I think that I holiday spirit fairy totally missed me when she was sprinkling holiday cheer all over the place.
I don't have any Christmas spirit. All around me, Christmas is exploding. People are decorating for Christmas. Lights are going up. Trees are being trimmed. House are all warm and cozy with holiday cheer. And I got nothing. I want to have it but for some reason, it is not there.
Even the fact that it is snowing is not helping. Usually there is nothing like a good solid snow that will put me in the Christmas spirit. But no, all I can think of is how can I get Jeff out there to shovel the driveway so that I don't have to do it tomorrow.
I have been seriously considering not putting out the Christmas decorations. It all seems like a lot of work and it might even entail some dusting and Lord knows that I don't dust. I don't know if I could find the surface to put the Christmas stuff on under all the dust layers.
I don't even want to put up a Christmas tree. I am actually dreading it. I can just imagine what the babies are going to do to it and all the ornaments. I just know that they will have all the ornaments off and hidden away in 30 seconds flat. I can just hear myself now, "Don't touch that! Stop! NO! Pretty, Don't Touch! No! No! NO!!!"
I usually love to bake and fill the house with Christmas cookies, chocolate balls and jelly rolls. But I can barely stomach the thought of making all that stuff. (This might be because I am super full from Thanksgiving leftovers).
And Christmas shopping. I have not even started to think about Christmas shopping. How will I ever get it done and what the heck am I suppose to buy? What am I suppose to tell people to buy for the kids? What orifice am I going to pull the money from?
So you see there is something wrong with me. Am I the only one? It is really starting to get me down, especially listening to Hayden's excitement in seeing my mom's house all decorated for Christmas. And hearing his pure joy at seeing all the Christmas lights was killing me. He keeps asking and asking, "When we can make our house look pretty, Mommy." Well, I am asking the same thing... when?
Help!
29 comments:
*Big hug. Handing you a large glass of red wine and 2 or 3 biscotti.*
You have 3 babies that are going to attack the tree, right? Here's a plan: short prickly Christmas tree.
Get a live tree this year, and grab one with sharp needles. After 10 or 12 toddler-grabs for the tree, the triplets will learn the tree HURTS and will leave it alone. Or if that sounds too mean (heehee) put the unbreakable (i.e. your most hated) ornaments on the bottom and let the toddlers play with them. Elizabeth had about 4 ornaments that she could pull off the tree and play with, and that kept her entertained. And I didn't care, cause they were tacky ornaments I made in elementary school (wooden clothespin reindeer, anyone?). And don't put the tree up until Dec. 15th for the love of Pete. Why put yourself through all that crap any longer than you have to?
I put the unbreakable ornaments near the bottom... Dottie has been all over the tree.. which went up on Friday.... she's been driving me nuts.. I can't imagine her times THREE. I don't blame you for dreading it... I know you'll come around though.. and you'll love every minute of it.
Jen, I have been where you are. Not this year, but others. Christmas, when you are already exhausted and stressed is more to the same on steroids. (And who wants more exhaustion and stress????) I have some suggestions and that is all it is.
Get some sleep and a few nights out, just you and Jeff. It is so underestimated how much sleep and time with other adults you like impacts how moms feel about themselves and the world around them.
The next suggestion is, pick one service oriented project to focuss on as a family. I know that sounds crazy, but really, it worked for me. It could be having your children pick a toy to give to a shelter or door bell ditch a neighbor that could use a little cheer with a plate of cookies. I know it sounds like a small thing, but for me it worked. My kids really like the put the cookies on the steps, ring the door bell and run around the side of the house thing.
One other suggestion on the tree. Go to Walmart/Target and buy the bucket of plastic cheap tree ornamants or make some out of homemade playdough and let the kids have at the bottom of the tree. My kids decorated and redecorated the bottom half of the tree many times. I learned to just enjoy that they loved that part of Christmas so much. I know the day will come when I will have to plead with them to help me decorate the tree.
Now I just have one favor to ask.....please remind me of this next week when I'm screaming because my tree has been disassembled and I'm tired of saying, "Santa does not bring you every toy you ask for."
Hang in there......I wish I lived in your neck of the woods. I would be over to help. {{{Hugs}}}
I'm so sorry you are off your game! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help or if you need anything. Maybe I'll see you Tuesday at playgroup. I miss my Jen!
Yo, I am so there with you. I looked at our house this year, with thoughts of me climbing up on the roof to put up lights, and I just said, "Eh, nope."
And, Christmas Tree? SERIOUSLY here's what I suggest: decorate a Christmas Tree outside in your yard, and don't put the presents out till Christmas morning in some pre-agreed-upon spot in your house. That way, the kids can still decorate a tree but it won't be in constant reach of kids. YOu can even forego the ornaments, or like someone else suggested, just get some cheapy ones and put them on the outside tree. Do lights and garland and your tree will look super sparkly! Don't feel bad about no tree inside! Or, if you do, just get a tiny tree (like 2 ft.) and put it on top of a table up high. That way you'll still have one inside.
But, tree opinions aside, I too have no C-mas spirit. I miss my family and as much as I act like it's SOOO much easier, the truth is that I would have a hassle in a heartbeat if it meant I could spend the holidays with some family or friends. Texas is just too big for this gal.
Seriously ... it is too early to put up Christmas decorations and lights. It is only November 30th. One whole month (almost) til Christmas. We never do anything until Dec 16 (our youngest daughter's birthday).
My suggestion: "A Charlie Brown Christmas" Soundtrack.
If I could live my life to one album, *this* would be it. It's not OVERLY Christmas-y and Lord knows I love me some jazz.
Other than that suggestion, the only thing that's left is pounding eggnog until mistletoe is growing out of your ears.
Last week I would have said, "Oh, come come now, Christmas is a magic time...blah blah blah." However, I have also caught a case of the HUM-BUG. I think I caught it the same time Noah got the stomach flu....
I hope this feeling shall pass for both of us, but if not, know I will be toasting a glass to you and our shared Christmas funk.
What I am excited for, is to read more of your posts. They make a great way to procrastinate from online Xmas shopping!
I'm ready for Christmas in that I totally avoid buying things in stores (except for food). Today we drove into the mountains with Lola and took pictures in the snow. Wendi insisted that we listen to holiday music all the way to and through the mountains. We had breakfast at a little lodge, got back into the car and went to higher altitudes. Usually, Mr. Hanky, the Christmas Poo South Park character gets the two of us ready for the Christmas season. Mr. Hanky is a little turd that hosts a Christmas special.
Well, I could try to say something funny or poignant, but it's already been a long night...
Give yourself some time - did you not just have Thanksgiving down there? You need some time to recover from one holiday before moving onto the next, girl!
This year, we gave up on presents (for everyone except our own kids) and decided to make a donation to a charity we care about. I created cards for everyone we would normally give gifts to that said "this year, in lieu of gifts, we have chosen to make a donation...in your honour..." Let me tell you, it has already taken the sting out of Christmas in terms of stress and finances! Plus, we let the kids help us choose the charity details so it allowed us the chance to talk about the real meaning of xmas.
Anyway, not trying to sound like a martyr or anything. It's just what we decided to try this year.
Hope the spirit finds you soon. Or that you find some spirits (like the liquid kind...) ;-)
I completely know how you feel!! We got the tree up this past weekend and in the process I am sure that no less than 10 times I had to threaten Caleb within inches of his life (come on where is the Christmas cheer in that???) I am not sure what my problem is this year, last year we looked SOOO forward to it and this year I am bah humbuged out!!
Maybe it's just the two of us, and if it is... do you think we will get the lump of coal we deserve???
ME TOO! What is it? I don't even want to put the tree up.
And, we decided to take a family trip instead of gifts, so no presents to buy.
I have no interest at all. Last year this time, our place was covered in fake holly and glitter..
Not that you want all the x-tra work on x-mas eve, but we put ours up after they go to bed so that they wake up not only to the presents, but the tree as well.
With two climbers, it was all we could do. Now they're growing into more self control, but I've started to enjoy the tradition.
You've got your hands full. Don't beat yourself up, and let them enjoy all the cheer at Gramma's. It helps maintain her "Gramma" specialness.
I can't imagine having two major family, cooking, decorating holidays within a month of each other. You seriously need a break!
Perhaps if you avoid it long enough someone close to you will take pity and do all your decorating and baking for you?
I have sympathy, really. But the joy on his face will be worth it. I will be installing a small tree on a higher surface and hope that this will work.
I'm feeling exactly the same way. I don't want to put the tree up or any of my decorations because I'll just have to put them away in a three weeks. As it is, we can't put any ornaments below about three feet because the cats attack, I can't imagine what to do about a toddler. Can you say disaster waiting to happen?
You're not alone . . . I can't get into it either . . . and I really want to . . . it's just not happening yet . . . I get caught up in the details, like where are we getting the money to pay for xmas gifts from . . . or how long will it take for me to pay off the credit card . . . or all I really want is to not have to buy lots of gifts for everyone else . . . and I'm totally okay with no gifts for me right now . . . but I'm thinking a few more days will pass and we will all get passed the Thanksgiving hang-over and feel cheery once again . . . hang in there! :-)
all i have to say is...no. you are most definitely not the only one. that is one of the reasons i chose holiday traditions as a focus for my giveaway post, to try and help me rekindle that lost spirit. so far it is helping me see the joy in the season, but not really motivating me to do much about it.
I do not put up any Christmas decorations or tree. I do decorate for the winter season though. I love snowmen.
But how can you like Christmas when the stores are full of it in September/October. Are you kidding me.
I've had years like this. I think there was one year when I didn't even put up a tree. I can't remember. Those were my depressed years. Thankfully, this one is much better.
Maybe a scaled down version would be better for this year. You do have an awful lot on your plate with those babies.
It's hard to get into the holiday spirit with the economy plus everything on your plate. Give yourself a break! It's a lot to take right now. Who says that the tree "needs" ornaments this year? When my youngest was at that age, I just decorated with garland. Problem solved:-)
I think that we all feel a lot of pressure to make the holidays perfect for our kids.
If it were me I would skip putting up a big Christmas tree full of tempting ornaments with three little ones running around.
Trust me, they won't remember the year without a tree!
I know when my girls were little I had less energy or time to decorate the house. I skipped a tree and the outdoor lights a few times.
As far as I know the girls aren't scarred for life! :)
I'm sorry, Jen. I know the feeling. Do all your shopping online...at night after children are asleep. That helps.
Get a good smelling cinnamon candle, a hot chocolate and put on Christmas music. Maybe that'll force the Christmas cheer into you. lol
Mine's been slow comin' too.
Don't push yourself right now. Maybe just go through the motions until it just hits you.
Did you find your Christmas cheer yet? Because I sure haven't! ag. Because I'd have to clean first and I can't seem to work up the ambition. And if one more person tells me "I'm all done with my Christmas shopping" I think I'm going to punch them in the nose! I think we'll be having dollar store Christmas at our house this year!
This is the one time of year I wish I drank. I think a good stiff holiday drink may be just what the doctor ordered!
Sometimes it is hard to get into the spirit. I would take it easy with the decorations, due to walking disasters. A little artificial tree on the buffet in your dining area would be nice--and sort of unreachable. Choose a few of your favorite things and put them out and forget the rest. I lit the first candle in my advent wreath on Sunday and that was a great start to the season for me. I'm sure that you will get in "the spirit". Incidentally, that does NOT mean shopping, despite what the media seems to be telling us. The constant bombardment of ads and the frantic reporting about Black Friday are enough to depress anyone. Love you.
The little 3 ft Christmas tree is up here - and that is all that is going up - ornaments have been/are being made and a good thing I went with this plan - he's a little obsessive about touching the tree, hugging it and taking stuff on and off it - I didn't know this but I've been using the wrong Christmas tree terms my whole life - apparently the garland is a "snake" and when the lights on the tree are off it is called the tree is "empty". :-) I did go to the closet to get other stuff out, but I was content and happy with the little 3 ft tree, Little People nativity set under it, and Christmas blanket as the tree skirt...it just worked for us this year.
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