The party is fun… but after the party is better. My mom always used to say (and still says) that December 26 is her favorite day of the year. Agreed.
The gifts under the tree have been opened. The leftovers are being eaten (frosted sugar cookies for breakfast included). The kids are playing with the new dollhouse that Santa brought (as you suddenly realize you have absolutely NO PLACE to put it in your house). It’s absolutely acceptable and suggested to lay on the couch all day in your pajamas and watch movies until your heart’s content (or until you have to go to the bathroom). Your husband sits next to you on the couch but nobody talks to each other. The kids are sneezing and cranky and your body feels like you may’ve gotten run over by that super-fast Christmas train you were riding and giggling on just this past week.
You’re pooped. You feel fat and almost-sick from all those cookies from breakfast. You drink water out of one of your crystal wedding goblets just for the holiday fun of it. (Did I mention you’re still wearing your pajamas?)
You’re with your family. So you stop and take a few moments to replay the holiday memories you just made over the last few weeks in your head: First time at the Nutcracker, Discovering what boring parents you and your spouse are (and how amazing it feels), The spontaneous get together you threw together for old and new friends at your home, Picking out the perfect Christmas tree with your daughters (for the sixth time!), Laughing as your 3 year old tried to steal a giant lion from your local TV station and how your first-born angel sang Christmas carols to a bunch of elderly folks a few weeks back… And you enjoy all the memories in your head. Because you will soon be back to eating healthy things for breakfast, getting unsick kids dressed for school, shouting to your husband in his office (on his computer, finishing up all his ‘work stuff’) that dinner is ready and to “come now and eat or else you’re never going to cook dinner again…”
The party’s done. JUST. STOP. AND LAY. IN PAJAMAS. Without scrolling Facebook or Twitter. Drinking water out of a crystal goblet.
God Bless the fabulous day after Christmas.
Wishing everyone a wonderful post-holiday week of NOTHING. (Nothing!) Because we all need it.
