Is Christmas really the most wonderful time of the year? And is it really as simple as that? Is it too much to expect this time of year to be perfect every single year?
The most wonderful time of the year?
Now anyone who knows me will tell you I am a little bit Christmas obsessed. I drag Buble out of hibernation earlier than he is used to, I watch my first Christmas film in October … Ok September, I Christmas shop from January and plan a diary full of fabulous Christmas themed activities to please all.
In reality this means that I forget what I have bought so doubling up occurs, over buying always happens, and then I am convinced I bought wrapping paper and cards in the sale last year but I either lost it or it never actually happened, so I panic that I have neither and buy all over again (Sometimes I then find the stuff I DID buy in the sale!)
It also means Buble is put back in to early hibernation. I know he isn’t ready, He hasn’t even collected enough food supplies to see him through the summer, but if I have to skip through his rendition of Silent night one more time I might strangle myself with tinsel.
Then there’s the Christmas movies which are beginning to get a little tired, no one seems to be able to make a good Christmas film like they used to. And there’ll never be a Santa as good as Richard Attenborough.
Too busy to enjoy it?
The diary fills up with ‘Fun Christmas’ activities that leaves you with cold sweats, mild heart palpitations and a wish to hide away until the 1st January at the least. And even a colour coded diary on the noticeboard in the kitchen isn’t enough of a reminder to stop you from double and triple booking yourself. But it’s the panic of fitting in all the wrapping and card writing and the normal day to day ‘stuff’ that makes me feel a little faint.
And DO NOT get me started on the bloody elf. 7 years later and I have no more inspiration and my need to sleep is greater than the need to find an elf activity!! Little shits!
But there’s the moments where I wish I could hit the pause button. So I could embrace the Christmas film while enjoying a festive drink or lovingly wrapping some presents. Have a day in our Pj’s writing Christmas cards and eating mince pies. To take the time to dance around a beautiful Christmas tree to Mr Buble. To really stop and see all the pretty lights decorating houses street after street. To make more time for family and friends and to simply enjoy this wonderful time.
Slow down and embrace
So this Christmas, the wrapping started in November and the aim is to have it all finished by mid-December.
I will not be writing cards (So glad I spent so long making my own cards this year!!) unless you have a gift from me. Gift = card. This might be slightly influenced by the fact I now have 5 names to sign off in the cards, maybe I should commission a stamp for next year.
I will allocate one evening a week to watch the classic Christmas films, The Holiday, Love actually and the Family Stone at the very least. I’ll also be open minded to the many Christmas film appearing on Netflix currently. I have already been pleasantly surprised by Kurt Russell’s attempt at Santa.
We will find an evening to be wowed by the pretty lights, even if Rob does think I am mad!
And I am genuinely excited for all the fun we have booked in. I am excited to see friends that I have not dedicated enough time too lately, I am looking forward to cosy evenings with my family, and I am going to enjoy making new traditions and weekends full of fun that make the working week seem a little easier.
I wish I loved Christmas as much as you. I love the lights, the decorations, and spending time with family. I never look forward to the shopping, it’s always that one thing I dread every year. I’m trying to get better at it, but I’m such a last minute shopper which is always stressful. This year my husband and I are starting a Christmas tradition that we will purchase a trip for our family instead of things. It takes the stress off of me and also we get to have a family vacation and enjoy each other. I can’t believe I’m saying this but Happy Holidays and hope you have a stress free Christmas with your family.
I really love that idea. I keep thinking about doing that, I think my step daughters are a little young to understand the lack of presents but I think making memories is so more important than a toy etc. Thank you for reading and Happy Holidays to you too x x x
I love the holiday season also and treat the whole month of December as part of it. Have a wonderful Christmas and holiday and yes to stopping to appreciate what we have.
Merry Christmas to you x. X
Great blog post my friend! I enjoy the holidays too, but it is often a dark time for me. After I lost my mom in 2015 the holidays just aren’t the same. No matter how much I try and write uplifting blog posts, I still get emotional during the holidays. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and journey. Happy Holidays!
Thank you, this will be my second year without my Mum and it’s really tough x
I can really relate to this article, especially for this time of year. I love Christmas too! It is my favorite time of year and go all out for it.
Sending love this Christmas x
I love Christmas too. I often double up on gifts so end up having gifts I can use for birthdays as well.
I do the same, I have all the birthdays in a month following christmas so it helps a lot x
So lovely. I asked my youngest what he was most looking forward to about Christmas and he said “being with my family” then “presents” – I thought this was so lovely.
You’ve raised a wonderful one there x x
I love this – we are trying to do less this year so we can pause and embrace the magic of the season. I think it’s so easy to get carried away with the stress of it all. We all need to remember to breathe, slow down and enjoy!
It is, this year I have learnt to say no and it has really helped x
I’ve finished all the buying and wrapping but I bought one present twice. Aarrgghh
Oh I have done that before too! I just have stocking fillers to wrap now so I am feeling together x
Aww what a beautiful post. It’s so easy to get swept up with what you ‘should’ be doing, but I totally agree that sitting back and holding the family close is just as important. *Makes note to also start Christmas in November next year 😉
Yes to allocating a night a week for a Christmas film! We had a baby in October, so preparing for Christmas has been like a military operation, but we’re finally getting there now 🙂
I feel your pain. I get married next year on the 23rd December so will have to take some tips from you I think!
I’m not a huge fan of Christmas but do enjoy seeing the kids faces on christmas morning!
You can’t beat that excitement from them x x
I love this post! It’s so true that it’s amazing to just pause and enjoy this time of year. It can be so easy to get caught up in all of the stress of organising everything x
It really can, so much expectation on ourselves too x
The most wonderful time of the year for me is Autumn, but Christmas comes a close second. This year I’ve been trying to be more relaxed about it and not put on too much pressure from expectations. We’ve been doing less, but as a result enjoying it more.
Exactly the same as me, I am stressing a little today though as we have a free weekend which never happens and I can’t find anything that is not fully booked to do!
Hope you have an amazing Christmas, we have a new baby to celebrate with this year and I cannot wait
I think you have it figured out. I am totally doing the same. I love this post.
Merry Christmas Claire! You plans sound clever and sensible. Enjoy xxx
I love Christmas time too and always enjoy reading your blogs! Merry Christmas!!!🎄
Thank you so much 💕 merry Christmas x x
I may not be such an early bird like you, but I do love Christmas 🙂
You have definitely set me off. I’m looking at gifts right now. Christmas is magical isn’t it 🎄