There was a time in my life, not all that long ago, when I somehow managed to prepare for the year-end holiday season in advance even while working 60+ hour weeks. I kept lists of gift ideas for reference. I shopped for gifts - in real brick and mortar stores - and tucked them away when I found just the right items. I hand-wrote letters to include in cards, which I dropped into postal boxes for delivery weeks ahead of time. I even baked cookies. (Well, to be honest that really was a long time ago.) So, how does it happen that now, year after year, the holidays sneak up on me? I wasn't prepared for Thanksgiving and I'm sure as heck not ready for Christmas. But there's no hiding from the fact that it's coming...
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| The second of these 2 trees of lights, erected on nearby properties, appeared last night to taunt me through the window of my home office |
I hope you're more organized than I am.
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All material © 2012-2016 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Well, at least this year, we can blame our holiday unpreparedness on massive trauma only a few weeks before. That election was enough to make at least me crawl under a rock and slip into blissful hibernation for at least two years. I'm honestly in no mood to celebrate. At all. The one thing I can get into is the lights - they give me some hope in the midst of looming darkness.
ReplyDeleteI'm having a major problem getting in the mood too, although I keep hearing the lyrics of "We Need a Little Christmas" creeping into my head...
DeleteI have a feeling it's going to sneak up on me and I'll be scrambling! Time goes faster these days. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt does indeed. Too many things to distract one.
DeleteNot at all, but then we will be avoiding much of the holiday hype as we will be on a cruise and flying back on Christmas day. I'm feeling a little like Scrooge this year although I did venture to the toy store today. No tree, no cards but an e letter and a frost tonight! Bah! Humbug!
ReplyDeleteI think you're celebrating Christmas in just the right way, Jenny! I'm envious.
DeleteI am so over Christmas ! If it weren't for my kids I would gladly no longer participate. My favorite Christmas in ages was a couple years ago when my son was in the cast of Bracebridge in Yosemite and I rode up on the train and spent Christmas there. It was very music-centric , no presents involved . Winter solstice ! I do like having a Christmas tree though.
ReplyDeleteChristmas was a lot more fun when our nieces and nephews were smaller. Now, even the teenagers just want gift cards. I can't go without a real Christmas tree - I missed having one only once in my life, the year we moved in here just a week before Christmas.
DeleteYou and me both sister! Just today I was thinking about how much "less" I manage to do for the holidays these days. I have no logical explanation for why, other than time going faster, faster, faster...
ReplyDeleteThere should be a way to rediscover the joys of the holiday and let go of what has just become hassle, shouldn't there? I cut a lot of corners now (e-cards instead of paper cards, etc.) but I'm still looking for ways to put the fun back into the season.
DeleteSixty-plus hours a week and all that holiday prep? I can't even imagine that right now. This has been one of those weeks for me when I can barely get up in the morning, and getting anything done is a struggle.
ReplyDeleteI always planned way ahead for the holidays, Evan, but that's become increasingly difficult and, in a year like this one, with the post-election apprehensions running high, it's really hard to focus, or get excited about what's become a very commercial event. Still, for me anyway, a little real Christmas spirit could be an antidote for the poisonous soup of our daily newscasts.
DeleteWhen we lived in England I was always really well prepared now I am never ready (mentally or actually). I believe it is because the light levels are so much higher here so my brain just isn't ready for it to be mid-winter!
ReplyDeleteWell, I can't claim that excuse, Christina! Winter has always been just a concept here.
DeleteThat's a great photo.
ReplyDeleteYou are a very organized person still, Kris. I think we just get (rightly) tired of the whole holiday thing after a while. I love the tree in the corner of the family room, but everything else--not interested. The Xmas music blaring in the coffee bar and grocery store has become completely unbearable.
I'm not sure my brain even processes the Christmas music in stores any more but then I also steer clear of retail establishments (except garden centers) as much as possible, especially at this time of year. If on-line shopping wasn't available, my family probably would be receiving some horrible home-made crafts from me.
DeleteYes, what Kathy said above goes for us as well. We barely celebrate now that our son is an adult and we live all the way across the country from him. I rarely talk with family that I left behind back there either. I'm going to bake some cookies to ship home to my son (a recipe his Grandma always made every year, so it has good memories for him), but other than that, I don't bother. Nigel and I don't even buy each other presents.
ReplyDeleteSelecting offbeat or unexpected gifts used to be a joy for me but distance and reduced contact with family makes hitting the mark there much more difficult. Gift cards are no substitutes.
DeleteNot sure how this Christmas will play out for us. Family lunch? And the carol service - love me some live music!
ReplyDeleteI hope your Ungardener recovers fully before the holiday and you both have the opportunity to fully enjoy it, Diana.
DeleteChristmas at our house is a very mellow event and only a few gifts are exchanged with our kids. The more I did, the less I enjoyed it. The less I do, the more I am able to enjoy and survive the entire season. My son will be home this Christmas and that's all I want! Happy December to you!
ReplyDeleteI'm very happy to hear your son will be home for Christmas, Tammy! Best wishes for a wonderful celebration!
DeleteI've had a similar experience in my life. Ten years ago, I was working full-time-plus, was the primary provider, had two very active kids in high school and middle school, and I did all the shopping, wrapping, baking, and other holiday prep. Same thing as you with the handwritten cards, etc. How did I do that? And why did I do that? Now that the kids are adults and I've vastly simplified my holiday prep, it still seems stressful and rushed! And, no, I am not more organized than you are. The older I get, the more I look forward to January when I can rest and hibernate a little bit. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI've been asking myself the why question a lot this year. In the hustle bustle of the season and its ever increasing commercialization, its too easy to lose the essence of the season in the process of preparation.
DeleteMaybe our priorities change? Maybe you spend more time gardening now?
ReplyDeleteI'm with Hoov, I'm much less interested in the trappings than before. I just want some peace and quiet and good food. I think I'm becoming an old tom cat.
You'll want to curl up in front of a roaring fire then too, Gerhard! I definitely spend a lot more of my time gardening now - the garden sounds a louder siren call than any of the holiday preparations I described.
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