re: 1 week to Christmas

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Age 40

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You gonna be the old dude at the playground.

61 years old--

Basically empty nest, the wife and I. Our two daughters have moved out, but they live in the same town and are over almost every other day for dinner or just hanging out, watching football games or movies on TV, etc.

Christmas season has become a huge logistical exercise for me, starting on the day after Thanksgiving when daughters come with me to pick out a tree. Then it's weeks of work:

-- lugging boxes of lights and decorations down from the attic
-- putting up lights and decorations outside
-- decorations all around inside the house-- lots of knick-knacks, stockings, etc.
-- putting the lights on the 10 ft. tree (approximately 20 strings)
-- putting the ornaments on the tree
-- doing the Christmas cards (design and print them myself) and mail them
-- buying presents
-- getting all the food and stuff and cooking it for Christmas Day (we host wife's side on Christmas Day)

Most of this is done by only one person-- ME. But I rather like the hustle and bustle, it keeps me busy. And it's worth it at the end to go outside with a cocktail and take a look at the lights on a cool night, or sit by the tree in the evening.

Then there's the non- "work" hectic part: parties to attend (2-3 work-related, 2-3 friends), going with the fam to see Celebration in the Oaks at City Park, catching the Christmas lights boat parade at West End, going to visit with family, etc.

Since 2010 we've always taken a holiday road trip between Christmas and New Year's, this year it's just daughter # 2 and I flying to Florida and catching an NHL hockey game and driving around sightseeing for a couple of days. I look forward to that the most-- week off from work and out of the house.

'Excitement level' seems a little strong for me; more like "interest" or "looking forward to" seems more appropriate, so:

9/10.

Glad to have off for two weeks but not really excited about Christmas itself. My wife's family usually goes on a trip between Christmas and New Years to spend time together but my sister-in-law is in hospice with cancer so can't travel and one of my kids is dealing with some health issues and can't travel. Kind of a rough time in my life at the moment.

Will get to see my father, his wife, my daughter and future son-in-law at our house so that will be fun.

4/10

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Seems to go down every year.

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You need to have little kids around. Just isn't the same when they get older.

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my sister-in-law is in hospice

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Look at it another way; she's still alive for this holiday season. Sorry, man.