Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Childhood and Christmas
 This year I'm seeing a definite trend - those who have been saying for years they're going to cut back on the unnecessary at Christmas have truly meant it. There's also a significant trend toward the handmade - making simple things for those you love.
For the first time in history, I haven't even started my Christmas shopping, normally I would be long done by now, but with work and commitments, I haven't been outside of my own store - which is fine, I have actually stocked up on a few things for my kids, and I've definitely been part taking of the handmade trend, but there are some things: like shoes for Scotian - that I just can't make or buy at Nurtured.
 My kids are getting older. In fact, today I discovered a long-lost video of Spunky when he just had begun walking, and I nearly teared up at how my babies aren't babies anymore. How did this happen so quickly? My transition from mom-of-one to mom-of-two-plus-business to mom-of-two-plus-two-businesses has made life a bit of a (self-imposed) blur, and it hasn't been easy. BananaMuffin starts school this fall, both of my kids are fully toilet trained; it just happened so fast! BananaMuffin can write her name, she can write out any word that I spell for her. She no longer fits into toddler sizes but is wearing size 5 and 6. Oh my goodness!
But I absolutely LOVE the stage we're in now, the kids are playing SO well together, playing pretend, playing outside in the backyard, keeping each other busy. They're also now taking in the influences from outside. Case in point - All BananaMuffin wants for Christmas is Hungry Hungry Hippos. This is also what she wanted last year but I thought marbles and a toddler (Spunky) might be lethal.
They're excited about Santa, excited about family coming for Christmas Dinner, and excited to spend time together.
My childhood Christmases were magical. Santa was VERY generous, and my family was quite close knit. There are many Christmases that ended in a sing-along in my Grandparent's "New Room", the addition that held the piano, with my grandfather playing the piano, uncles and cousins playing guitar, and those of us without mastery of any musical instrument: the spoons. Yellow Submarine by the Beatles was a popular tune as all three generations knew the words. Those are some of my favourite memories. Or taking a walk on Christmas night with my family after we'd gotten home from the big "do", when it was so calm and the snow was falling gently. Believe me, on the Tantramar Marsh having NO wind is very, very rare indeed.
Over the years, we've lost a few family members - some have passed on, some live too far away to make it home every year, some (like myself) choose to spend Christmas in our "adopted" cities with our own immediate family. Those get-togethers don't happen the way they used to. On the positive side, however, Scotian has been brushing up on his Billy Joel classics at the piano, complete with harmonica, so it may be time to revive the old tradition (Dad, brush up on your singing and bring your guitar skills).
After a lot of thought about family, the store, life in general, we've decided to close the store between Christmas and New Year's. The Nurtured staff work really, really hard every day, and they are all moms to young children as well. We are a family business and I believe that taking some time to enjoy family is much more important than a Boxing Day sale, which is why we're extending our sale to you now! Everyone we've talked to about this has been extremely understanding, and I want to thank you all so much, from the bottom of my heart, for all the support you've shown this little business that started from my dining room table back in 2006, and which now contributes to the lives and incomes of 7 families. It shows that there is room for change in the world.
I'm touched every day by the friendships I've forged with many of you, and I feel so privileged to be witnessing the birth of second and third babies among some of you who have been long-time loyal customers.
Thank you, and I hope you enjoy the magic of Christmas and the wonder of childhood this Holiday Season.
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