Deck the Halls (Sara Blogs)

I admit it. I'm one of those crazy people. It takes an incredible amount of effort for me to wait all the way until August to start playing Christmas music. My CD collection is amply stocked but if I get tired of it, I know every good 24-hours-a-day-365-days-a-year-streaming-Christmas-marathon site on the web. I crack open my ever-growing supply of holiday books, weblogs and clippings. I review my notes from last year. And then, I finally, finally allow myself to start making lists.

Oh, how I do love a good list. I keep lists of gift ideas,  party ideas, school day ideas, vacation ideas, outdoor and indoor ideas, new ideas, old ideas worth repeating, decorating ideas, baking ideas, worship ideas...  

You know, maybe it's not so much the lists that I love. (Although, let's face it. I need them!) Maybe what I truly love is  the opportunity to splash around  in such an abundant ocean of ideas!

Sure, I could blame my holiday obsession on the fact that I have 5 kids between 4 and 8. (Yeah, yeah. I know. If I had a nickel for every time somebody told me I had my hands full!)  I could pass off my lengthy bacchanalia of Christmas creation on the fact that I value handmade gifts and old-fashioned customs. I could cite the ever-increasing necessity of environmental consciousness and frugality,  or my desire to return to family-centered celebrations, or even a (futile) effort to "beat the Christmas rush", but really... Who am I kidding?

I'm an artist. I love to create! How blessed we are to have important holidays as "excuses" to brainstorm, conspire, manufacture, anticipate, complete and present whole lists of original ideas, completed for the (almost) sole pleasure of those we love! 

Yes. Bring it on. 

PS  Is there an opportunity or event that really lights your creative fire? If not, could you imagine one that would? Do tell in the comments!