GRUMPY HOLIDAYS VIBES | FAMILY TIME

I Know What I’ll Do This Christmas

A Christmas This or That challenge

This is my answer to a ToT Christmas challenge created by Dranéa, after I read HAPPINESS + WEALTH’s answer to this challenge.

1. Stay home or at a Christmas destination on Christmas Day?

Stay at home, for sure. As a Grinch bear, I tend to hibernate most winters.

I mean, I love an occasional outing here and there or going to a Christmas fair and things like that, but nothing fancy and extreme like traveling too far from home.

It’s not like we’re piss poor, but I can’t help myself from not noticing the rising prices. The world after COVID has become too greedy.

We did not stay inside and took precautions against the virus just so people would rush out like cattle once the lockdown ended. And we certainly should not have gone through all that only to be met with more expenses on everything that involves outside activities.

I can afford stuff, but when I see the obnoxious prices, it just makes me angry and not want to purchase it. Whether it’s an item or a service.

This year, I’ll go to a Christmas fair with my two raccoons. My dear mother, Queen Ratatouille, was born in December, and she plans to drag us along with her during her birthday. Wish me luck in the battle with the prices.

Queen Ratatouille: Do you guys want something? Hot wine, or maybe some pie? It’s on me!

Me: Hmph! Not with these prices. Why don’t we make some at home?

King Ratatouille (with a pie in each hand and a donut in his mouth): Yeah, we should make some at home.

Me: Hey! Give me some!

2. Snow or sunny weather on Christmas Day?

Snow for sure. I hate sunny, cold weather. It just doesn’t make sense to be blinded by the sun while you’re freezing your ass off.

Hmm, or maybe this just meant warmer weather? Either way, I’ll still choose snow. That’s how Christmas is supposed to be. It’s funking winter after all.

This is the season for snow fights, the season in which pretty girls go back home after they’ve been mercilessly dragged through the snow. Ah, such good memories of youthful stupidity.

3. Artificial or real Christmas tree?

In this day and age, a small artificial one is all we need. Real ones cost a lot and are more messy.

Since none of us are children anymore and I’m still to bless my folks with grandchildren, there’s no need to go overboard with the Christmas tree.

4. Give or receive gifts on Christmas Day?

Neither, I have already expressed my twisted views about gifts in this article: I Might Sound Like the Grinch.

The greatest gift is to spend time with my folks, cooking and then eating Christmas meals. Family time is all I need during this time.

Every year we make homemade sausages. It’s like a family tradition for us. The only year we skipped this was when Grandma died in 2021. May she rest in peace.

5. Put up or take down the Christmas tree?

Putting up and decorating the Christmas tree is fun, no matter the age. I just went through that recently with my mother. I wrote all about it in this article: The Last Thing I Wanted to Do.

I might sound like a Grinch but I’m not an actual Grinch, per se. Christmas vibe is all about family shenanigans, which I enjoy.

Yesterday I stole some candy, and I was caught in the act by Mom.

Me: Accusations. Baseless accusations!

Mom 😑 while pointing at the undisposed wrappers.

Shit! I forgot to cover my tracks!

Today Mom was preparing to cook something light, dicing the veggies. Dad came to the kitchen to peel an orange during his movie break, and I went in to throw away some candy wrappers.

Mom: The last one to leave should close the kitchen door. I’m cooking over here.

Right as she said that, Dad and I smiled during a staring contest and then rushed to the door. What a shameless old man, engaging in such childish acts with his son. 🙄

He should know better. I managed to dash out first, so he had to close the door in the end. Flawless victory! ✌️

Original Challenge by Dranéa

The prompt answer by HAPPINESS + WEALTH ⭐:

Britt H., Susan Christiana, Dixie Dodd, NancyO, Lisa Guard, William Michael Williamson, Dave Gottlieb, Karen Schwartz, Katy Lin, Mariana Busarova, Lynn L. Alexander, Paula Shablo, Bruce Coulter, Jason Edmunds, Julia A. Keirns, TzeLin Sam, Sweet Honeylu, Tori Hall Sudduth, Jenny Gargarello, Shanti C K, Brenda Arledge, Johnny Poitras, Thomas Sturgeon Jr., Coralie Brébec, Sophia Tell- Stories 🤓📢🤓, Saeed Sobhani, The LARO ✨✨, Lea Bardot, Nancy Santos.