Are you ready yet? I'm not. Although I promise myself every year that I will start earlier, I still find myself scrambling at the last minute to decorate, shop, etc. My tree is up and decorated, but that's about it. The stockings have not yet been hung by the chimney with care (luckily St. Nick came to my daughter's school), and the few presents that have been bought are still waiting to be de-tagged and wrapped. As for outdoor lights, the snow and ice storms made that decision for us.
My friend, whose household is in a similar state, tried to put a positive spin on it: Our houses are brimming with "Christmas potential."
I have a serious case of "Christmas Card Envy". I have friends (and you know who you are!) who every year send me beautiful pictures of their families, sometimes accompanied by witty newsletters printed on holiday paper. About 99% of the cards I received this year are of the family-picture postcard variety. As I open them, I sigh -- longing for the day when the spirit of Christmas organization will fill me and make me think of taking pictures on our vacations -- pictures that actually have all family members in it and without someone blinking at the flash.
One friend, who never before sent me a newsletter and who I see on a fairly regular basis, sent me one this year. Et tu, Brute?
I should, however, take a cue from another friend of mine. She has four kids. A few years ago, she decided not to send out Christmas pictures of her family anymore because trying to find the time during the holidays to take one and send it out stressed her out. Instead, she takes a family picture in the spring and sends out Easter cards.
But it will all get done; it always does. And I still find time to enjoy the moments.
The preschooler had her first Christmas program this week, and we got a few chuckles watching the preschool angels, dressed in all their finery, fidgeting and fiddling with their "halos" -- so much so that a teacher had to be sent into the bleachers to keep the hallowed ones in line.
So, take heart, ye who are not yet ready. We've still got a couple of days to go!
