A lot like Christmas

My sisters, Steve and I spent Saturday making Christmas presents. We spent a lot of the day talking and planning, and little of it actually working, but we got a few things done.

My normal pattern is to think about Christmas in November, then decide that everyone I know has too much stuff anyway, and I don’t need to worry about gifts. Then around December 20, I develop this enormous enthusiasm for Christmas and wish I’d taken the time to handcraft gifts. But since it’s too late for that, I go out and spend a whack of money on more stuff for people who DO have too much stuff, and DON’T need another (fill in the blank).

I heard on CBC that Maritimers spend more than other Canadians on Christmas (according to VISA). My theory is that in the most economically-depressed area of Canada, Christmas is a time to buy things one has dreamed of through the year. Versus here in B.C., where people buy everything they want through the year, and so at Christmas, there’s nothing left for others to buy for them.

Steve and I have found that there’s truth to the saying that a house will suck up all your spare money, so we decided to make use of our craft supplies and fabric and make some Christmas gifts this year.

Of course, I can’t write much about what we’ve made or planned, because that would spoil the surprise. But my favourite project so far is pomander balls, made by studding an orange or lemon with cloves, dusting it with spices and leaving it to dry. But since last year’s oranges rotted, I’m using the oven this year. It makes the oranges dry faster and it makes the house smell great.

It's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas. Hmm mm hmm mmm hmmm.