Cheer
I have had a bit of a Bah Humbug attitude about Christmas this year. One gets bombarded with Christmas guilt from about September on and despite the kids countdown to December (when chocolate Advent Calendars can be popped and the official ban on decorations is lifted in the Granite Glen house) I just haven’t been able to ‘feel the magic’.
If you have been around here a while, you will know we have an annual event here in our corner of the bush called The Christmas Tree. It took place this weekend.
Now I am not TOTALLY sure why it is called that. It’s hardly a New York Style Lighting of the Tree event. There IS a Christmas Tree involved, but it is kind of incidental to proceedings – it’s really the end-of-school-year, Christmas-themed, drama-and-song-filled hit-out. My job (which appears to have become an annual task) is to decorate the hall.
Our teeny-tiny school is located in a teeny-tiny town (no shops) which boasts a very sweet old hall. It is timber and only got a ceiling in the most recent decade, and really needs a fair bit of TLC. Floors that once saw weekly dancing action after being sprinkled liberally with the (now banned) Pop’s sawdust, have definitely seen better days. It’s a long time since a paintbrush brightened it’s weathered exterior. Just one or two events a year are now held in it’s well-worn walls.
But it’s amazing how a few fairy lights and some tinsel can spark up a place.
(Although don’t you hate it when a circuit goes after you get the darned things into place!).
Our two had been hugely excited by the lead up to The Christmas Tree, and been up since 5am in their over-anticipation. They had also been swimming during their school day as I (and some very handy helpers including my husband – who did all the ‘high light’ work) spruced up the venue. I wondered if they would even stay awake on the 15km trip back into ‘town’ for the event.
As darkness fell, we arrived to see that many locals had already poured into the confines of our old hall.
And these guys were the drawcard…
That’s pretty much our whole school there on stage, being introduced by their teacher.
Among the skits performed was the old ‘He No Looka So Good’ horse trading one. Dash was supposed to be wearing his Dallas Cowboy boots for this one, but his parents left them behind on the night. Orange crocs stood in and failed to dull his performance at all.
Anyone notice the Hobby Horse from this recent event taking a starring role? Money well-spent already!
All the students got well and truly into the spirit of their performances – I believe a meteorite was about to hit in this scene…
There were, of course, carols. But in the spirit of bush humour, the main song was:
“I’m gettin’ NUTTIN’ for Christmas!” (lyrics here) with some very enthusiastic moves.
Dash adores performing. He practiced for ages in the days leading up to this event.
I think we all know what Violet’s Christmas song should be…
Those fence posts she will eventually call her front teeth remain barely restrained by gum.
There was a ‘graduation’ ceremony and cake for the one year seven student leaving. She cried. And so did I (I am a terrible sympathetic crier).
Of course there also was a visit from a large gent in red, which delighted the kids enormously. Even those who doubted his existence. And without wanting to dim the magic any, the cutest sight of the night was a darling little man (in blue above) brandishing his freshly-stripped gift (just handed over by Mr Claus) to his mother and then demanding to see Dad. She has her hands full distracting him for the required ten minutes til a certain transformation could be achieved.
Among the gifts were toy machine guns – here is K (mother and part-time teacher) on the receiving end of a traditional Christmas shoot-out.
We went home with two very tired kiddos. And then back to the hall the next morning to take down the lights and tinsel, sweep out the old hall and close the doors til next year.
It was a bit sad really.
But I think it got me over the Bah Humbug-ness of my Christmas-leadup. I think I’m ready to festoon our old house with some Christmas cheer.
-0000-
How about you?
Are you ready to start celebrating yet?
Does the thought appal you?
Do you celebrate Christmas at all?
12 Comments
Fleur McDonald
Oh it’s tooo close! There is still too much to do; wean the calves, drench the sheep, cart the hay and start the feedlot. That’s WITHOUT starting on the kids stuff. I only found out yesterday there is another two weeks of school left. I walked around in a dazed stupor for the rest of the day. Can’t think where the year has gone…
Fleur McDonald´s last blog post ..Guest blog Post: Penni Russon – Only, Ever, Always
Leenie
There is nothing like a performance by a bunch of bright-eyed kiddos to knock down the bah-humbug. Works every time for me. Those smiles (with and w/o front teeth) spread the true holiday spirit.
Leenie´s last blog post ..WEATHER EYE DO
debby
Yesterday, we went through our ornaments with Dylan and Brittani. We’ve always picked ornaments for the kids so that when they were grown, they’d have their own collection of memories to bring to their own holiday. I am ready for Christmas in our new house. I can’t wait to get our tree up and decorated.
debby´s last blog post ..Tractor Supply
Kelly
I forced myself to start with the decorating today. I may save the tree until one of the kids can come home and help. I think I’m getting old and crotchety.
Kelly´s last blog post ..I Spy – Thankful
Nancy in Iowa
I’m still bah! Humbug! But planning to be back on the East coast next year this time, spending it with my beloved grandson, Henry (now 2) and his parents.
In the meantime, I was delighted to ready your guest blog on Fleur’s blog…I knew most of your history from following you for some time, but I learned even more. Thank heavens for your blog!!!
JENNY TALIA
Yes, yes and YES! Can’t wait to get back home and get stuck into all things Chrissy!! x
jeanie
I have always had the 1st December date as my earliest to think about Christmas – however V is lobbying hard with the girls to move it forward to his traditional “the day after Thanksgiving” – I have caved in theory but am still firmly holding up the “no carols” banner until Thursday.
jeanie´s last blog post ..First thing in the morning
Fiona
I think we’re living parallel lives BB … the small town, small school, excited kids, all the end-of-year events to fit in the next month, as well as peering skyward for clouds. Looks like a great night was had by all. Our poor old hall is looking a little tired as well, sad really.
Fiona´s last blog post ..Fun in the Sun
A Novel Woman
I’m waiting to hear about numbers, i.e., how many I’ll be cooking for this year. As the family grows, so does the size of the turkey, and the number of potatoes going in the pot. I think we’re up to about 25 now? Which means 2 turkeys – one is cooked and sliced and put away Xmas Eve, and the second one cooked Xmas Day. Yes, it’s nuts. But fun.
A Novel Woman´s last blog post ..The Hidden Power of Smiling
Bragger
Having my daughter home for Thanksgiving helped me get SOMEWHAT in the spirit. She and I put up the tree and did some shopping (for ourselves, but it was still shopping). It gets harder every year, when it seems to get here EARLIER every year. The first Christmas trees appeared around here at Halloween. Arrrggghhhhh!!!
Margie from New York
Definitely celebrate Christmas here. It seems like the stores start puting Christmas stuff up before Halloween. It doesn’t just seem like it they do. Usually after Thanksgiving which was on the 24th (last week) it puts me in the mood for Christmas. I need to start shopping though. I am way behind.
Margie from New York´s last blog post ..It’s Tuesday
Theresa in Alberta
What bunch of adorable performers!! I could send you some snow from CanadaEH to get ya in the mood ;D