All Dressed Up. Nowhere to Go.

This time of year being what it is my email inbox gets flooded with newsletters of various recipes for holiday cooking, baking, decorating, et al.  To the point that I get overwhelemed, and start to rebel against all of it.  I’ll make a few of my tried and true favourites instead, and try to politely sidestep the new “twists” on old classics.  Usually it involves somehow incorporating anise or chipotle into something.

As part of my rebellion, I’m choosing not to post a recipe this week.  I AM overwhelmed by all the holiday recipes, and even though I have a few dishes made, photographed and waiting in the wings for posting, they’re not entirely festive.  Besides, I'm sure you already have your own favourites ready to go, as well as the more volatile, stress-inducing holiday experiments you're about to unleash on friends and family.

I want to somewhat embrace the essence of the season, but without resorting to gingerbread, anise-scented hams, or quirky shortbread variations which might be better suited for skeet shooting.

Our home is devoid of Christmas decorations this year.  Not from any sort of Scroogieness, but if last year can be viewed as an experiment, then it’s safe to say that to decorate again would be plain stupid. 

One of our cats does not deal with change well, and as such proceeds to puke and poop in all places but the litter box.

Another one LOVED the Christmas tree, and proceeded to assimilate it into her already high-energy gymnastics antics.  Bulbs were smashed, the tree itself toppled, and the angel at the top suddenly seemed to have a pleading look on her face like a Jane Doe from Law and Order SVU.

The Christmas cards have found their place strung along the mantel, but there is no garland to accentuate their papery greetings.  Two words: tinsel shit.

The other cat generally adapts, but ends up with her usual sleeping places usurped, and instead finds new territory to spread the shed.  I wore out two lint rollers last year.

I feel bad not having decorations up.  Not that I’m generally one of the most “Spirit of the Season” individuals, with a Santa hat, ugly-battery-powered-flashing reindeer vest, and omnipresent cup of egg nog.  I am however, something of a stickler for tradition(s) and a certain sense of decorum.  I worry this is dying, and I fear my non-participation contributes to its slow death.

One need only glance on the street and see the number of people sporting track pants and yoga gear as day wear to observe the swan-dive into mannerless oblivion taking place all around us.

I can’t help but get a certain twinge of longing when watching certain TV shows (ie: Masterpiece Theatre) where the people would dress up for dinner IN THEIR OWN HOME!

This wasn’t because company was over. 

It wasn’t even necessarily because it was a particularly special occasion. 

It was just because that was what you did. 

It was proper. 

It was an observation of respect.

Is being all dressed up with nowhere to go such a bad thing?

So this year, Dear Reader, in an aim to placate the nagging guilt (which inevitably comes from my mother), I encourage us all to wear the season.  Whether in the form of full proper dress-up, or absurd sweater.  Whether for a quiet dinner with a loved one, a full barrage of family, or reheated frozen lasagne for one. I personally won’t be heading out to buy batteries to power-up some insipid Rudolph hat’s nose, however. 

I wish you all the best over these next few weeks, whatever you choose to celebrate, or even if you don’t.

Oh, and if you DO choose to wear yoga pants while eating dinner in front of the TV, at least be watching Masterpiece Theatre.

Update: A confession of sorts.  I did end up embracing a certain aspect of Christmas tackiness, but in the best way ever.  This was my Christmas Day shirt: 

Jealous?  You know you are.  But you don't need to be.  Check out Tees.ca for tonnes of brilliant and fun shirts for holidays and otherwise!