Christmas is my job -- And here's how it's gonna go
Somewhere along the way, Christmas became my job.
As in, not my husband's job.
For the past several years, I have been the one to shop for the presents. Wrap the presents. Package and ship the presents.
I pick out or design the holiday cards. Address the cards. Stamp the cards. Mail the cards. I keep track of who has sent us cards to make sure they get a card from us, too, because HOLY HECK, that has to be the top rule of holiday cards. Wars have been started over less.
I bake the cookies. And clean up afterward. I make the neighbors a treat and deliver it to them on Christmas Eve. I make Christmas breakfast/lunch/dinner/whatever we're doing on a particular year.
I decorate the house. (He puts up the lights outside. Some years.)
Then after Christmas, I write the thank-you notes to family and friends.
I shop the after-Christmas sales to get good deals on holiday stuff for next year.
I pack all the Christmas decorations away. (My husband loads the boxes into the attic because he has decided that's a man's job.)
And then I scrapbook the whole season so our family will have the memories.
Of stuff I did.
But I'm not bitter. Sure, it would be nice to have my husband help out more during the holidays, but -- women, say it with me -- if I didn't do it, it wouldn't get done.
This year, I am taking some shortcuts because my time is already spoken for by a non-napping toddler and pregnancy makes me tired. For example, I ordered photo cards that look like they've already been signed byus me. HUGE time saver that was!
I didn't set out all the Christmas decorations. Less time setting out, less time putting away.
I also got a food catalog in the mail that looked good, so I went ahead and ordered several food gifts to be shipped to people on my list. People have to eat, right? Or feed holiday guests? No wrapping, no treks to the post office, and I ordered enough to qualify for free shipping.
For cookie baking, I'm going to make bar cookies. They take less time than individual cookies. For the neighbors, no more homemade cinnamon yeast rolls that take hours -- a nice breakfast loaf will be fine.
I'm sure I'll think of other ways to help me keep from getting completely overwhelmed during this hectic season.
And if you really want to help a mama out, offer me the gift of saying you don't need a formal thank-you note sent to you through the mail!
Read more about holiday overload at Parent Bloggers Network.
As in, not my husband's job.
For the past several years, I have been the one to shop for the presents. Wrap the presents. Package and ship the presents.
I pick out or design the holiday cards. Address the cards. Stamp the cards. Mail the cards. I keep track of who has sent us cards to make sure they get a card from us, too, because HOLY HECK, that has to be the top rule of holiday cards. Wars have been started over less.
I bake the cookies. And clean up afterward. I make the neighbors a treat and deliver it to them on Christmas Eve. I make Christmas breakfast/lunch/dinner/whatever we're doing on a particular year.
I decorate the house. (He puts up the lights outside. Some years.)
Then after Christmas, I write the thank-you notes to family and friends.
I shop the after-Christmas sales to get good deals on holiday stuff for next year.
I pack all the Christmas decorations away. (My husband loads the boxes into the attic because he has decided that's a man's job.)
And then I scrapbook the whole season so our family will have the memories.
Of stuff I did.
But I'm not bitter. Sure, it would be nice to have my husband help out more during the holidays, but -- women, say it with me -- if I didn't do it, it wouldn't get done.
This year, I am taking some shortcuts because my time is already spoken for by a non-napping toddler and pregnancy makes me tired. For example, I ordered photo cards that look like they've already been signed by
I didn't set out all the Christmas decorations. Less time setting out, less time putting away.
I also got a food catalog in the mail that looked good, so I went ahead and ordered several food gifts to be shipped to people on my list. People have to eat, right? Or feed holiday guests? No wrapping, no treks to the post office, and I ordered enough to qualify for free shipping.
For cookie baking, I'm going to make bar cookies. They take less time than individual cookies. For the neighbors, no more homemade cinnamon yeast rolls that take hours -- a nice breakfast loaf will be fine.
I'm sure I'll think of other ways to help me keep from getting completely overwhelmed during this hectic season.
And if you really want to help a mama out, offer me the gift of saying you don't need a formal thank-you note sent to you through the mail!
Read more about holiday overload at Parent Bloggers Network.
Labels: Hollydays, this is why I'm crazy
posted by Holly at 9:28 AM
8 Comments:
I have to admit, I'm the one who doesn't mark the cards received and sent. Hubby does that because I'm not that organized and he's over-organized (if there is such a thing). I sent out about 20 cards this year and he sent over 40. 15 of the cards I sent were photo cards that I just stuffed in an envelope. That's the only way I can get things accomplished these days. The other 5 cards were blanketed with my scribbles of, "Have a Merry Christmas and wonderful 2009." I know, very heartfelt. I used to really get into the Christmas cards and writing each person a note. Something had to give.
I'm still reeling from excitement about your announcement yesterday!!
I hear you. On all of it. Pan cookies for Santa will be baked on Monday. Soooo much easier.
I do the photo cards and don't usually write anything personal. I have 3 children now, I don't have time. People don't care what I have to say anyway, they just want to look at the kids.
I do not do thank yous for Christmas. I never have. I'm not sure why. I suppose because most of the time the giver is right there so we thank immediately. If the giver did not see us open, then I would write a thank you.
Although the giver sees the kids open birthday gifts and we always send thank yous for those.
Now my excuse is shot. Dang it.
I like the new look of your blog. It's been a while since I popped in.
Congrats on baby #2!
Ok I gotta go back to cake baking. I got up at 6 am to finish it for my son's 6th b-day party which is today at 10.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
So, so true. My husband has officially abdicated all responsibility for Christmas. Last night I seriously contemplated wrapping MY gifts that he ordered for me that have been sitting in their shipping boxes, no mysteries there, on the living room sofa for four days. Because I like to open presents and I'm afraid it may not happen. Thank you notes. Sigh. While I recognize how important they are, man, I would love it if my husband would say "sweetie pie smoochums, I will handle those this year." Not gonna happen.
We're supposed to send Thank You cards?!?!!
Uh oh.
I don't blame you 1 bit for taking a few shortcuts. I remember the 1st trimester. This insomniac could suddenly fall asleep standing up!
You are so not alone. When we were dating and newly married my husband helped me with everything. Now not so much. He tries sometimes. Short cuts are totally my way this year too after moving and the kids and the pregnancy.
I just gave up sending cards. Horrible, I know. And I don't take gifts to my neighbors. I was hoping the trend would catch on and they would stop bringing stuff to me, too. That way I wouldn't feel so guilty about jilting them. But I have already received several plates of goodies. Dang those nice neighbors! One of these years I'll have to finally give in and reciprocate!
True, true, true. This year my husband even foiled some of MY work - he still doesn't have the garage "how he wants it" from moving in here in June... When I brought up him getting out the boxes of Christmas decorations so I could decorate (and put up the tree etc)... he hemmed and hahhed...
I said, "Nevermind..." and went out and bought a bunch of poinsettias and big red bows to decorate - then found a little one foot tall "christmas tree" in a pot that came with 4 ornaments on it. It's on the coffee table with presents around it!
House looks festive enough :)
Oh - I don't need a formal thank-you sent through the mail (hope this helps!) hehe
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