I had an unexpectedly great Christmas.

It was unexpected because I don't celebrate Christmas, and normally I hardly notice it passing but for my friends online wishing everyone happy holidays. However, this year, I've just moved in with my sister and her husband. And her husband celebrates Christmas with his family a few hours from where we live. I went along because, if nothing else, I could use the practice in getting over my social anxiety. (For those of you who have attended the last two RUs, you may have noticed that I don't tend to say, er... anything at all. I haven't been officially diagnosed or anything like that, but social interaction stresses me out and I really have no idea how to act.)

My sister's in-laws are really nice people, and it was only my brother-in-law's immediate family and an aunt and uncle who attended. We arrived Christmas Eve, a little late, but there was still food from dinner left and people up to talk to. Then we went to bed, and the next morning, it was opening presents time.

Never having sat in on a Christmas morning before, I was amazed at the sheer volume of presents. Opening the hyooj pile of gifts under the tree seemed to go on forever, and they weren't shabby either. Sister&husband had a stack o' DVDs by the time it was through, among other things. I even got a couple of presents, though I had already said ahead of time that I would prefer not to get anything (since I wasn't giving anything). Apparently the mother-in-law really loves giving things.

On the whole it was a very warm and caring experience. I was made to feel included, even though I had popped in at the last minute (they probably knew I was coming only a week or two in advance). I could not have eliminated the awkwardness I felt at not sharing the meaning of the holiday, but it was minimized as best as it could have been.

Mary "Hmm. Fat, you say? Dressed in red with a white beard? I believe he went that way, officers." am