It’s the Most Wonderful Time of Year…… Right?
I love Christmas.
Always have, and always will. And I give my Mom a lot of credit for that because she made Christmas magical and special for my brothers and I when we were children.
But, man. It is really hard to get through December without completely losing it.
My holiday season began before Thanksgiving with a professional photo session. Our lovely blended family has never had professional photos taken before, and I wanted some great pictures for our Christmas card. Our session was scheduled for around 1 PM on a Saturday at a park that is a 5 minute drive from our house, and the sun came out right before we arrived. I asked everyone to wear something nice, brush their hair and teeth, and be ready to smile for about 15 minutes.
Readers – based upon how my husband and sons reacted to this simple request – you would have though that I was asking them to kneel on glass or run through fire.
So while I ended up with the photos that I wanted, don’t let them fool you.
Half of us were miserable showing up…. Which begs the question if being in the holiday spirit is gender specific?
Do my daughter and stepdaughter already recognize that I make the holiday happen for everyone, and it is their job to just smile for the photo?
Year after year, I tell myself that I have plenty of time.
Decorate the tree.
Put up the outside lights.
Order, address and send the cards.
Move Rusty the Elf every night.
Change the countdown to Christmas calendar every day.
Teach the children the value of giving back by having them select toys or other items and donating them for a family in need. And make sure they really get it. Because they need to know how important it is to give to those in need especially when they have more than enough. And I often feel fully responsible for their character development.
Bake. Because I enjoy it and also – without fail – I always sign up for a cookie exchange.
Buy the gifts. For everyone. Strive to have that one gift that each child is thoroughly surprised by.
And then wrap them.
Mail the gifts that need to get somewhere on time.
Attend the parties and try to enjoy the moment.
Coordinate the teachers’ gifts. Because if anyone deserves a gift, it is them.
Spray paint 24 mason jars on the inside with glitter paint for the 2nd grade winter party.
Make sure that the kids have gifts for their coaches and have what they need for their holiday parties and activities.
Do something special for the people that I work with every day. They deserve to feel appreciated.
And also try to take care of myself. News flash – my hair is gray at the roots and it is showing – badly. And I was just diagnosed with a ganglion cyst on the inside of my wrist that needs to be surgically removed and also tennis elbow this morning. I don’t even play tennis!
Is this really what it takes to make the season merry and bright for my beloved family?
Ultimately – deep down and in my heart of hearts – I know what it is all for. And it will be more than worth it.
Our children truly enjoy being with us and sharing experiences. And the gifts will be special, but it is the time that we will have together that will be what they remember. I have learned in this last year the immeasurable value of making one on one time with the kids. It is priceless.
We are all healthy and happy, and we will enjoy Christmas with our extended families as well. How lucky am I to have another Christmas with my 94 year old Grandma?
So to all of you that are making the holiday happen by sheer determination and being fueled by coffee with hopefully a little Bailey’s in it – cheers to you.
Making it the most wonderful time of the year for your family is something that you will never regret.
And I wish all of you a season that is as full of peace and real laughter as possible.