Enjoying the Book Blogger Holiday Swap
This is my first year taking part in the Book Blogger Holiday Swap–and I’m so glad I did!
I was opening up two packages, hoping that the gifts I’d ordered for the people I love had arrived in time–and one of the packages was gift wrapped on the inside. I thought–’That’s strange. Oh, no–did the gift I bought for Julie get sent to me instead?’ Which could have happened, since I’d paid by PayPal and that has my address on it, and… You see how writers try to make sense of the world through story? (laughing) Actually, I think we all do that.
Any way, I ended up tearing open the package, to find a card addressed to me on top, and then, ohhhh, some sugarless chocolate (a yummy brand), and I spotted a kids’ book I’ve been wanting beneath. I shut the package fast, taped up the package, put it aside for Dec 25–and felt a happy, warm, delicious glow. Thank you so much, Elizabeth–raidergirl13! (hugging you)
Usually Christmas is a bit of a down time for me. I don’t have bio family to spend it with, and my friends who I consider family live too far away for me to celebrate in person with, or are busy with their own celebrations. I, er, buy myself gifts for the holiday–but that means (unless I forget in between) that I know what they are. And, too, a lot of abuse occurred for me in the holidays, growing up, so sometimes sadness or pain creeps in. There’s also a lot of pressure from movies, TV shows, stores, the media, to have it be a family, fun-filled, warm holiday. It can be a lonely or hard time for many people (myself included).
BUT I’ve been trying to change my view of the holiday, and to just have fun–and this year, I’m succeeding. Listening to the few holiday songs that actually make me feel good, baking a few sugarless holiday sweets, ahem, over-indulging in sugarless chocolate–and trying not to work myself too hard.
Elizabeth’s gift, and the Holiday Book Blogger Swap–really added to this sense of fun, of lightness, of caring. Thank you, Elizabeth and the Holiday Book Blogger Swap! I love it!
So–what are you doing this holiday season to take care of yourself, and to make things easier?
December 9th, 2009 at 11:46 am
I’m glad Elizabeth made your holidays better! I hope you have a great time this year.
December 9th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
[...] See the article here: Cheryl Rainfield: » Enjoying the Book Blogger Holiday Swap [...]
December 9th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Thanks, Nymeth.
Elizabeth really did! I think it will be good this year, or at least better than it ever has been. I’m actually not minding, sometimes even enjoying, some of the Christmas music. 
December 9th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I’m so glad everything arrived, and that it was the right kind of chocolate. You are a better person than me to put that present opening off until later. I would have ripped right into it.
Your welcome, and Merry Christmas!
(I lucked out on that kid’s book, because we had that book here in the house, so, shh, don’t tell my kids!)
December 9th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
I’m so glad it arrived, too! (grinning) Thank you, Elizabeth! (hugging you) It was such fun to get in the mail, and I know I’m going to enjoy opening it on Christmas! You picked beautifully.
I’m very glad you had that book around.
I hope your Christmas is a good one.
December 11th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
The same thing happened to me – a box from Amazon was delivered and I opened it to find a couple of wrapped gifts. I’d forgotten about the Holiday Swap so it took a few seconds for it to sink in, lol.
Enjoy your gifts!
December 11th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Yeah, it’s fun, isn’t it, Mary? (grinning) Glad you had a surprise, too.