Second Negative

Holiday Memories

This entry is part of an occasional series of articles written by Nicole, psychotic jingle singer, assistant editor, and live-in girlfriend. Follow her complete adventures in the Girl, Interrupted category.

Christmas is a kaleidoscope of memories. I grew up in Costa Mesa (that’s the O.C., biatch), where the average high in December is well into the 70’s. I don’t think of the mountains, but of the beach. I went to grandma’s house in a 6 horsepower Honda without so much as a coat. A lot of people drive through neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights, but when I was younger my parents would take me to Newport Harbor to watch big and small boats glide by, twinkling red, green, and white. We would ride the ferry and I’d stare at the gazebo across the water, covered in white lights.

As much as I avoid the mall now, I couldn’t wait to go to South Coast Plaza. Most shopping centers seem to have one designated area for Christmas bedazzlement, usually involving a red carpet, a Christmas tree, and a chair for Santa. South Coast Plaza became a winter wonderland with poinsettias wrapped around all the planters. Santa’s toyland was decorated with candy cane pillars, elves with coloring books, plates of sugar cookies to decorate, and blocks larger than small children. There was a cluster of Christmas trees 15-30 feet tall, each dressed in a different theme. I would stand at the foot of the largest tree for as long as my Mom would let me, watching the Lionel train weave in and out of the different tiers.

Across the street from the South Coast Plaza, there was the Crystal Court mall. Whenever we rode the shuttle bus between the two, I would cross my fingers that we would get to hear “Santa Baby”. One year my neighbor June, an elderly lady, took my friend Jessica and I to Crystal Court for breakfast with Santa. The stores hadn’t opened yet, and after breakfast we rode the glass elevator up and down several times until we were both laughing on the floor, and the hem of Jessica’s ruffled dress was up around her waist.

The best part of Christmas was always spent at home. Our family celebrated together on Christmas morning and again that evening. Christmas Eve was spent in anticipation. I always wanted to give Santa more cookies than my Mom would set out. I remember feeling like I was going to explode with excitement while lying in bed listening for the sound of reindeer hooves on the roof. I heard them on more than one occasion, but I shut my eyes tight so that I didn’t miss out on any presents. After we opened gifts from my parents and Santa, we would take a ten minute drive to my grandparent’s house. The adults would sip on champagne while the kids had the slightly less intoxicating O.J. My grandma would always have a box of See’s chocolates on a china buffet that rested against a mirrored wall where I could watch myself sneaking out dark chocolate molasses chips. Second best were the red and green M&M’s (peanut) that she kept in her candy dish on the coffee table.

I could probably go on forever, but I’ve been informed that brevity is not my strong suit. It’s nice to sit here and think about all those happy memories from holidays past. Although my immediate family is far away, these memories bring them closer to me. I’m fortunate that Greg’s family is so special and that they love me just as much as I love them. I hope that everyone out there has a wonderful holiday season. Merry Christmas!