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I Miss Christmas

December 21st, 2012 at 05:12 am

I have plenty of good news; I'm halfway through my grading. I only have a few more gifts to buy. Unlike last year at this time, DH is pretty secure in his job. Our house is paid for. We're off to England soon. We're all healthy.

But I miss Christmas. Every year I have to get my head around the face that being so busy with the semester's end, we never get the Christmas I long for. I suspect it's a fantasy anyway--my mom worked like a maniac to make Christmas full of baking, parties, homemade gifts, gorgeous outfits, etc. I have box after box of Christmas decorations, old Martha Stewart Christmas magazines, but I rarely get even one-third of it out. The house is only sort-of decorated. The tree is up, my Swedish lights are in the window, but there are piles of papers to be graded, laundry to be done, and just plain stuff that needs putting away.

We JUST finished our Christmas letter, so I guess they can go out tomorrow. Maybe. Could someone send over either Santa's elves or the shoemaker's elves to help?

6 Responses to “I Miss Christmas”

  1. ceejay74 Says:
    1356070897

    Yeah, I could never do Christmas to the extent my mom does. Even without doing Christmas dinner anymore, nor cookies and handmade gifts, nor decorating as much as they used to, my parents do a prodigious amount of buying, wrapping and shipping gifts, sending cards, etc. It was basically my mom's full-time job the whole month of December, and she bought things throughout the year. We all helped with decorating, though. If your family members aren't really into the decorating, it would be hard to get it all up.

  2. snafu Says:
    1356073616

    Oops, no one told you a lot of what is marketed as Christmas joy is illusion, like commercials on TV, Disney Classic films and Martha Stewart. If you don't believe me, look at the scroll at the end of a Martha Stewart TV show or the list of people who put together those magazines.

    How many hours did your mom devote to baking, parties, outfits, decorating with all those boxes of ornaments? Realistically, you don't have time to devote to those projects. You've chosen to use time for different endeavours. If certain activities are imparative to you and family for happiness you could hire a firm who specializes in holiday decorating. The bakeries sell delicious cookies or try the option og bake-it-yourself readi-made cookie dough. DKs can have fun decorating either from a can of Betty C & a box of sprinkles.

    To accomplish these goals, you might need to use a different planner. My mom bought gifts whenever she saw something appropriate 12 months of the year. She stuck a piece of paper beneath the item to name the recipient subject to change, and stashed all in the cupboard under the stair. If sending your annual letter is a top priority,write most of it in July/August for example.

    Have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy the things that really matter. I suggest you throw out Martha Stewart magazines as they are not giving you joy.

  3. CB in the City Says:
    1356097889

    I've learned you can really enjoy the Christmas season in the little moments. I had one this morning, when I was driving to work, and drove through a lovely neighborhood that was beautifully lit-up but quiet and hushed in early morning, with a fresh sprinkling of the season's first snow. Last night I had another, when my grandson took the little Santa Cap off of a doll and put it on his "big" head. Too funny. That's where Christmas really is, not in all the hoopla.

  4. creditcardfree Says:
    1356101745

    Well said, CB. I agree. That you have to carve out the small moments because clearly life happens in the midst of the season. We all still have laundry and work.

    Pour a glass of wine after your DD goes to bed. Have your husband help wrap gifts with you...even if for 20 minutes. Put under the tree and turn off the lights and savor a couple of moments with only the tree lights. Then off to bed! Repeat if necessary. Smile
    We have done baking this year, but just one thing per week when we can fit it in. Not all of it has lasted or will be put out on fancy plates. We enjoyed the moment.

    It might be too late for this year, but shopping online was so helpful for me this year. I spent less time in the stores which helped make the season much calmer.

  5. My English Castle Says:
    1356103429

    You all are so nice. And ceejay is right, though my mom worked, she had the Swedish wackiness about Christmas. She made it her full-time job. Maybe I just miss her? Yeah, I suspect that's it. Milwaukee will never feel completely like home; despite the weather, I get very nostalgic for Minneapolis this time of year.

    CCF is right about the shopping. I did very little mall shopping. I ran out for a few things yesterday morning, and as much as I'd like to support small local bookstores, they had nothing on my list. I could've ordered them ahead, but three clicks of the mouse, and they'll arrive today or tomorrow.

    I had a lovely Manhattan last night while finishing one class's grades. And we got the Christmas letter printed. Here's to calm and bright!

  6. creditcardfree Says:
    1356113670

    ((Hugs)) and Merry Christmas!

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