Hubby and I don't have children, so we aren't tied to a certain set of holiday traditions. Ours have morphed over the years, that's for sure. But one thing we seem to always need to do is watch Christmas Vacation. I'm not sure how that one evolved, but it's become necessary each holiday season.
So, last night, we popped it into the DVD player and watched it on the big screen. Yes, it's certainly unrealistic in its over-the-top depictions of Christmas craziness. And it's dated with the 80s era clothes and hair (especially on Julia Louis-Dreyfus's character). But I think the movie says something about the holiday experience that's universal.
Don't we all have these huge expectations, like Clark Griswold, that never quite get fulfilled? I know what my friend Mark would say about that, but he's a priest. 🙂 (I still think it's possible to be somehow disappointed with the hype and expectations of the holiday as a regular churchgoer, but that's a different topic.) It's possible to build the seasonal expectations up so much that nothing quite fulfills the vision you may have had for it.
But back to the movie. 🙂 Hubby and I have even incorporated some of the lines into our lexicon. Driving to Florida, for example, we get behind a slow poke and Hubby says, “I'm gonna get around this egg timer.” Then there's the famous, “Eat my road grit, liver lips!”
We even say to each other sometimes, jokingly of course, “Don't piss me off, Art.” And who can see a squirrel without yelling, “Squirrrrreeeellllll!”?
So that's one of our traditions, quite by accident. We watch other movies too, and of course we tend to quote lines from A Christmas Story as well. We don't always get around to that one every year, but this year we will. I want to watch it on Hubby's movie theater screen.
We don't always have a tree (for various reasons), but we do this year. No traditions when it comes to decorating. My mom used to fix hot chocolate and we'd decorate with Christmas music on. Hubby and I listened to an audiobook (his choice) and drank wine (no, the decorations aren't crooked). I don't bake for the holidays, and we don't usually have any parties at our home.
Nope, watching Chevy Chase go overboard seems to be the most enduring tradition we have.
What are some of your traditions? Doesn't have to be television or movies. Do you bake? Sing certain songs or do something special each year? Have a big party?
I love Christmas Vacation! The kitty getting fried under the Chrismas Tree? Priceless.
I have to watch Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. (Put one foot in front of the other and soon you’ll be walking cross the flo-oooor!) Also, I have to get some sort of Scrooge movie in, whether it’s an old version (Black and white is really cool), George C. Scott or the muppets. LOL! I really love the movie, The Christmas List, with Mimi Rogers and Stella Stephens.
We don’t do the party circuit often but spend Christmas Eve with the DH’s family, open one gift Christmas Eve and abhor walking up at 6 a.m. at the behest of #2 (a habit she’s had since she was 6 years old of waking everyone in the house) to commence with gift opening. (Actually, she wanted to walk us up earlier than that and 6 a.m. was as early as we’d go. By 6 a.m. all the stockings have been searched and the dog riled.)
I’m sort of compulsive about Christmas, so bear with me. I have to watch all the cartoons – I have them on DVD, so that’s easy. Christmas Story, too. My mom and I have to have our baking day, although we hardly need it. We get to open one present on Christmas Eve. There’s more I can’t think of right now.
I’m a little off this year. We haven’t gotten a tree yet. I hung some lights around the door and put up a wreath, but that’s about it for decorating. I did my shopping and wrapping so early I’ve nearly forgotten what I’ve bought. I haven’t listened to any Christmas music. I’m just sorta distracted, I guess.
Oh man, how did I miss your comment, Kathy!?
I love the cartoons too. We have them all. I don’t usually have to see It’s a Wonderful Life, but I do love to see a version of A Christmas Carol — I actually love one of the earliest versions. 1929, I think?
My mother would *never* let us open anything early. Hubby and I have done the Christmas Eve gift before, but these days we don’t really buy stuff to put under the tree. We got two new flat screen televisions for our house, so that’s our present. Hubby got a Blu-ray player and a new receiver, and those count as birthday. So we’re done. But we will have presents for the parents. 🙂
I love all the cartoons, SP! Some years we don’t get to them all, but I intend to watch most of them this year. The puppet ones and the Grinch are especially important (but not that abomination of a Grinch movie). And Christmas Story. Must see it this year.
For music, I love Andre Rieu’s Christmas album. It’s a must listen every year. And I bought the Charlie Brown music this year — and I’m loving it.
Hmm, I wonder why you’re distracted? After that conversation on Sat about FB, etc, I’m not surprised! 😉
Christmas list (checking it twice)
Cook a ham.
Eat it.
Watch Red Dwarf.