169. The Christmas Obsession

This Okay listener’s mother is Christmas incarnate, and shares her love for the season every day with her daughter.

Transcripts may not appear in their final version and are subject to change.

INTRO MUSIC

STANDARD INTRO

Okay Listener Email: For as long as I can remember, my mom Ellen has been obsessed with Christmas. She always waits until after my birthday on November 25th to break out her obsession. But once it’s passed, my moms all in. Hauling giant storage containers up from her basement with everything from dancing figurines to decorative soap for the occasion (and no, the soap isn’t for you to use, are you insane?! It’s been around for so long it’d likely burn your skin off). She takes the 90s hanging flower baskets off the wall and replaces them with decorative Santa figurines. The cups and mugs in the kitchen are quickly swapped to festive favourites. There’s cling-on stickers for windows, and three dancing figurines that sit on top of the TV stand. Without fail, there’s a Christmas playlist going nearly every day. Eat, sleep, breathe Christmas.

In 2014 I moved about 1400 miles from home, the cost of flying at Christmas time has made time at home something that can happen every other year. But I get that video call when things are getting set up, and a photo of the Christmas tree when it’s decorated. The tree is not something you’d see out of a catalog, it’s filled with homemade decor and various ornaments we’ve collected over the years. It truly captures who are family is. 

I worried what Christmas would be like when my Dad passed away in 2018. Would the most wonderful time of the year become one where it was pain-stakingly evident that he wasn’t around? Of course it did, and of course it still does. But what reminds me it’s going to be okay, is the Christmas Outfit of the Day photos I receive.

It started with my mom sending selfies of her Christmas outfit and explaining the earrings or design on her shirt. She doesn’t take photos of herself often, so they’re not always the best photos. But without fail, every day, I look forward to the notification there’s been an image sent from mom. I started to share these with my two best friends,who love my mom as much as me. 

The Christmas obsession doesn’t stop within the home; she literally wears it proudly throughout the month of December. There’s earrings, necklaces, headbands, sweaters, and t-shirts that enter into a daily rotation. Every day there’s a new outfit, and every day in December, I look forward to seeing one of my mom’s selfies pop up on my phone. She’s not one to take photos of herself, but without fail, every day in December, I get one.

I started to share these photos with my two closest friends who live back home because I found it absolutely adorable the pride my mom took in her outfits. To paint a picture of Ellen’s love of Christmas clothes: she was offended when Walmart introduced “Ugly” Christmas sweaters because they were JUST Christmas sweaters and not ugly at all. My friends love a good Ellen story, and a good Ellen selfie. But what makes this even sweeter is the Christmas outfit-sharing spread like the Grinch’s heart grew to all three of us joining in with daily photos. My mom had a compliment for each of us, unique to our outfit.

Christmas Flamingo? I’ve never seen that!

Penguins?! I love them!

I like how your earrings match your shirt today!

And as I shared this story with more friends, more people wanted to send me photos of their Christmas outfits to share with my mom. And every photo, received a compliment back for me to share with the people who want to spread Christmas Cheer to her.

December still has its hard moments. But the twinkle of lights that reminds me everything is going to be okay is the joy I get from receiving, sharing, and joining in on Christmas outfits of the day with my mom and friends. I’m already looking forward to this year, because while I cannot be home for Christmas this year, you can count on me to ensure the cheer is spread, one selfie at a time.

I hope everyone finds their Ellen this holiday season, and remember, it’s really going to be okay.

OUTRO MUSIC

CREDITS