Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Running behind this Christmas

I'm really struggling this year with Christmas shopping.  I have only a few thing purchased at this late date and limited time to get it done.  So, I asked my peeps for lists, but I only got ONE email from ONE person listing ONE item.  This is not helping the general feeling of seasonal blah I have.
I got on Etsy and Amazon today and ordered a couple of things for Mark with the symbol he has chosen for Highlands.  I also have a handmade item I will do for him, a new travel bag for his toiletries and some stocking stuffers.  But I guess I will have to put on my thinking cap and get creative with these folks.  Meanwhile, time is running out and I have many other things I need to be working on!  You know, I used to be so on top of Christmas.  I started my shopping weeks in advance, had the house all done up much earlier, had menus planned...we even had time for fun activities.  I'm still going to try to get it all accomplished.  It just feels like I am running behind.


Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Santa puked and I feel like doing the same

I feel like it took me forever to decorate for Christmas this year.  I even changed up the routine; Put only the main tree out after we returned from the tree farm.  Decorate it.  Sweep up. Relax. In years' past I tried to get it all done the day after Thanksgiving so we could all enjoy it as soon as possible and as long as possible.


But my new plan left all of the other stuff to do after I had already worked my 40 hour week:  The kids' tree, the mantel, the other odds and ends Christmas that goes up.  Christmas in just about every room - two trees, Christmas mugs, magnets on the fridge, mini trees in the china cabinet, decorated pillows, wreaths and pinecones...And I started stressing it.  Too much Christmas.
 

I just don't feel Christmas.  I haven't for the last three years or so.  I know that is bratty beyond belief - we have a beautiful home and it smells good and is clean, with indoor heat and plumbing, enough food in the fridge and freezer, clothes to wear.  I just dread the commercialism and materialism and stress the holidays bring.  I want to make it more meaningful.  Somehow, Santa doesn't do it for me.  And there are Santas and angels puking all over my house.


My daughter and I had a convo about it.
Me:  There is too damn much Christmas here.  I am toning it way down next year.  Going to give some of it to you to pretty up your place.
She: Christmas is good.
Me:  Yes.  But I feel stressed.  We own so much of it.  Every year I purge it.  Every year it seems to grow by itself!
She:  Oh that's no good.  I decorated my tree as I waited for the AT&T guy on Monday.
Me:  It's a lot to put up and take down.  We decorated the kids' tree and I. Am. Done.
She:  Santa puke is pretty.
Me:  Blergggggg



I mean, I love seeing all of the things that remind us of happier times, but maybe that's what's doing me in.  Seeing those things and realizing how different our lives are now.  It's not that our life is bad by any means, but there's something about having your kids grow up and the whole family, parents included, experience Christmas a lot differently.  And the reality is, all of the decor is just noise that drowns out the focus of the season itself anyway.
I need to relax a little and try not to stress it, I know.