Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

Christmas Countdown Begins

November 5, 2013

Yep, the Christmas Countdown began on October 27 and I have begun in earnest! This Countdown saves me every year to a certain extent, although I still allow myself to get too stressed and do too much on my own, but mostly it is really helpful. And tools like this are only helpful as long as you make them suitable for your situation and not trying to copy someone else. Example, I noticed that a group of ladies were having a book club on a book I read and they were all taking that book way out of context as in this is exactly what you should do. Well, that’s not what the book says at all – it was simply how that family chose to change the way they were living. You need to take it and then make it your own. I try to do that with most everything I read in the self-help department, otherwise I’d just make myself crazy.

Okay, now let’s get down to business. I do have a binder to keep my planning pages, receipts, notes, articles, etc. in. I also have a plastic pocket insert and an envelope to catch receipts as we do the shopping. This last Sunday morning since I was up ridiculously early thanks to the time change, I spent my time reading the first week’s messages of the Countdown, printing off pages for my planner, and writing notes as things popped in my head. I am now caught up on that and can read the messages each day and go through the checklist to see what I need to do each week. I feel better already.

The other thing I did was to find all of the Nigella Lawson Christmas videos on You Tube. I love her and her books and her shows – she is so beautiful for starters but also everything she cooks is beautiful and, amazingly, mostly easy. She said once that people often mistake time consuming for hard which I have to admit I would do, but she’s right – some cooking is easy but just takes time so let’s call it like it is. Anyway, I’m watching these episodes in the dark of early mornings and it is a relaxing way to begin my day and gets me in the Christmas spirit. I plan on making her Star Topped Mince Pies again because they were absolutely fantastic last year! I’ll be making double the amount though because they were gone way to quickly. (Note – I did not make my own pastry but bought it. Yep – I do use cheats.) Here’s a link to her first Christmas show in case you’re curious – enjoy! Nigella Christmas.

This year also, after a mild fiasco last year, we decided that Mike and I would each buy each kid a gift – one from Mommy and one from Daddy – and then one Santa gift which is from both of us. I mean, er, Santa. This takes the shopping pressure off me and also gives Mike the fun of buying for the kids. To say Mike was thrilled with this idea was an understatement and he’s already chomping at the bit to shop. Sometimes you really do have to sit down and talk and say, we could do this a better way.

So, I’m gathering Christmas lists from the kids and I’ve even started my shopping. The kids drew names when we were all together on Labor Day and so they can shop early as well. Which, really, brings me to the point of having a plan – you can enjoy Advent and Christmas in a more relaxed and spiritually aware manner when you get the necessary stuff out of the way early. No crazy wrapping on Christmas Eve (yes, I’ve done that), but instead hanging around with the family and enjoying being with them. Having time to serve others outside your family. It allows for a simpler, more meaningful holiday season which is really what I want.

There was this great article I read years ago called “Stuffed” by Susanna Sonnenberg and in it she told how her family changed how they do Christmas to make it a less stressful and more meaningful time of year. I’ve been slowly working toward that ever since I first read it and I read it every year now as I prepare for the holidays. So, I’ll wrap up with a quote from that article:

“We found that even a small change promotes a shift, and I’ve learned that the point isn’t to stop spending money, but to be awake to our decisions. This year I look forward to Christmas because it doesn’t feel like a bloated habit anymore, but a chance to explore the precious depth of being together.” (Wondertime magazine – December 2008 issue)

Stay tuned for more Christmas Countdown as we go through the season.

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» Christmas Countdown Begins » Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

Christmas Countdown Begins

November 5, 2013

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