83 Days Until....

Christmas!  Yes, I am counting down. 

Yesterday, though, someone asked me, "Why are counting down the days until Christmas already?" It was asked not entirely in a rude way, but asked in an almost accusatory tone, as if I had violated some terms of service of which I was unaware.  Instead of being taken aback by the delivery of the question, it actually got me to thinking clearly about why I like to count down, not just to Christmas, but the entire holiday season. 

I have learned that if I want to fully enjoy the season (from Thanksgiving all the way through Christmas) I have to be organized ahead of time. I love everything about Thanksgiving and Christmas - except the stress and busyness.  My solution is to do as much as possible before the season begins.  I want my decorating done early and most, if not all, of my shopping done and wrapped early.  I like menus planned and parties scheduled.

Doing much of the prep. ahead of time, frees me to enjoy the best part of the season...the people and the celebration of Jesus' birth. 

I want to be free to share special times with my family... baking, doing crafts, watching Christmas movies or reading Christmas stories... without feeling a to-do list a mile long weighing on my shoulders.  Taking care of the holiday stresses BEFORE the holiday arrives, frees us to have friends over, go to parties, attend Christmas concerts or just head out simply to drive around and enjoy the sights of the season. All the preplanning and organizing actually allows us to be spontaneous during the holidays because there is no pressure to get this or that done.  We are free to savor the fleeting moments of this special time.  I don't want my children's memories of the holiday season to revolve around a cranky Mom who seems frazzled and stressed out and ready to get Christmas over and done with. 

So, it may seem bizarre to some that I start thinking and planning so far in advance, but it makes our Christmas less stressful and we make more memories with our friends and family.

Have you checked your calendar today?

In case you didn't know, it is exactly 4 months until Christmas!  It will be upon us with all its majesty and misery before we know what happened.

Just for the record, I love Christmas.  Actually, I love all holidays with the giant holiday season of Thanksgiving and Christmas just about taking the cake for excitement in my household.  I have found, for us to have a memorable and not too miserable holiday season, it does take preparation and forethought - translated to mean: WE HAVE TO HAVE A PLAN. 

Getting shopping  and decorating done early helps in that context for my family.  I like to get all the "have to dos" done early so we can fully enjoy the "want to dos".   It feels impossible to enjoy the deeper meaning of the season if we are stressed out and running to and fro. I have to start planning - a bit at a time - so I can enjoy things like baking cookies with my children, or going to see Santa, or spending a relaxing night at church listening to a beautiful Christmas program (without that overwhelming feeling of dread that things are behind!).

I also don't like shopping under pressure and the December shopping season is just too high stakes for me!  I do like going to the mall and stores to enjoy the ambiance of the holidays.  I like to take advantage to the often great sales, but I want to do it at my luxury and not under the weight of "I have to get this or that". 

This year, we will be spending Christmas in our new home and our new town. We will be farther away from family than in recent years, so one thing DH and I have already done to reduce stress is that we have pulled out our calendar(s) and planned when we will travel during the holidays. We have also already communicated with our respective families our plans. Also, we have penciled in as many activities as we already have dates for (office parties, last day of school for the children, theatre holiday shows, etc.). These steps are a huge help and help to lower the stress and avoid hurt feelings during an already emotion holiday time.  

I am not exactly sure what the season will look like for us, but I know I want it to be a time of making wonderful family memories and celebrating God's greatest gift.  So, with 4 months to go, I am starting my list and will be checking it twice and watching out for who is naughty and who is nice.