Traditionally, one of my best things is Christmas. I practically make a hobby out of it every year and you’d think that this year would be no exception, but I am not really feeling it just yet. Last year I think I leaned really hard into the whole Covid holiday theme, really busted a move trying to make everything as good as it could be even though we couldn’t gather. I dropped off gingerbread to everyone who usually comes to the Gingerbread Party so we could do it over Zoom – we had backyard visits and distanced everything and I mailed cards and ornaments to feel close to people we couldn’t see and it wasn’t the way things should be, but it was a strange and terrible year, so it felt like I met expectations because frankly, nobody had any.

This year I thought about doing all those things but when I imagine spearheading the whole thing I just feel… exhausted. Anyone else? When I think about finding creative and novel ways to show people I love them when I can’t be with them… I am just so tired. All of this is compounded by the way that some people can gather more than we’re able to – so dropping of the kit for a virtual party when they’re on their way to a (very small) in-person one feels silly. I’m really super grateful that (so far screw you Omicron) we can gather more than we were able to last year. There will be one or two more people around our table and I’m working towards celebrating that as much as I can. To that end, I decided to shift into high gear and fake it until I make it.

The tree is up, I’m working the spreadsheet and making reindeer themed pancakes and going for walks to count the Christmas lights and today I gathered up everything I intend to knit before Christmas to try and scare myself into the festive spirit.

It is a big pile and perhaps the spirit of Christmas dwells within me yet because I look at that pile and I feel hope.

In that pile: A few twinkle stars (this number may grow. I am oddly obsessed and can’t predict where it ends.) A sweater for Ellie that’s about a third done, my advent socks (I got the 24 stripe set from The Cozy Knitter). Four pairs of large men’s socks, none started. One hat, almost done, and a super large Sea Ink. (Rav link) That behemoth is about halfway done.

Oddly, looking at that pile, I am unconcerned. I don’t know whether it’s because I feel like I have loads of time, or because a few of those pairs of socks are optional – kinda, or if it’s because it doesn’t quite feel like Christmas yet.

I’m going to buckle down and get to knitting in earnest and see if that makes me feel a lot more festive. Nothing like a Christmas deadline to get your bells jingling. How about you? Anything making this second Covid Christmas feel great to you? I’m open to suggestions.