I’m such a perpetual holiday slacker, every year.
No, really. I have grandiose visions like sugar plum fairies dancing in my head, and then I always end up dropping the ball somewhere. Or at least feeling like I’ve dropped the ball.
“The ball” has some high expectations, and I’m not sure I’m up for playing that game.
It’s someone’s gift I need to remember, or decorating outside that falls by the wayside. Or running this way and that for each errand on top of to do lists and chores. They really are compounded on one another in attempts to please others.
The list is growing, and I’m still wondering where on earth did summer go?
The irony is never lost on me that it’s this time of year that I want to be still. More than any other time. Just be. And when I regain my own center, really focus on those that are having a hard time right now or serve more in ways that really matter.
I think that was the original intention of this holiday. But it’s almost as if our culture demands more busy for the sake of busy.
So I keep fighting back, harder.
With more pajama days and clearer boundaries and just being present in the moment with my children and family. And giving back where it matters.
Someone asked me the other day if I had any tips for decorating for the holidays. My response?
There’s a Christmas tree in my kitchen.
There is no right or wrong way. And sometimes, your tree just has to go exactly where it needs to go… to the left of your Frigidaire.
It works for us, and it’s what we do.
Kind of like the holidays.
With the back addition in-progress, I actually thought I’d put my tree in a different place this year. I was silly to think we’d be finished by the holidays, months ago. But we decided to put it on hold basically for the very reasons I’m mentioning above. And yet, here we are.
With a Christmas tree in our kitchen.
And guess what?
We’re still the jolliest bunch of elves this side of the nuthouse. ** name that movie – edited for appropriate audiences **
I don’t know why, but said movie just gets funnier to me each year.
Probably because I relate to it more? I know that I tend to have silly expectations this time of year, and the older I get, I love dropping that ball. It’s actually a total relief.
So while we usually do a traditional Christmas tour of our house, just know that this year, this is what I’m sharing.
Beyond the pretty pics, {which took a lot of work to stage because real life} there are still places that are un-done with good intentions that fell by the wayside. There’s dog hair all over the floor, the outside probably won’t be finished because it became miserably rainy and cold, and I’m always drowning in laundry.
Because at the end of the day, we all know pretty pictures aren’t what this holiday is about.
And something tells me that’s not what you’re {exclusively} here for, anyway.
Get the errands done.
Check off your to do lists.
But also?
Eat some cookies and get in some extra snuggles.
And say no to a few more of those ‘filler’ things. For the LOVE.
Because something tells me that when your kiddos get older, they don’t really remember that latest and greatest gift, or if the laundry was always put away on time. Or that meeting that you attended out of total guilt.
All those social events and lists and things to make everyone else happy… those can wait.
Don’t misunderstand me. We don’t think we’ve gotten it right.
Our kids, they’ll probably have a laundry list of what we did wrong.
But they’ll also hopefully remember what we did together.
The few things we did right.
And that it’s okay, more than anything, to just be.
So decorated or not,
grandiose or simple…
Crazy or low key…
We hope that you have the most incredible next three weeks that you can with your very favorite people.
That you’re able to step back, take a deep breath, and remember what really matters to you.
And what this season really is about.
And know that if everything doesn’t happen all at once, and if every obligatory expectation isn’t totally met, that’s okay too.
It’s about being grateful, loving yours, and those around you. Whatever that means to you.
Not your passive aggressive neighbor’s idea of Christmas. Not your super peppy gym friend’s idea. Not your church friend’s idea of Christmas. Not your sister’smother’suncle’sdog’sbrother’s idea.
Yours.
So this is our list this year:
Something for someone who really needs it.
A little less pressure, a little more down time
And a lot more of those cookies.
Because snuggles and cookies and thinking beyond ourselves… those are things that are good for the soul.
So yes. There’s a Christmas tree in my kitchen.
And I wouldn’t have it any other {totally imperfect} way.
Cheers to your holiday and whatever it looks like… and lots of hugs to you.
Anna says
I love this and I love your little tour of sorts đ thank you for the reminder
Lucy says
Gorgeous!
Anika says
Perfect! You articulated exactly what my heart has been feeling these past couple of weeks. I’m going to put down the decorations, stop thinking about the “shoulds” & go get some extra snuggles in with the people I do all this for in the first place! Thank you for the reminder…and the permission. Happy holidays to you & your sweet family!
Kathleen says
Yes to all of this ! Thank you , wishing you lots of cookies and snuggles with your loved ones. I am looking forward to downtime over our winter break too !
Sarah K says
I love your Christmas tree kitchen, and thank you for the encouragement to slow down and enjoy this time of year. I’m trying!
Nicole says
Yes! đŻ yes! I think that the true beauty of the season lies in the â imperfectâ who says a tree has to be big? Or perfect? Or in the living/family room?
I decided a few years ago when I was hugely pregnant with #5 that less is more, so now each Thanksgiving we sit down as a family and everyone picks 1 thing they think is a â mustâ for the holidays and it gets put on the calendar
We also committed Sunday to â Family Reset Dayâ and never schedule anything besides that
Itâs our â day of restâ
More self care is needed in this crazy busy world I love that you guys keep it real!
Rita Joy says
Oh, I love absolutely everything about this post…Thank you.â¤ď¸