However for me it has become a season of complete and utter stress.
I have some huge shoes to fill as my mom is a Christmas Queen. It is her favorite holiday and she has all the decorations, and yummy eats. I have for years thought that I had to share that love and perfection.
With all my personal growth this year I have come to know that I am me and I don't have to be perfect and I don't have to be like those before me.
This year we have decided to really downsize Christmas and try for quiet and calm Christmas. Well it is kinda working.
The first step that we did was decided to do a handmade Christmas gift exchange. We each drew a name and we had to make that person a gift. For me this was super easy and I really enjoyed watching my children plan and make their gifts. I will admit that the three other members of my family have waited to the last minute and are starting to stress about it.
The next thing that I am doing is not including a letter in my Christmas cards. I am hand writing cards and each card will have a handwritten message in it. Also I have cut down on who I am sending cards too.
I am also not doing a lot of Christmas baking. Gingersnaps, butter tarts and birthday cake ( Grandma in law on the 22 and our son on the 31).
We also downsized our decorations. Just the few that we truly love and have value to us.
The only part that is still stressful for me is the actual Christmas day planning. We have company coming to stay with us that we have not seen in 3 years and it is becoming a juggling game trying to plan all the gatherings.
I love to entertain and would love to have a day in the holidays where my family ad friends can all gather in my home and share the joy for the real reason for the season. well maybe next year.