I am not a Christmas person.

 Play it again, Charlie.

I know, I know. It’s the reason for the season. The magic of the season.  Bringing out the Christmas cheer.  I don’t know, I’m sure there’s more platitudes out there, but I can’t think of any off the top of my head.

 

 

From a mom’s point of view, it is just a month of madness.

1/12th of the year is devoted to Christmas.  Christmas shopping. Christmas parties. Christmas snack lists. Christmas outfits. Christmas plays about how Christmas should be about Christmas.  No more running into a store without being blasted with glittered sleds hanging from the ceiling, and endless singing about the simpler days in life.  We are also inundated with crafts, decorations and DIYing.  If you have toilet paper rolls and tempra paint, you’re good to go.

Let me sum up Pinterest right now:

I think I’m sweating Mod Podge.

 

I know some people (see: most people) love Christmas.  They are the ones who stop the presses once Elf comes on and feel joy…honest to goodness joy in their souls to hang mistletoe above their doorways.

No touchy.

I know this sounds like the Grinchiest of perspectives, but I assure you I am not a Grinchy person.  For the most part.  I just hate the whole month being devoted to false hopes and busy schedules and crazy aspriations for parents to provide the most idyllic holiday for their families (which seems to add up to 1/12th of the budget for the entire year).  I struggle with birthday cakes, alone.  I am not going to nail Christmas celebrations, decorations or invitations.

I’ll give you a turkey, thoughtful gifts, craft beer, a fire and stunning conversation.           That’s all I got, bub.

It is December 1st and already I am feeling the overwhelming commercialism of the season.  It is stifling, and I can barely think above the clatter of sleigh bells.

 

So I have decided this :

This is not going to be my December.

 

I will be doing crafts with my kids this month, because I love doing crafts with my kids.  We will be drinking apple cider with candy canes soaking in our cups, because I am a sucker for hot cider.  The kids have already begun to sing carols in the car, which is totally fine by me. I have a cart on Amazon ready to ship, filled with Christmas gifts I know my family will truly enjoy.

However, I am not going to go insane.  I am not going out of my way to find the Christmas experience.  I am actually going to limit the Christmas movies.  A Barbie Christmas Story?  No.  Christmas in Connecticut with Barbara Stanwyck?  An overwhelming yes.

My mantra for this season has to be honest to myself.  I just don’t get into a lot of Christmas stuff…but I love taking my kids around SanFrancisco and showing them the decorations and ice skating in Union Square.  I may not like decorating my house…but I love watching the kids go nuts stringing garlands and hanging ornaments.  Christmas may not be my time of year…but I love spending time with my family, and we can do Christmasy stuff together and I will love that.

 

 

So, here is my mantra this Season:

Even one ornament too many can bring you to your knees.

But if you focus on the people, and not what is on the tree… maybe it won’t be so bad.

Love,

-Grinch