Getting into the Christmas Spirit

  • Post category:Holidays
  • Reading time:2 mins read

I’ve found myself in a little bit of a dilemma. I told myself a while back that I was going to publish a post every two weeks, and I think I’ve been pretty good at doing that. However, the next post is supposed to be published next weekend, but we have something special planned, so I probably won’t have the time to post anything next weekend. “Should I skip next weekend’s post and post the following weekend instead, or do I publish a short post this weekend that just covers the past week?” Obviously, I chose the first option.

Not much has happened this past week other than Christmasy stuff. Last weekend we started to put up our Christmas decorations:

 

Four small hanging snow‑globe ornaments, each with a red‑and‑green base and a tiny Christmas tree scene inside. The bases are personalized with the names “Jeff,” “Stacy,” “Jackson,” and “James.” They hang from silver chains in front of a mirror. Awall covered with colorful children’s artwork is seen in the mirror's reflection.

 

Indoor Christmas scene featuring a large rug illustrated with Santa holding a stocking full of toys, surrounded by holiday colors. In the background, a hallway leads to a lit Christmas tree with presents underneath. A wooden table to the left is decorated with holiday items, including a Santa figure, a small tree, and a red‑and‑white cloth. The overall setting feels warm, festive, and full of seasonal detail.

 

Cozy living room decorated for Christmas. A wooden roll‑top desk has three stockings hanging from the top labeled “James,” “Mom,” and “Dad,” each with festive designs like snowmen and Santa. The desk shelves hold small figurines and glassware. To the right, a bookshelf filled with colorful books and storage bins sits beside a small Christmas tree wrapped in purple tinsel and lights, with a Santa tree skirt resting on the floor beneath it. A bouquet of flowers on top of the shelf adds a bright touch to the warm holiday scene.

 

A suburban front yard decorated for Christmas. A large inflatable sock‑monkey wearing a Santa hat and green scarf sits near the driveway, holding a red‑and‑white candy cane. The house behind it has a white garage door lit with green and red lights on either side. Bare winter trees frame the scene, giving it a cheerful, seasonal feel.

 

Front yard decorated for Christmas with several illuminated spiral light trees and three inflatable holiday characters: a bear in a green sweater and red hat, a smaller bear in an orange outfit, and a white figure wearing a Santa hat. The inflatables sit on a white base resembling snow. The single‑story house behind them has beige siding, stone accents, and maroon shutters, with additional string lights wrapped around nearby bushes. The scene feels cheerful and festive.

 

A white canvas with two green painted footprints arranged side by side, each topped with a small red bow. Below the prints, the word “Mistletoes” is written in black marker, creating a playful Christmas pun. The artwork has a simple, homemade, festive feel.

 

We were supposed to take James to a special needs holiday party on Wednesday night, but we decided to keep James home. He had a little bit of congestion, and his heart rate was a little elevated, so we didn’t want to risk it. Knock on wood, but he hasn’t been sick yet this winter. Let’s keep it that way!

Yesterday we went to our palliative care’s Christmas party.

 

Stacy leaning in close to James, smiling warmly while holding a brown stuffed monkey. James is lying back on a cushioned support or wheelchair seat with a soft cloth under his head. In the background, several people sit at tables in a large, bright room, suggesting a community or social gathering.

 

James in a stroller holding a brown stuffed monkey, with Jeff and Stacy crouching down behind him. A person dressed as Santa Claus is positioned next to James. The indoor setting has a festive, holiday atmosphere, capturing a warm moment of togetherness.

 

And today we went to see Caring Santa at the mall. In the first pic below, James is hanging out in the waiting area before he got to see Santa. It’s like a giant snow globe with fake snow falling from the ceiling.

 

James sits in a specialized wheelchair with orange and black supports, wearing a red shirt with a festive design and dark pants. The setting resembles a winter‑themed indoor display, with a frosty, snow‑textured floor, green lighting, and icy decorative structures in the background.

 

Santa Claus sits behind James in a wheelchair, wearing the classic red suit, white trim, and hat, holding a finger to the lips in a playful “shh” gesture. James, dressed in a red shirt with a colorful design, is supported by a specialized wheelchair with orange and black padding. Behind them is a winter backdrop with snow‑covered trees, creating a festive holiday scene.