RV holidays are different than house holidays. I’ve been in a mood, since we began traveling, to indulge in the more kitschy kinds of holiday decor. Plastic snowmen tablecloths, Santa hand towels, and red/green garland above the main slide. I haven’t resorted to ugly sweaters yet, but every so often they call to me at Walmart. I bought wrapping paper with sea creatures wearing Santa hats. I even sent out Christmas cards with Santa camping by an RV! The only reason I haven’t bought blow up yard decorations is because Bruce would remind me (with frustration), that we have to take them with us and my joy would end.
(Side note, this comes by at night, makes Benji crazy)
When our girls were growing up, Santa was no where in our home. No paper, cards, gifts or decorations ever included Santa. We had various reasons, mainly we wanted them to know that mom and dad give good gifts to their children, just as God gives good gifts to his. There were devotionals, and a nativity set they played with. Story books and presents, music and candy making kept things fun. We also didn’t want them to experience the awful realization that Santa was actually mom and dad. It was fairly heartbreaking for me when I learned it as a child. But the bottom line reason? All mine…
Why do I want some fat guy in a red suit to get all the credit for what I do at Christmas?
I’m also really bad at lying, I’m too literal. My answer to all those pesky “how does Santa?”, questions would be “it’s magic”. If I botched the secret I’d be entirely responsible for killing the joy. They’d have one more thing to be in therapy for, and I’ve already given them enough.
Growing up Santa was everything before mom and dad became Christians. Santa brought it all! Tree, lights, decorations, tinsel, and presents. I remember family dinners with aunts and uncles, grandparents and cousins. My sister and cousin would steal the olives for their fingers, while the grown ups argued over politics, (times never change).
Santa didn’t set up till we were in bed with stomach aches from excitement and too many olives. Late night for mom and dad! No pre-lit, artificial trees either. I don’t know about you, but before trees arrived pre-lit, there was annual lamenting over untangling lights. I remember lost time spent finding the stinker to replace, so the strand would work. I can only imagine how it must have been for my parents. But for my sister and I,
It was magical.
Everything changed after they became Christians, no more Santa. More kids came along and it was Jesus, Cabbage Patch dolls, Strawberry Shortcake and stockings. Mom was a nut for stockings. She once put a can of Spahgetti O’s in one of my sister’s. We’ve all carried on her tradition to this day. There is usually an overflow bag for whatever doesn’t fit inside. Both of my girls have said if they had to pick, they’d choose stockings over presents.
Why am I now indulging in all of the kitsch?
It’s fun! And it makes me cheerful about the holidays when I’m far from loved ones. I’ve made it a habit to send handmade gifts to people each year, that also makes me happy, though postage is outrageous! I sent a quilt all the way to Brussels Belgium from Michigan, in the summer of 2023. I recently sent one from Florida to California, for about the same price. I can remember a time when stamps were a nickel. I know I sound old, but come on. UPS has become more affordable than USPS.
My ambitions in this regard may have to curb themselves one day.
We’ve spent many holidays by ourselves over the years. We almost never have thanksgiving with our kids. One SIL is allergic to dairy, the other has celiac disease (try navigating that menu). And Christmas has always been hit or miss due to distance, weather and job schedules. Traveling hasn’t made it easy for our kids to be with us, but our youngest has committed to Christmas each year we’re on the road. The first year it was North Carolina, last year Indiana (when we all came down with the NoroVirus) and this year Orlando.
For our first 2 years on the road I didn’t send cards. I’m one of those annual letter/card people. I know, I know, they’re overdone. I can’t help myself, I’ve a fan base and I cater to it. This year I sent them. It felt good and I’m hoping to get replies. We have an address! And because of our travels there are new people to include.
We’re doing the very biggest, most kitschiest kind of thing for Christmas this year. We’re going to a theme park. Our youngest and her husband are flying here to meet us in Orlando, so we can do 3 days at Universal Studios. Theme parks are like kryptonite, they repel me. I love the otherworldness, but HATE the crowds. I get claustrophobic, might even need meds. Our daughter is a master planner and has done a detailed schedule, downloaded the app, meal planned, rest planned and has done what she can to make it a stress free experience. I will owe her forever.
Traveling full time has many benefits and joys. Celebrating holidays far from friends and family isn’t one of them. I may have reached my limit on warm weather holidays, away from loved ones. Many snowbirds leave their southern abodes to be with their families, but they have permanent homes to go back to. We don’t. And honestly, as much as winter weather can be a drag, I love it at Christmas. Sunshine and swimming temps just feel wrong.
And that, my friends, is what’s brewing in my brain today!
Happy Holidays!
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