Merry Christmas!

I have a confession to make. Approximately five or six years ago, I hit up some after Christmas sales. I love them! It’s a great way to stock up and start next year’s prep. But this particular year, I found myself at JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts. I honestly don’t even remember why, this store isn’t one I typically go to for a few rolls of wrapping paper and packs of gift labels. Perhaps it was to see if I could find some interesting ornaments to add some diversity to all the glittery ball-shaped ones that tenuously hang on our tree’s branches from those little (mostly misshapen) wire hooks.

Regardless of the actual reason, I remember I was alone, wandering through the aisles, and texting a writing buddy on the West Coast. That’s when I spotted it. THE bargain. The bargain I didn’t know I wanted. Until now.

It was a wreath. There was nothing special about this wreath (other than it cost only a little more than $5); it was the usual perfectly fluffy pine circle you’d find in the store. There were no bends in the structural wiring system yet. No crushed faux branches or lost needles. Oh, and did I mention it was frosted? Yep, fake snow was dusted all over it. It was gorgeous. Gorgeous but plain. There were no ribbons or bows or beautiful shiny trinkets. I mean, I was in a craft store, not a department store.

As I stared at this wreath, memories of a recent trip to a local nursery flooded my mind. I had just taken my girls to a Christmas Around the World exhibit where they had wreaths and décor from different areas of the world, along with printouts we could read along the way describing some of the various ways different cultures celebrated the holiday season. There was even live instrumental music and hot dogs and hot cocoa. We had had a lovely time.

As I stared at this wreath, I just knew I could take this plain wreath and make it into something special. I had even taken a picture at the nursery of an exquisitely whimsical pink peppermint wreath that I had found myself standing in front of again and again. Eventually, I had broken down and taken a picture and hoped I could find something similar online or at a craft show one day. But here, at the craft store, I just knew I could do it. I could make a wreath just like that pink peppermint wreath at the nursery. I even had a picture to guide me!

Never mind the fact that templates and models have never helped me before. See, I am severely impaired in the field of visual art creation. Despite my best efforts, I think I barely passed art in elementary and junior high school, and as soon as I was allowed to eliminate it from my schedule, I did so. Immediately and with great rejoicing. Somehow I can never get my hands or fingers to recreate what my eyes see. So, I’ve accepted that this simply isn’t my gift set, and immensely enjoy all the beautiful things those who are talented create. Except this time. I bought the wreath.

Ideas poured into my mind. My fingers flew over my phone, scouring the internet for just the right shiny doodads to glue on my wreath. It’ll be for my daughters. They’ll love a whimsical frosted pink peppermint wreath for their door.

To my disappointment, even with after Christmas sales, all the shiny little somethings I wanted were still quite pricey. I did the math in my head, and making such a splurge purchase, especially right after Christmas, was a no-go. I settled with simply having the wreath and decided that I would purchase one item per year for the wreath, my girls and I would pick it together, and it would be a new annual Christmas tradition! Yes, that was perfect!

Except the next year came and went, and I didn’t buy anything. And the next, and the next, and the next. We moved, and…you guessed it, I moved our plain, frosted wreath with us. It’s still perfectly shaped and has all its needles. But no ribbons, no bows, and no shimmery, sparkling little knick-knacks.

Just this year, as I was doing some late Christmas shopping, I spotted it. It was perfect! It was pink and shiny. It was a small strawberry sundae ornament. Okay, okay, it wasn’t quite peppermint, but it was pink! And we could call it pink peppermint ice cream instead of strawberry, right? I picked it up and almost put it in my cart, then stopped. As I looked at it, wistfully thinking of all my initial hopes with this silly wreath purchase I had made years ago, I put the ornament back. Not because it was a budget-buster. It wasn’t. I had a realization.

My girls were growing up! They were so much older than when I bought the wreath with them in mind, and I seriously doubt they would want—or even like—a whimsical frosted pink peppermint wreath anymore. I suppose I should talk with them and see what they would like. Maybe we can make our wreath something different entirely. Probably NOT pink. Not anymore. I wanted to cry but instead just sighed to myself and put it back.

Life can be funny like that sometimes. Time can get away from us. The holidays can be a great opportunity to pause and celebrate our lifelong memories and another year of growth and change. It can be a great time to reflect back on the goodness of God over the past year—or years—His goodness which is there during both the happy and the sad times.

I’ll admit, putting that ornament back at the store that day was a VERY bittersweet moment. As a mom, I deeply miss the pitter patter and sticky faces and fingers. But yet, every time I see them make their own choices to serve God, to worship Him, and to live lives of kindness and generosity toward others, in floods the sweet. Big time.

Life is full of seasons. The holidays can be a wonderful opportunity to appreciate each one as we spend time with family and friends, enjoying all the special traditions of music, food, and decorations together. And what about that wreath? It’s still in my closet, waiting to be decorated. Maybe next year.

Merry Christmas!