Overwhelmed at Christmas

Overwhelmed at Christmas

It is the first day of December and I am already feeling overwhelmed by Christmas.

Rather, by the idea of Christmas anyway.

It is not just the shopping, the wrapping, the cooking, the tree and the entertaining that is making my brain spin; it is also all the parties, all the prosecco and all the emails from the PTA.

I spent most of this morning working, and then all of this afternoon faffing about on the internet looking for donkey costumes, researching mulled wine recipes and devising a rota for our class stall at the school Christmas fair.

I know I *could* make a costume for the Winter Production, but my problem is that I do not have a clue where to start! Besides, if a problem can be solved with money, then it’s not a problem, but an expense… said someone once, probably at Christmas time, and this seemed like an apt moment to quote him/her.

After throwing a few quid at a hideous donkey garment that will probably never be worn again, I remembered that I still need to dream up 24 mischievous deeds to blame on the little elf who arrives to stay with us today.  I am hoping the best of my creative juices will come out with the last of the wine.

We had a bit of a ceremonious switching on of the fairy lights after school pick-up today (well, I plugged them in) but I wondered if perhaps I should make more effort to create a more festive feel in the house.  Our tree always goes up around the Greek God(zilla)’s birthday next week, but maybe I could twist a Christmas garland up the stairs as well, or perhaps drape some tinsel around the mirrors… cue 30-minutes lost on Pinterest searching for ‘tinsel over mirror’ inspiration.

Problem with Pinterest is that now I also have images of pretty homemade advent calendars in my head and our Dairy Milk snowman is looking a bit naff in comparison.

DAMN YOU INTERNET!

As if by magic, our internet then went down right in the middle of a crucial gift purchase, so I am now convinced that Google really does hear EVERYTHING. Or, my bank manager does.

I love Christmas, but why can’t I just enjoy the best bits like time spent with family, the songs, the thoughtful presents and the buckets of red wine, blissfully unaware of all the other crap?

You know, just like my husband does.

*****

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5 Comments

  1. December 2, 2014 / 8:35 AM

    What a brilliant final line!
    No it’s just not up to the man is it?
    Hope you get over the overwhelmed bit and get back to the fun bit.
    X

  2. December 2, 2014 / 12:40 PM

    I hear you! It really is my favourite time of year but today while sitting in the car waiting for school to get out I had a slight meltdown. So many social events, so many things I’ve said yes to that maybe I should have said no to some. I’m co-hosting my first ever Christmas this year at a friends house and I’m already getting cold sweats about all the cooking I have to do and whether people will enjoy the day. I’m hoping to just get them all plastered so they’ll think the food tastes great no matter what. It’s a great time of year but also busy, hectic and full on! Bring on January 2015!

  3. December 3, 2014 / 6:17 PM

    Yes. The 1st December hits and everything goes crazy. I’m having my own meltdown about advent calendars. The mornings have just become more hideous as we debate how many doors they can open. JUST ONE! Countdown to Christmas? Countdown to nervous breakdown more like…

  4. December 3, 2014 / 8:48 PM

    Here here. Why can’t we? I feel your pain. Next year focus on the bits that make your heart soar and leave the rest. Let everyone else have the stress.

  5. December 13, 2014 / 9:53 AM

    I used to massively stress over making Christmas perfect that I never enjoyed it. Now I do zero Christmas cards. We get the tree from the school (at the end of our road), we use the same decorations we’ve had since we moved back to the UK 4 years ago and we let L decorate the tree her way – it looks crazy but it’s her tree too. I only go to the Christmas drinks and dos that I really want to go to. And now I have a fab festive season each year 🙂 Good luck with taking the stress out of xmas xx

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