Christmas comes and goes in a flash!All that prep.
The shopping, the baking, the organizing…..the panicking? It’s exhausting.
How can one little Mama possibly keep her family of four happy, get them to all the open houses, family Christmas gatherings, through the meals and survive the photo shoots in one piece?
Deep breath. It’s not easy my friends, but it can be done.
Here are a few tips I have learned along the way:
- When you think you are done buying all of your gifts, you’re not. Buy one extra super generic gift for when some peep who is clearly nicer and way more thoughtful then you and shows up with a super sweet gift for you. Don’t you have one for her? Awkward.
- Same goes for Christmas cards. When you go get the mail and there is some love sent to you from your second cousin twice removed, it would be sweet if you have an extra card on hand ready to go. Throw that baby in the mail IMMEDIATELY. Butt is now covered.
- Don’t make the damn Christmas cookies so far ahead. You and your wee ones (mostly you) will eat them and then you will be forced into re-creating all those mouth-watering yummies. (plus do you want to look all puffy in all of your Christmas pictures?)
- Plan out those Christmas Eve and Christmas Day outfits for yourself and the kids (yes even the Teens) a good week in advance. I guarantee you will be short at least one pair of tights, black socks and possibly a red sweater. While you are at it, have at least one backup plan for all your lovelies. Food disasters, hormones or the fact that you ate 4 dozen cookies and no longer fit in your “go to” pants may force you into a backup plan. Not that this has ever happened to me.
- Do you have enough AAA and AA batteries? NO. You do not. There are never enough. Go get some more.
- Do you have food for a couple of days AFTER Christmas? Duh, the people of your house will require sustenance after the big day too. Don’t forget to add grocery shopping to your massive “To Do” list.
- Sweetie, no matter how hard you try you are going to be tired. It’s OK. You can sleep in January. Have another coffee.
- Be prepared with Tylonel, wine and keep those expectations at a realistic level and you are ready for the season of Peace, Joy and Christmas in the Suburbs.
So now…are you ready for New Years??
I’m going to take a little time off to enjoy the season with my people who live on this side of the screen. Wishing all of you the happiest of holidays filled with realistic expectations, wine, coffee, movie nights by the fire, great family photos, and maybe even some sleep.
Sending much love, good health, peace and joy your way.
See you in 2018!!
Lots of great points here! I agree there are never enough batteries!
Having that generic gift set aside is a must! It’s always good to be prepared & have something on hand to give to someone you may have forgotten about or if you receive an impromptu gift!
Great tips!
Another great post with your amazing sense of humor plus great advice
Thank you for this wonderful post. I also wish you and your family a Very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2018!
I seriously went 4 days with barely survivable sleep – but last night FINALLY an a amazing 10 hours. I feel like a new woman!
What a great blog! Glad I found it!