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Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Ho Ho Ho - Stressed to the max

It happens every single year. I begin the holiday season with hope, anticipation, excitement, and energy but within a couple of weeks I turn into the Grinch. I'm tired and stressed out folks! Every year I tell myself that I will do things differently - that I won't feel pressured to do everything or be everything to everyone, but every year I fail miserably.

Right now I'm sitting at my desk freaking out about my mile long holiday to-do list that I don't have the time to write. There's gifts to buy, gifts to make, gifts to wrap, cookies to bake, Christmas cards to order, Christmas cards to send, decorating to do, traditions to uphold, traditions to create, visiting to do, and lets not forget that pesky thing called a job that needs attending to every day. Yes, the list goes on and on. And yet somewhere, in between it all, I am supposed to find time to enjoy the moment - to enjoy the REAL meaning of Christmas -but how can I when it feels like the moments are flying by at sonic speed?

So what I want to know is this - what, if anything do you or your family do to make the holidays more meaningful? What is your de-stressing holiday secret? If you wouldn't mind passing it along I would be eternally grateful and it would really help me to de-Grinch-a-fy.

7 comments:

Mommy In Pink said...

Hey...we all turn into the grinch sometimes...I feel your pain..there is always so much to do this time of the year! Hang in there! After all, everything always gets done in the end right?

Casey said...

I've got nothing... I bought most of my gifts online before Thanksgiving. My family (brothers and parents) all decided to only buy for the kids so it made it much easier to shop this year. I spent part of today wrapping presents, chasing the kids away from the wrapped presents and making sure I was done buying for everyone. Not sure whether we're getting a tree this year since both kids are into everything but we'll see. I hope you de-stress soon, it's tough to want to be in the spirit but have way too much to do.

Anonymous said...

Whew! This is a tough one for me too. We're trying to establish some traditions this year (we started with our own Thanksgiving dinner), so for me, I'm trying to focus on making memories for the kids. It helps to try to live that moment, amongst all the shopping and other tasks. But only a little. Heh.

beth said...

Okay, every other day only do one things of your Holiday To-Do's. Only one, but get it all done, even if you have to stay up late. On the days inbetween, just realx and do whatever you want as long as it doesn't have to do with the Holidays. It works because you get excited about each type of day.

Katie said...

There is so much commercial pressure. This year for Thanksgiving, I had the kids write out things that they were grateful for about each of our guests. Then we put the little papers into mason jars and gave them to our guests at dinner. It was free, and more importantly, meaningful.
I'm not usually so Martha Stewartesque, I had a moment of zen.

Sprite's Keeper said...

Do you really want to de-stress? I'll tell you a secret. Sshh. Very quietly. Come closer. Closer. Anyone around? No? Good.
Here's the secret:
Let some things go.
Bake Christmas cookies? Don't do it! Let the grocery store do it! Buying gifts? Allot a certain amount of time to it and do it online. Drag, click, get on with life.
Decorating? Does the entire house REALLY need to be covered in holly? If the front entry can get by with a wreath, let it be!
Just enjoy the time with your family. Bring in help when you can and breathe!!!
Hope it helps!

Lisette said...

I usually buy the bulk of my Christmas presents before Thanksgiving (heh I had some bought in March - love winter clearance). We basically just have to buy a little more for 2 of the kids and stocking stuffers. Usually I address and sign Christmas before Turkey day too.Do one thing a day, buy online and don't worry about finding the right gifts for people (gift cards and money are fine -especially in this economy)

Lisette
http://couponqueenofcorning.today.com/