Normally I dread the holidays, especially Christmas. The stores ALWAYS put the decorations out way too early and start playing Christmas music on Halloween. That is exactly why I don't like Christmas music. It doesn't matter where you go, the local pharmacy, walmart, target, boutiques, doctor's offices, even hunting & fishing stores...the Christmas music is playing. And most of the time, it doesn't matter what radio station you listen to, either.
Now, I used to be the kind of person that had every nook and crannie decorated w/ Christmas nick nacks. It would take me hours to unpack and put up in just the right place. The tree (artifical) had to be perfectly decorated w/ about a thousand white lights along with every Christmas ornament I could find and a star on top. Every window had a beautifully docorated wreath on it positioned perfectly. The mailbox even had some Christmas ribbon on it. Once all that was set up, I couldn't wait for Christmas to get here. The joy of opening those gifts and seeing the faces of those you loved because they got just what they were wanting. Then the agony of having to put all those decorations back up until the next year.
Well, reality set in a few years back. I no longer have the time nor want to spend time decking my house out in all that "stuff" when I could be putting my time towards something else....like spending it with my daughter. So, last year, we decided to have a real tree for the very first time ever!! It was a little bit of a hassle to have to make sure it had plenty of water, but we LOVED it!! I still decorate it in white lights, but now my ornaments consist mostly of things my daughter has made over the years. I cherish being able to pull those items out every year and let her put them on our tree. I don't get stressed out if the ornaments aren't spaced perfectly or aren't facing foward. Once the tree is decorated, then goes the wreath on the front door. And that, my dear, is our decorations. My daughter and I decided that we don't need all those fancy decorations to be happy.
Every since my daughter was born, I have gone overboard on showering her w/ Christmas gifts. She always has gotten tons and tons of stuff. So much so, that the past couple years, it has taken her a couple days just to go through them all. Well, a light bulb went off last year...."mom, your buying her way too many things!". Besides the fact that she can't open them all on Christmas, she just doesn't have the room for all those things in her bedroom. So, this year....I have decided to skim that list down dramatically!!
And I've also decided that I'm going to be completely done shopping by mid-October. And...I've almost got that accomplished! YAY me!! Just a couple more things for my daughter and my boyfriend's daughter and then I'm done!! Already done shopping for my boyfriend (great surprises for him). And I ordered most of the stuff online. Ahhh, the ease and joy of shopping from your computer. No need to fight the cold weather, those crowds of swinging arms, cursing mouths, angry mobs, and long lines only to get a gift you're really not sure that someone special will even like or want. Plus, buying it now, pretty much guarantees that the item will be in stock and that it will be delivered to my door.
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