December 2020

L.L. Bean aired a commercial a couple years ago that is still one of my favorites.  It starts with a family decorating the tree and hanging their stockings by the fire before leaving cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas Eve.  They wake up to find there are no presents under the tree and the decorations are gone.  They search everywhere and eventually find the tree and presents outside in a perfect winter scene.  This year I thought that if I moved the entire celebration outside, it could be just like every other Christmas.  I started following the long-range forecast weeks ago. Both Christmas Eve and Christmas day were forecast to be in the 40s, perfectly seasonal weather for a nice midday meal and celebration outside!  I arranged separate seating for each family, where the tree would go and even how it would be decorated.  I planned a meal and appetizers that could easily be served outdoors.  There would be endless hot cocoa and Christmas music by the firepit, and patio heaters would keep everyone cozy and warm.  I bought centerpieces that would look great outside and provide just the right pop of color against my new festive tablecloths.  I thought of every detail and I was so excited that we could salvage Christmas and then, little by little, the plan started to fall apart.  The rosy long-range forecast didn't look quite so rosy as the days inched forward.  Then, some family members expressed their hesitation about dining outdoors with toddlers.  I was devastated.  What about my beautiful tree and impeccably arranged tables with cute boxwood centerpieces or my hot cocoa bar and perfectly curated Christmas playlist?  I tried to hang onto hope that I could make it work even if not everyone wanted to come.  Then, the forecast grew increasingly worse calling for heavy rain and wind and the last hope I held onto for an outdoor Christmas was washed away.  Literally.  My plan and all its iterations and eventual cancelation are a microcosm of 2020 in many ways with plans changed and hopes dashed.  It sucks.  I wish you could see the vision I had for my backyard. It was going to be part L.L Bean commercial part Hallmark movie and it was going to be amazing. . .

I have been hosting Christmas since 2005.  It was pretty much a train wreck in our tiny apartment crowded with people that first year.   I had never cooked a meal for so many people and for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to prepare the whole thing that day while everyone was in the living room waiting. That first year I learned about the importance of advance preparation.  Every year brings a new lesson and 2020 is no different.  I guess after 15 years I'm pretty set in my ways and tend to think that everything is always going to go my way. It’s not.  I'm learning to adapt and accept this year for what it is, imperfect though it may be.  I hope that you and yours will do the same.  Merry Christmas!