The other day, I went to buy a pair of swim goggles. It’s still summer, right? Shouldn’t be a problem, especially with the sweltering 99-degree heat and long, sun-soaked evenings perfect for kids in their bathing suits.
But guess what? I didn’t find any goggles! Instead, I stumbled upon a red and green gift bag filled with impending holiday anxiety — yes, the kind that screams Christmas is just around the corner!
I tried to stroll through aisles of colorful floaties and beach toys, but they’ve been replaced by shelves packed with notebooks, markers, and shiny lunchboxes. Just a few steps over, a clerk was stacking pumpkin-shaped trick-or-treat buckets among garlands of autumn leaves, and I could’ve sworn I saw another setting up a Christmas tree behind her.
What is going on here?
We’re still four months away from Santa’s arrival, yet I’m already feeling that familiar Christmas stress creeping in. And let’s not even start on Pinterest; I went searching for refreshing summer cocktails and was bombarded with Elf on the Shelf ideas. In July!
Enough is enough! I want to halt this holiday madness because I’m not ready — or ever will be — to jump on board this early.
As soon as the kids head back to school in the fall, it seems like the Christmas shopping frenzy begins. Halloween is practically forgotten, Thanksgiving barely exists, and Christmas? It’s already here by September!
Have you finished your shopping by October 1? If not, shame on you! By November 1, my calendar is overflowing with Christmas events, school plays, cookie exchanges, and enough obligations to make even Mrs. Claus consider a little holiday stress relief. I haven’t even put away my beach gear, and my neighbor has already hung up Christmas lights!
Last year, I received my first Christmas card the day after Thanksgiving. I did the math: some family managed to coordinate matching outfits, schedule a photo shoot, and mail out their cards before December, while I was still scrambling for school supplies.
If you’re like me, the bulk of the Christmas planning always lands squarely on Mom’s shoulders. All the shopping, cooking, and hosting — it’s like a never-ending to-do list that starts way too early. The pressure to create the perfect holiday for my family used to hit me in mid-December; now it’s nagging at me while I’m still grilling hot dogs in the summer heat!
This year, I’m taking a stand. I’m going to give myself a well-deserved break. One season at a time, one month at a time, and I refuse to think about anything Christmas-related until I’ve put away the last of my Thanksgiving decorations.
I’m going to savor the end of summer with my kids, soaking up those red, white, and blue popsicles, and I won’t glance at anything Christmas-themed until it’s at least a little cooler outside. No more rushing into holiday planning before I’m ready!
So, who’s with me on this?
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Summary:
This article highlights the overwhelming stress many parents feel as the holiday season approaches far too early. The author emphasizes the importance of taking time to enjoy each season without rushing into the next, advocating for a more relaxed approach to holiday planning.