Allllvvviiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnn a.k.a. Chipmunk Therapy

One of my fond memories from childhood is listening to a Chipmunk Christmas record at my grandparent’s home.

The rather obnoxious Christmas, Christmas Don’t Be Late song has come to be a favorite of mine. I play, sing and force my husband to listen to it each year when we cut our Christmas tree. It is a tradition, firmly entrenched into our holiday experience.

Several years ago during a very challenging time in my life as fate would have it, I happened upon the first of the new animated Chipmunk movies while it was on TV. This movie brought me wonderful joy and laughter at a time I needed it the most too.

These little critters are so real and the story lines and music are delightful. Yes, I am an obsessed fan. I own all three movies and sound tracks and have a collection of Chipmunk items proudly on display!

It has been good therapy for my soul to watch the movies and also to listen to their music and sing along. Alvin, Simon and Theodore make me laugh and frankly have gotten me through some really rough times. To the movie creators I am most grateful!

The holiday after my father died was a very hard one for my family.

We changed up or normal venue. My husband and I hosted family at our house.

It was an emotional experience for me when we went out to cut our tree. In tears I listened to that Chipmunk song as we drove home with it. I just could not open the boxes of ornaments we’ve collected over the yearsas it seemed way too emotionally heavy to do.

The tree sat for a week with only lights strung on it.

My favorite line in the Chipmunk movies comes in the first movie when my dear little Theodore spots a basket and jumps into it to escape from being trampled. He says: “Oooh muffins” in his cute little fill up my tummy way as he lands into a pile of them inside the basket.

I was given an inspirational idea after our tree sat naked for so long: adorn it in Chipmunk fashion. So, I baked up a batch of mini gingerbread muffins wrapped them up and hung them on the tree. I donned the tree top with a red construction paper star with a big yellow A in the middle and put my beanie baby Chipmunk and Chipette characters in the branches.

Going into the holiday I knew that is was important to keep the mood as light as possible.

My Chipmunk tree made me smile each time I looked at it rather than cry thinking of the absence of my dad that first holiday without him. My family smiled too.

To Alvin and the boys I owe much gratitude…Christmas wasn’t late last year nor was it only full of painful reminders of our loss.

What brings you smile therapy when you need it the most?