Christmas is a special time for me. Being born around this holiday, I have a special fondness for the month of December. But December is quickly slipping past me. I am running around like a chicken without a head. Every moment is either scheduled or spent trying to catch up on all that needs to be done. My house is a mess. I haven’t even begun my Christmas shopping.
What’s more, I have a company party tomorrow night and haven’t even thought about what dress I will wear to it. As for the SHOES, that will be another problem; I don’t want to jeopardize my foot healing but I, also don’t want to look funny.
We have a little kickback family thing that we do. DD has already inquired on the “plan” to verify that the seemingly simple traditions will occur. New ornaments for the year (1 per family member) opened on Christmas Eve, presents and “Dad’s (Tom) breakfast”, a family hike, and a nice steak dinner. I have much to do just to get prepare for it. Namely, the presents still need to be purchased.
In the meantime, my Little Sis’ called today to say that Big Sis’ is coming down Christmas day for dinner at her house. She wanted me to drop my plans and come too. I refused. That probably took me right off of her Christmas card list. She said that Christmas was “supposed to be a Family holiday”. I agreed, but told her that for me that meant my immediate family.
This isn’t a new thing that I have instilled; I have had this going for at least the past 15 years. In addition, I already told Big Sis’, on Monday, that I would not come on December 25th. I had suggested that we go for a brunch on the 26th, since Big Sis’ insisted that this was the only days off that they had. I guess she didn’t like that idea. So, they will have Christmas dinner without me – that is just fine. I told Little Sis’ that we “might” stop by during the day for a visit but would NOT be staying for dinner.
Is it so wrong to want a day to be home?
With all of the stress of working and parenting, I just want:
– one day to not have a set schedule of appointments to keep,
– to just sit around in a mess of wrapping paper and toys,
– and watch the kids play.
Selfish?
Maybe, but that is what I want for Christmas.
A little kid-free time to go shopping would be nice too.
Getting what I want is important, sometimes. Helping somebody else, especially a family member, get what they want, priceless.
You do what you need to do. Big family gatherings can be nice but they can be stressful, too and who needs the aggravation?
Our new tradition is that we just invite all of our friends to stop by when they can. We make party food (chips, dip, etc) and have wine and hot cider and just chill. So much easier than the whole big meal/big deal plan.
Enjoy!