KathrynZJ of RevGals writes:

Whether a RevGal or a Pal most of us in this cyber community have enhanced responsibilities during this time of year. We also have traditions – religious and secular – that mark the season for us in a more personal way.

For this Friday Five please let us know five of the things that mark the season for you.

And the bonus? Tell us one thing that does absolutely nothing for you.

Because of construction, we only have decorations up outside… but here’s what I’m waiting to do, once the first floor’s remodeling and renovation is done. 🙂 You’ll have to imagine our home decorated since everything is still in boxes. Photos will come later this month!

1. Family home. Or as Songbird says, “All the birds are in the nest.” (My kids think that’s cheesy. But if you are a parent, you’ll understand!) We’ll see The Johnnie home about a week before Christmas.

2. The Tree. Of course. Our tree has ornaments on it that I’ve collected for both daughters – one a year – and plenty more. I never can fit all of our ornaments on it. But when they take their collections with them as they have their own apartments/homes, I’ll still have plenty. Our tree is not up yet. Since we are still in the final stages of remodeling, I will be waiting to put the tree up the week of Christmas.

3. The Cookies. Again, we’re waiting on the kitchen to be finished. One of the things on Reedy Girl’s list is to BAKE BAKE BAKE!!! We have a variety of cookies and breads. A carbivore’s dream.

4. Christmas Eve. Sounds hokey, but I love a candlelight Christmas Eve service. One church where I was on staff, we used rented facilities and were never allowed to use real candles. We tried flashlights, battery candles and (the worst) glowsticks! (“Everyone snap your glowsticks on three for Silent Night…” Uh. No.)

5. Our family creches. There’s a large plaster one that was Bearded Brewer’s grandmother’s (made in the 1920s). There’s a wooden one with carved figures from olive wood (made in Bethlehem) augmented by an African animal set (including the warthog with raised tail!) There’s one made of unfired clay from Mexico. There’s a glass one. Christmas. The Nativity. They go together.

BONUS: I can do without: Cheesy Christmas songs (“Christmas Shoes”??? UGGGGGHHHH!!) and those inflatable displays that play tinkly holiday songs. It’s like a mash up of a blow-dryer and the worst sound an AM radio can offer next to Rush Limbaugh. Our family practice is to pretend to shoot a dart gun at them.