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I Am Definitely Not Prepared for the Holidays
When I first got married, I was over the moon about hosting my inaugural holiday gatherings in our new home. I remember bouncing through the aisles of Target, gleefully picking up everything I needed to make the season magical. As new homeowners, we needed all the festive decor, and let’s just say I went a bit overboard. I was ready to give Martha Stewart a run for her money when it came to holiday hosting. Christmas and New Year’s Eve were a whirlwind of twinkling lights, vibrant bows, an array of homemade cookies, and more than a few glasses of chardonnay.
Before kids, I was the holiday queen. Now? Not so much.
Honestly, I’d trade all the gravy in my turkey-shaped dish to have someone else take the reins on the holiday madness because I’m fairly certain Martha Stewart would chuckle at my current holiday chaos. And I can practically hear my mom and mother-in-law snickering at my store-bought cookies and my haphazard attempts at decking the halls.
Somewhere between diaper changes and sippy cups, and amid sleepless nights and school runs, my holiday spirit has taken a nosedive. Decorating the tree has morphed into a dreaded chore, and I’m often caught off guard when it comes to Christmas shopping. Thank goodness for Amazon Prime; otherwise, Santa would be showing up on December 28 around here. In just a few years, I’ve gone from being a holiday superstar to the Lindsay Lohan of Christmas prep.
Just the other day, I glanced at my calendar for a work event and realized I only have eight weeks until the holiday season kicks off. As I stood there, mouth agape, mentally calculating all the school parties, craft projects, gifts, and events we need to squeeze into our already packed schedule, I broke out in hives. Eight weeks to cram every Hallmark moment and picturesque memory into our calendar? And the holidays haven’t even arrived yet, and I’m already worn out.
Guess what, kids? Santa is about to have a meltdown, and it won’t be pretty.
I understand that holiday perfection is a myth. Just trying to keep curious little hands away from the hiding spots for presents is enough to make any mom consider day-drinking, let alone worrying about perfectly strung Christmas lights. I know I shouldn’t be so concerned about the wrapping paper or the Thanksgiving meal I prepare.
But it’s tough not to get swept up in the manufactured Hallmark magic that gets shoved down our throats from October to December. It’s frustrating that I don’t have the time I wish I could dedicate to tree trimming, cookie baking, and general merriment (though I always find time for eggnog).
I’ve realized that my kids won’t remember if Santa’s gifts had specific wrapping paper or if I included the same treats in their stockings each year. What they’ll cherish are the smiles on their faces when we share moments together on the living room floor, surrounded by torn wrapping paper and toys with packaging that’s a nightmare to open.
The truth is, moms carry the bulk of holiday responsibilities, and I feel like I’m always caught off guard by this time of year. Despite my best intentions to start early and manage my time wisely to avoid holiday-induced panic, I never seem to get it right.
So, this year, if you happen to swing by during the festive season, you’ll likely notice my Christmas lights are a bit askew, some strands are blinking at random, and I forgot to hang those precious handmade ornaments from kindergarten. I have no clue where our advent calendar went. But I’ll be soaking in the joy around me a little more because, when you stop stressing over whipping up ten different kinds of cookies from scratch, the holidays shine a little brighter.
My gifts will probably be last-minute buys, and my eggnog won’t be homemade, but you better believe it’ll have enough rum in it to help me cope with the holiday haze.
And if you’re reading this, Mom-in-law, I’d happily share my spiked eggnog with you if you’ll keep making the Thanksgiving gravy forever, because these days, I can’t navigate the holidays without some serious help.
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Summary:
The holiday season can feel overwhelming, especially for busy mothers juggling family responsibilities. This humorous take explores the shift from holiday hosting prowess to the chaotic reality of modern parenting. With a lighthearted tone, it emphasizes the importance of enjoying the moment over striving for perfection, while acknowledging the support needed to navigate this festive time.