Christmas Scales

So, now that Christmas is over, how would you rate yours?  I hope it was the fun, frantic, joyous, exhausting time it was for me.

Looking back on the day, I realize it’s really a month of days that build and build and build toward the “unveiling.” Along the way, the pressure to make everything perfect and fair to all the people I love also rises.

I’m still exhausted.. but happy.

Here’s my typical “Christmas Month:”

November:  Christmas?  That’s soooooooo far in the future. I have LOADS OF TIME to get great gifts, make awesome homemade goodies and plan a holiday party. I’m damn Martha Stewart.

Thanksgiving:  OK, I could still be Martha, but I guess I should start THINKING and making lists for Christmas. I should also bring down the decorations too.

Early December: Plan on mailing out Christmas cards. While I don’t actually mail them out, I feel self-righteous in my extreme organization.  Label everyone who has not sent me a card a slacker. Promise myself I’ll actually send my own cards out soon.

Mid-December:  Success! Buy one good gift for ONE of my children – and that’s about it. Everyone else, including the in-laws, spouse or the other son are SOL.

December 20:  The buying frenzy is in full force.  I spend days wandering like a zombie through stores buying all sorts of random crap in hopes lots of crap will add up to the one “good” gift…But alas, the nonsense and charges continue.

December 21: Last of the Christmas Cards goes out, former smugness is long gone, along with ideas of handmade gifts and a holiday party. I guess I am not Martha Stewart. Heck, the house is still a mess.

December 22: Husband informs me that he has the perfect gift for me – and a few other ones to boot. I consider running him over with my car, but abandon it as that would interfere with my shopping. Stay up to 2 am cleaning.

December 23: Get the boys off to school and then hide in my bedroom stacking children’s gifts on the bed, weigh the “balance” between the two.  Realize all but one (see mid-December) is a total crap purchase. Hit the stores again for some dollar-store “fillers” to paper of my sense of inadequacy.

December 24 am:  Mania sets in. I literally am tearing apart wrapping paper because I can’t find scissors.  And apparently, torn wrapping is the new vogue.  At least, that’s what I tell myself.  Out to the stores one more time in one more vain attempt to get the perfect gift.

December 24pm:  Guests have arrived and I’m plotting my one last run to the store… Somebody blow the whistle… I have to stop. Really.  I have to. 

I do.  I whole heartedly give up on trying to keep everything exactly equal.  I give up on finding the perfect gift. I give up all the pressure for everything.

I give in to making eye contact, listening to, and sharing stories with family and friends.  I have a drink, I overeat, and I laugh. It is all that Christmas should be.

And the perfect gift of the season: A Heated Toilet Seat! Yep that’s the “perfect gift” Phil was bragging about all month long…

Hope your holiday was merry. 

Click in the upper corner and follow to get columns sent regularly to you!  love.