I think there's too much pressure for Christmas to be perfect. Everything's supposed to be fun, cheery, and happy all the frickin' time. And a lot of time it isn't. (Especially when you have to deal with an alcoholic around the holidays.) It's easy to start stressing about getting everyone the right gift (oops, I can't forget my neighbors, I better make some homemade treats), getting your cards out on time (I'm a freak and want to make mine, which adds to the stress), plus there's work and making dinner and cleaning house on top of all this Christmas goodness. Then you have to see as much family as possible. Let's cram it all in!
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a scrooge. I love making gifts and treats, I love making Christmas cards, and I love spending time with people I love until it starts to be dysfunctional. I just think the idea of Christmas is overblown. Maybe I have it wrong in thinking I'm supposed to be happy all the time. The magic of Christmas is supposed to be for little kids, I guess, and it's up to the adults to make sure that happens for them. My niece has been asking for homemade marshmallows, and I think about years from now when I'm old and I can't make them anymore, that perhaps she'll remember how Aunt Leah loved her enough to make them for her and how much she enjoyed them in her hot chocolate. Just like I remember my old babysitter Mrs. Chick and her butter cookies and how much I looked forward to that tin of cookies every year. I always think of her when I make them and about all of the hard work she put into them.
What are some ways that you enjoy the holidays without stress? I just have to let some things go and realize that not everything can be perfect.
3 comments:
People have just totally lost sight of what Christmas is anyway. And I feel like families just pile it on—Merry Christmas with a side of guilt!! I actually haven't encountered too much stress because, well, you know, my ex's family wasn't really around, but I sympathize with my friends. You do so much for everyone year-round, Leah! I say do what you want, or what you can, and let the rest go! No one will ever remember if your house was clean or if you skipped one year of making marshmallowy goodness. (But your cards were way super awesome.)
Oh, and I think we all know that I am one big ball of can't-say-no-try-to-do-too-much-then-have-a-stress-induced-meltdown kinda girl, so I can offer no advice, only pills.
As your sister, I truly appreciate all the effort, time and creativity you put into making me feel loved and special. I know that my kids adore you and are thankful for all the special attention they get from your projects. I think that Christmas is the most stressful and exhausting of all holidays and I barely get to do as much as you. I just hope you take the time out and pamper yourself as much as you pamper others. Maybe sitting down in one of those big comfortable chairs and taking some time for yourself to read a book and enjoy your beautiful home is a good way for you to relax.
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