I’m pretty sure one of the things that will be hardest to get used to here is the fact that it will be warm and sunny all holiday season. Now, I’m not complaining about that at all – that’s why we moved here, isn’t it? – it’s just that you have to constantly keep reminding yourself that it’s the holidays.
In the northland, you don’t really mind getting snow starting around Thanksgiving, provided it’s not in horrible-blizzard form. It looks nice, and it seems appropriate for the season. Once New Year’s rolls around, you’re done with cold and snow, because there’s no longer any use for it. There’s a reason we’ve always traveled in February – to remind ourselves that there are places in the world that don’t have to be freezing cold for half the year.
Thankfully, people here are really into celebrating. Everything, really, and that includes holidays. Entire buildings were decorated for Fantasy Fest, then Halloween, and now Christmas. They put up decorations at the seaport, and will be lighting them tonight. And since it’s the seaport, of course we have nautical-themed decor. There’s a lobster-trap Christmas tree, a tree in a boat, and a tree made of buoys. I love it.
We’ve already started Thanksgiving cooking, and will have a pretty traditional dinner tomorrow (since we both love leftovers). Then my plan is to put up the Christmas tree and lights. I’m excited about it, but I don’t think it’s going to do much more as far as helping me remember it’s the holidays.
When our plane lands in Minneapolis the Monday before Christmas and the frostbite starts to attack my limbs, then I’ll know.