December is hands down my favorite month. It’s like a marathon of festive preparation that starts as soon as the calendar flips. In the Netherlands, tradition dictates waiting until December 6th—after Sinterklaas (who, I should clarify, has nothing to do with Christmas here) hops on his steam boat back to Spain—before putting up the Christmas tree. But traditions are more like guidelines, right? So, riding the festive high from a winter fair visit, our tree and its glittery entourage made their grand entrance on December 2nd.
Along with the tree comes the Elf on the Shelf. You know, the little tattletale who spies on your household and reports back to Santa. Traditionally for kids, but apparently, I’m on their list too. Three elves visit me annually—though calling The Grinch an “elf” feels like a stretch. He’s joined by Holly and Ivy, a mischievous duo who seem to think mayhem is a Christmas miracle. Honestly, I suspect a larger “elf” (with human-sized hands) helps them with their antics.
This year, they outdid themselves: rainbow Skittle experiments, and “crappy” poems on toilet paper rolls. Yes, my toilet paper became an art exhibit. Needless to say, I’m not using those rolls anymore; they’re collectibles now! Every morning is a new scavenger hunt, and I film their antics for YouTube. Some people think a legally blind person playing hide-and-seek with elves is cruel. Spoiler: it’s not. It’s comedy gold—for me, the elves’ co-conspirator, and my viewers. You can catch the 2024 Elf Shenanigans online if you need a laugh.
Regular Life: Or as Close as It Gets
Of course, December wasn’t all chaos. There were live streams, weekly visits to the day center, FaceTime sessions with Emily, Skype chats with Dad, and even some Discord gaming banter. Oh, and one notable medical appointment at Bartiméus, where I’ll soon get support to better manage my visual impairment. New skills, new confidence—I’m pumped for this!
Pizza, Ice Cream, and Laughs
December 19th marked the annual day center Christmas outing. While the afternoon snacks and games sounded like sensory overload, I joined the group for dinner at Mama Mia, a cozy pizza restaurant. I ordered a pepperoni pizza the size of a small planet and managed to devour most of it. Others boxed up their leftovers, but I powered through. Dessert was a mixed bag—some opted for coffee, while others spent so much time stirring their ice cream it turned into milkshake. That didn’t exactly scream “high-quality dessert,” but the evening was filled with laughter, so no complaints here!
Christmas Eve: Plushy Pals and Traditions
Christmas Eve was a low-key but heartwarming affair. Jessica and I exchanged one gift each before settling in to watch All You Need Is Love: The Christmas Special, our yearly tradition. My gift? Pringle the plush penguin and Mr. Maple, a mini plush guide dog, now my official desk buddies and gaming cheerleaders. Thanks, Jessy—you nailed it!
Christmas: Dancing Dogs and Double the Fun
First Christmas Day (yes, there’s more than one in the Netherlands) was family time at our brother’s house. Between gift exchanges, dancing to Christmas tunes with Mom’s dog Bailey, and indulging in a delicious dinner, it was a perfect day. We even managed a family photo.
Second Christmas Day took us to the theater for a performance by three male choirs, including the Flevo Mannenkoor. They sang everything from Christmas classics to a surprisingly excellent rendition of Baba Yetu (a Swahili song I was skeptical they could pull off—but they crushed it).
Wrapping Up the Year
On the Saturday before New Year’s, our cousin came to visit. He helped me assemble my new gaming desk while Jessica de-Christmased the house. Dinner and dessert capped off the visit, proving once again that food is the universal language of joy.
New Year’s Eve was a laid-back mix of cake (Jessica’s healthy recipe was so good I had an extra large slice), snacks, and a failed live stream courtesy of crashing software. But we didn’t let that ruin the vibe. Snacks in hand, I gamed while Jessica worked on her laptop, and we welcomed 2025 with fireworks lighting up the street.
Looking Ahead
And just like that, another year wrapped up with laughter, love, and a bit of chaos. 2024 was incredible, and I’m ready to dive into 2025 with the same energy. Stick around—there’s more fun, mischief, and stories coming your way!
Blog written by CJ. Edited with ChatGPT
CRS Life 