How do you spend Christmas with your birds? They don’t really understand this tradition and don’t get the stocking thing under the TV at all. (I live in Florida. If I want “Fireplace Smell” I use a ceramic ring for oils on a light bulb.) I know about explaining Christmas to them because I’ve tried. They seem semi-interested until Bill begins rattling around in the kitchen and that is cause for ignoring me and taking great interest in what’s going on in the kitchen.
In the past, I’ve hung their monogramed stockings with care under the TV hoping Santa would give a damn. He did because he inspired me to fill those freakin’ stockings with crap I thought they’d like. They did. They liked the dinner. They liked the cool food. The liked the added attention. The even seemed to like “A Christmas Story” over and over. (And over.)
But over the years, I’ve realized something. December 25th is just that to them. Another day in the year. I think to them, Christmas should be every day. And of course we really do give them gifts on Christmas because it makes us feel festive. We like to include them in our Christmas Traditions and it truly only is right that as members of our family that they share in the traditions. My tradition for the last 25 years or so has been to work on Christmas. Not because I particularly want to, but because that’s what you get when you throw in with an airline. They issue you a flammable uniform and you proceed to strap yourself into a jump seat in a tube with engines on either side and fuel tanks that hold 11,500 gallons of highly flammable jet fuel for the rest of your career. They never promised you a rose garden. And they never promised you holidays off either. So off I went to fly. On Christmas, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Easter, it didn’t matter. Somebody needed to go somewhere. And it’s usually a lot of somebodies. So I flew.
Christmas Party for Flight Attendants That’s Stephanie!
And it’s a trade-off. I know it’s a trade-off, because it’s one I gladly made instead of living a normal life in which I would have quietly gone nuts. Now to me, working on a holiday is quite normal. Working weekends is normal. So we have had to adjust to this slightly off center way of life and work around it. When I was growing up, Christmas Day was no big deal. Christmas Eve was the Primo moment because Santa Claus came to the front door with the gifts. When other kids in school asked me what Santa left under the tree for me, I’d tell them he didn’t do that at our house. At our house, Santa delivered. I figured it was because we didn’t have a fireplace. And now of course, Christmas looks a little different where I live:
Whatever your Christmas or other holiday traditions are, you can make it even more special to you and your animal family by including your animal companions in them. People might say, “They don’t know the difference!”
But they will if you include them. They will if they get a special treat. They will if they get more one-on-one time with you. To them, that’s really special. You might think they wouldn’t know or wouldn’t care. But they do care. They notice more than we realize. And they appreciate the treat or the time. Occasionally, it’s the little things that mean the most.
As the Holiday commences, and the crazed shopping winds down, my schedule ramps up. But during those times when I’m at home, I will be spending those extra minutes with each of my birds, just so they know that not only is this a special time of year; but they are special to me. And that makes all the difference. Happy Holidays, everyone. And thank you.
December 23, 2011 at 9:39 am
Great post! We included the dog, and the cat (when we had one) in our gift giving. Also, that feather with the painting on it is straight brilliant.
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December 23, 2011 at 10:50 am
Santa will be visiting the Parrot Garden on Christmas morning. Each bird has a present to unwrap (no tape….just twine). They will get a special spice/fruit cake for breakfast and get the fun of tearing up wrapping paper to reveal thier new toy. We have been stock-piling toys for the last month, and have received some incredible donations. We will have a lot of happy birds here on Christmas!
Patricia – Merry Christmas to you and your three wonderful birds. I can’t wait to see you in January!
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December 23, 2011 at 11:27 am
I can’t wait to see you too! It’s been too long kiddo. Have a wonderful Christmas and terrific New Year!
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December 23, 2011 at 12:26 pm
I think we humans do get a bigger thrill out of the special Christmas toys we get for our birds (or other family animals) than the normal-day new toys. I have an IRN parrot who will put her head in her stocking to pull her toys and nutriberries out, a TAG who will lift the stocking upside down and shake it to dump her toys out, and two conures who let me do the heavy lifting of dragging the toys out to expose them. Overall, it’s mayhem and fun, and all that extra attention on their happiness is good for MY soul.
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December 23, 2011 at 12:59 pm
I really love to see more people loving and caring for all animals. God bless you and Merry Christmas..
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December 23, 2011 at 10:27 pm
Happy Holidays to you, too. Hope you get some time to relax. And wishing you a “squawky” New Year! 🙂
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December 24, 2011 at 10:20 pm
Jezebelle Francesca (my dog) has her own stocking that I made that hangs with the rest of the family. She gets special treats and toys……..and, if its not too cold, a special Christmas Day morning walk……..
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December 27, 2011 at 10:26 am
My African Grey, Earl, got a parrot-shaped pinata for Christmas which he watched me stuff with shredded paper and treats. He then proceeded to disembowel it with great relish. The tiels got some hanging toys with chewy stuff and little bells on them which were much appreciated. Earl loved the chaos of having company over and the tiels seranaded us during supper with a wonderful whistling duet–their version of “Joy to the World” I think. Everyone got extra out-of-the-cage time as we chilled in our jammies and bathrobes on the holiday morning. People had cinnamon rolls and birds got Avi-cakes! Do they “get” Christmas? Sure they do!
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