Every year at this time I fantasize about being a different person: the person I imagine has all her shopping done, house (both inside and out) decorated in splendor, gorgeous Christmas cards in the mail, fun family gatherings arranged (with menus and themes, of course), and is now sitting in front of a lovely fire with a cup of spiced apple cider enjoying the festive lights on the mantel.
Then reality strikes: I have bought NOTHING. Not one gift. Na da. I have a measley string of lighted bells on one window. THAT is the extent of my decorating. Cards? We haven’t sent out cards in three years (good news: our card list has dwindled greatly). Am I the only person who gets more and more overwhelmed by the holidays every year? I’m starting to feel like the Grinch who sucks all the fun out of Christmas.Â
In an effort to stem the tide, I am posting a cute calendar that Michelle has on her blog. It is cute and festive, unlike my home at the moment.
I feel better already! Somehow every year I manage to get it all done — jingle bells, here I come! 😉
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Until 5 years ago, we used to be most decorated house in the area. Then we went down to one tree outside and one inside. This will be the second year when we’ll do absolutely nothing. But then again, we always go away … Vegas, here we come!
Comment by Marina — December 7, 2006 @ 9:09 am
It goes back to the expectations we put on ourselves, doesn’t it? I personally think it’s
way overdone. If you put up a tree, wrap a few gifts and have the people around you that are
meaningful in your life, it’s all good.
A little knitting doesn’t hurt either.
Comment by Lorraine — December 7, 2006 @ 9:31 am
Decorating?? When you get down to having a lovely skein of red yarn strewn over the ottoman with oh such flare….and calling it “all decked out”…let me know! 🙂
Comment by Michelle — December 7, 2006 @ 3:10 pm
From Susan — every flat surface in my home is “decked out” with yarn — in ALL colors (I do not discriminate!).
Comment by surly — December 7, 2006 @ 3:57 pm
You are not alone. I feel very put-upon and my Christmas spirit went south a few years ago. Maybe it’s part of the empty nest syndrome. How did I get to feeling so Grinchy?
Comment by Melanie — December 8, 2006 @ 12:25 am
I’m totally with you. Once upon a time, I used to go all out for Christmas. This year, I have Santa on the door and four Christmas cards signed, but not mailed–that’s it–I’m done.
Comment by Stephanie — December 8, 2006 @ 12:44 am
I’m always pretty Grinchy about Christmas until a couple of days beforehand. I don’t decorate all that much and my Christmas present list is pretty small. Maybe because my family is small, scattered and older? That’s what I tell people now, but I ‘ve never really been into it. One of my girlfriends brought me a tree the day before Christmas one year when she realized I wasn’t kidding about not getting one.
Comment by Carrie K — December 8, 2006 @ 6:45 pm
I’m so glad to hear I’m not the only one who gave up on Christmas a few years ago. I do the presents, we generally manage to produce, print, and send a Christmas letter (although it’s been a few years since we managed to get it out before Christmas), and our little family is all together. Maybe this year I’ll put up a tree. Yeah, that’s it. I’ll put up a tree and see if the decorating fairy comes. Sure hope s/he is more diligent than the dishwashing fairy. S/he hasn’t been here in months.
Comment by kmkat — December 9, 2006 @ 12:43 am