When I first tied the knot, I was bubbling with excitement at the thought of hosting holiday gatherings in our cozy new abode. I couldn’t help but skip through the aisles of my local store, picking up all the festive decorations to create a magical atmosphere during my favorite season. As first-time homeowners, we needed everything, and let’s just say I may have gone a little overboard.
I was determined to outshine all holiday hosts, channeling my inner Martha Stewart. My Christmases and New Year’s Eves were filled with twinkling lights, vibrant bows, an array of homemade cookies, and plenty of wine. Back then, I felt like the queen of holiday cheer. Fast forward to now? Not so much.
Honestly, I’d trade all the gravy in my turkey-shaped dish for someone else to take the holiday reins because I’m pretty sure Martha would chuckle at my current holiday chaos. I can imagine my mom and mother-in-law snickering at my store-bought cookies and my half-hearted attempt at outdoor lighting.
Amid the endless diaper changes, sippy cups, and sleepless nights, my holiday spirit has taken a nosedive. Decorating the Christmas tree feels like a chore, and I’m always caught off guard when it comes time for gift shopping. Thank goodness for same-day delivery services, or Santa would be arriving at our place on December 28! I’ve gone from holiday goddess to the Lindsay Lohan of festive preparedness in just a few years.
Just the other day, I glanced at my calendar and realized that I have only eight weeks until the holiday frenzy begins. Staring blankly at the dates, I mentally juggled school parties, gift lists, and festive events, and suddenly I was breaking out in hives. We had a mere eight weeks to fit in every picture-perfect moment that Hallmark could conjure, and I was already worn out before the season even began.
Here’s the truth: I know that achieving perfection during the holidays is a pipe dream. Just keeping curious eyes away from hidden presents is more than enough to drive any mom to reach for the wine. I realize I shouldn’t fret over wrapping paper choices or the dishes served at Thanksgiving dinner, but it’s hard to ignore the glimmering allure of holiday magic that’s shoved down our throats from October to December. And even though I find myself with little time for tree decorating or cookie baking (I always make time for eggnog, though!), I’ve come to understand that my children won’t remember the brand of wrapping paper or the specific treats in their stockings. What they will remember are the smiles we share while surrounded by torn wrapping paper and toys that seem impossible to unbox.
Nevertheless, it feels like moms carry the weight of holiday preparations, and I always feel blindsided by the onset of this season. Despite all my resolutions to plan better and start earlier, I inevitably find myself scrambling.
So this year, if you stop by during the festive season, you might notice that the Christmas lights are a bit askew and some strands are flickering unpredictably. You might see that I’ve neglected to hang every handmade ornament from preschool, and I can’t even remember where our advent calendar ended up. But you know what? I’ll enjoy the holiday spirit a bit more because when I let go of the pressure to bake ten different types of cookies from scratch, everything seems a little brighter.
My gifts will probably be last-minute purchases, and my eggnog won’t be homemade, but I promise you it’ll pack a punch strong enough to ease the holiday chaos. And to my mother-in-law, if you’re reading this, I’d be more than happy to share some of my spiked eggnog with you if you can whip up the Thanksgiving gravy forever because these days, I truly need all the help I can get.
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In summary, the holiday season is more about quality moments than perfect decorations. Embracing the chaos can lead to a more joyful experience, even if it means letting go of the need for perfection.
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