Let's Go Get a Christmas Tree
...and a book (it's all about the experiences)
Here’s a story from the weekend:
I need to learn to draw faces. And draw in general1. The point is, we had an EXPERIENCE!
Good or bad, this is what I tell myself: Everything is either a good time - or a good story.
Hike the mountains, sled down the hills, jump in the lake, cut down the Christmas tree. The complaining and sighing in the backseat is a ruse, something the cherubs are obligated to do, but they will appreciate all the experiences long after they’ve forgotten about being inconvenienced, tired, and always starving. It’s what my siblings are still talking about - those experiences together in the old station wagon with no air conditioning.
books are also experiences.
Every year for Christmas, my mother gives all of her children and grandchildren a book. It’s become a favorite tradition of my own: carefully musing and choosing book(s) for each family member and then watching each person open their wrapped book, holding my breath for their (hopefully) gleeful reaction.
When we give someone a book, we’re sharing an experience with them. A story we have loved, that will transport the next reader to a different setting, plot, a world full of characters they did not know before. A loved book is its own amazing experience.
A Gift Guide for Book Lovers Here.
I love what author and teacher
recently wrote:When given a chance, readers will find each other.
When given time to read, kids will fall in love with books.
When kids are surrounded by great books to read, they will read them.
When we read aloud to them, they will fall in love with story.
I hope I always remember the day we cut down the tree together, carried it home, and laughed a lot (while also reminding the teens that when they drive a car, they should fill it up…okay mom and dad…) and if there’s ever a day that I don’t remember - well, the kids might. And at least I wrote about it and drew some pictures…
Happy December. May it be filled with joyful experiences - and many many books.
Amy <3
Tell me something good…are you having experiences or loving a book?
The Last Part:
Giving: HERE’S a giveaway for my three great books going on right now!
Watching: A Man on the Inside with Ted Danson. I rarely watch comedies, but this makes me happy.
Watched: Wicked. Does it live up the hype? Yes, yes, a hundred times yes. It is so good! Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey. WOW.
Eating: Please save me from the leftover Thanksgiving pie. Too late! I ate it all.
Smelling: Snow! New Hampshire is blanketed in white.
Reading: Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout. Quite possibly my favorite living writer. And the Substack .
Read With Me:
The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair is part-mystery, part understanding of the human heart 💖
Ten Thousand Tries is Golden’s quest to save his dad and the soccer team ⚽
The McNifficents is one summer with six rambunctious kids and their miniature-schnauzer nanny 🐕 New Hampshire’s 2024 Great Reads for Kids selection!
a year-long Skillshare membership is 50% off for cyber Monday…maybe it’s still going?!
Happy December! I need to remember this about experiences this time of year, instead of panicking/freaking out/grouching about all that I need to do and haven’t yet gotten done…
I am all too familiar with this state of teen angst over any forced fun. Thanks for the reminder to do it anyway! Currently reading Finding Margaret Fuller and it is just the escape I need.