You know those people who have the holiday all put together and fabulous? The ones with the house so nicely decorated with a themed tree, and the gifts purchased and wrapped well in advance, whose families smile beatifically from the lovely photocard? The ones who serve you perfected frosted sugar cookies and spiced cider during their charming holiday open house parties?
That is so not me. In a good year, I have mutant looking gingerbread men (tasty, but fugly) and maybe some decent port from my wine club shipment. I have a Charlie Brown-looking tree with unrecognizable clay blob ornaments that I made when I was in preschool mixed in with the Looney Tunes figures and the gazillion "World's Best Music Teacher" ornaments Hubby's kids have given him for the past 15 years. If I manage to get a picture of the kids all smiling at the camera and no one is wearing white athletic socks with their dress shoes, I consider it a monumental victory. In a good year, I'm online finishing my shopping on December 20th, and I'm wrapping the stocking stuffers on December 23rd.
This year, I can't even get myself to that level of preparation. This year, I'm scrambling for a day to take off to do my baking, since my marathon cookie and bread session is one of the few things that I really look forward to when getting ready for Christmas. I don't think cards are happening,and if they do get sent, they will just be signed and will not include cute photos (Princess missed picture day and the make up date altogether because of the hospital stays). The kids' teachers/special educators/counselors/aides will probably get a container of said baked goods, not the handknit scarves originally intended. We'll do the tree, since Hubby and the kids will pick one out, but it may get decorated gradually over the course of two weeks. Gift cards will abound, and I'm sure to be taking advantage of Amazon's rush shipping options. Stockings will be light, and the haul under the tree will be lighter than in previous years. There will be very little in the "unwrapping" realm, since I plan to drop everything into gift bags.
This year, having all five of us home and healthy is the best I can hope for. Having a sane, relaxed or calm experience will be considered a Christmas miracle.
That is so not me. In a good year, I have mutant looking gingerbread men (tasty, but fugly) and maybe some decent port from my wine club shipment. I have a Charlie Brown-looking tree with unrecognizable clay blob ornaments that I made when I was in preschool mixed in with the Looney Tunes figures and the gazillion "World's Best Music Teacher" ornaments Hubby's kids have given him for the past 15 years. If I manage to get a picture of the kids all smiling at the camera and no one is wearing white athletic socks with their dress shoes, I consider it a monumental victory. In a good year, I'm online finishing my shopping on December 20th, and I'm wrapping the stocking stuffers on December 23rd.
This year, I can't even get myself to that level of preparation. This year, I'm scrambling for a day to take off to do my baking, since my marathon cookie and bread session is one of the few things that I really look forward to when getting ready for Christmas. I don't think cards are happening,and if they do get sent, they will just be signed and will not include cute photos (Princess missed picture day and the make up date altogether because of the hospital stays). The kids' teachers/special educators/counselors/aides will probably get a container of said baked goods, not the handknit scarves originally intended. We'll do the tree, since Hubby and the kids will pick one out, but it may get decorated gradually over the course of two weeks. Gift cards will abound, and I'm sure to be taking advantage of Amazon's rush shipping options. Stockings will be light, and the haul under the tree will be lighter than in previous years. There will be very little in the "unwrapping" realm, since I plan to drop everything into gift bags.
This year, having all five of us home and healthy is the best I can hope for. Having a sane, relaxed or calm experience will be considered a Christmas miracle.
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