than you know yourself.

“That” person could be your mom. The one who always knows where your favorite pair of jeans is hiding and willingly answers your questions on how to make her famous mashed potatoes.

I wish for you to have someone. A person who makes you feel loved, appreciated, and is always available as a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. It truly is one of life’s greatest gifts.

My Grown Up Christmas List: Kindness

What I’m trying to get at is, you NEVER know what secret struggles everyone is going through.

That van that just cut you off on the interstate? Is a single mom rushing to pick up her kids after school in between her two jobs.

That newly married couple you keep bugging when they are going to start “popping out some kids”? Is secretly struggling with infertility.

And that co-worker who turned down going to the bar after work for a little happy hour? Has an alcohol addiction and is currently working at being six months sober.

All I ask is you smile more and lend a helping hand to those in need.

My Grown Up Christmas List: Happiness

Life’s not all sunshine, roses, and unicorn stickers. But a sense of positivity can be infectious.

Laugh freely. Wear that Ugly Sweater. Join some friends to sing karaoke.

Take joy in life’s simple pleasures. Don’t reserve all your happiness for just major milestones in your life. There is plenty to be had day to day. Find it. Don’t be so numb to the world around you that being generally happy seems out of reach.

Go ahead wear the springy, wiggly, glittery shamrock head gear. You won’t be disappointed!

My Grown Up Christmas List: Christmas Calories

#1- I wish Christmas Calories didn’t count.

These cookies (and all the other Christmas goodies I’ve been eating) are making my jeans rebel.

I now understand why Santa’s a little plump.

Wishing you and your family’s a very happy and blessed Christmas season.

Chanda