Christmas is really over

"Keep Christmas in you heart all year long."

"Why can't we have Christmas everyday?" 

"Do they know it's Christmas time at all?"

 These sentiments are pounded into our heads since I can't even remember.  But there is a certain time for Christmas and then it is over.  And at our house it starts, I mean really starts, when Brent brings home the Big cans of Velvet Cream Popcorn.  2, count them two (for you analog people) cans of V-E-L-V-E-T Cream Popcorn.                    

  Inside each can is three distinctly different flavors, Butter, Cheese and Carmel.  (or what ever your personal choice may be.)

 

The day arrives and we gather around Brent as he carries the cans into the house.  Sometimes the children rush out to meet him at the car carols bursting from their hearts as he gently hands them each a can to carry.  There is electricity in the air and we hold our breath as he pulls the tape off the top of the can and slowly opens one.  The aroma fills the house with the smell that marks the beginning of Christmas.  We allow Brent to take the first handful and then it's every man for himself. 

The date doesn't matter.  It could be after Halloween or after Thanksgiving but you can't stop Christmas  when it's out of the can.

 

Crunching and munching sings through the house and Christmas is officially on!  The decorations come out of storage and fling themselves through out the house as we sit and enjoy our popcorn.  The Tree magically appears fully decorated and we ooh and aah as the glow from the lights illuminate each and every ornament perfectly. 

Friends, dressed as Dickens characters

 (of course),come from all over for Christmas parties and  holiday festivities.  And the can's content dwindles.  When that last little crumb has been scooped into a hand and popped into a mouth there is a moment of silence for the "dead can" and more jubilation when it's realized there is another can waiting to be released into the celebration. 

The season deepens and the actual "Day" comes and goes.   The decorations disappear and the tree is taken for recycling, New Year's eve and Day and birthday's of loved ones are celebrated and yet the popcorn can seems bottomless.  Can the joy of Christmas really last all year?

 I am sadden to report that this week the last of the popcorn crumbs willingly have been enjoyed and ingested.  Christmas has officially ended at the Ince household.  Thanks to those of you have helped us celebrate and those of you who could not attend but have sent well wishes.  We think of you often as the 

cans are cleaned and stored  in the promise that we will do it all again next year.

God bless us everyone.