How can Thanksgiving be next week when I've still got flowers blooming in the pots on my patio? It is awfully hard to think turkey, pumpkin pie, and mailing all those darn Christmas cards when the temps are still relatively balmy.And while I'm not knocking the warm weather, I just have this feeling that Christmas is gonna sneak up on me--kinda like that monster in my closet who's been hiding there all these years. I still can't sleep with my closet door open.
I sorta dread this time of year--it is the quiet before the storm. It's the time when we should be preparing for Christmas, but you don't want to ruin the spirit of Thanksgiving. So, you start making your lists, order your cards, and perhaps buy a few presents here and there--you know, to kind of get an edge on the holiday madness. But you keep remembering Thanksgiving and you try not to feel guilty for pushing past it.
This starting early never really works, though. You still rush about in traffic picking up that gift you forgot, or buy that decoration that you just have to have. There is that tree that has to be cut or picked off the lot. There are decorations to put up and gifts to be wrapped. It's such madness, isn't it? And an awful lot of work.
Why do we do this? Why do we fuss with putting lights on the house for this one time of year? Why not summer when the snow and ice doesn't prevent us from taking down what nearly killed us putting up? Why do we suddenly have to put up all these decorations all over the house and send everyone a fancy card? Why do we have to buy every single person we know a gift and go to a cabillion holiday parties? And why do we have to do all of this at once?
It's insane this holiday stuff. And for all that I do to prepare, it is never enough. So, I'm gonna go hang with the pansies on the porch for as long as I can. I'm gonna cling to the warm and this period of quiet anticipation. I'm still laughing at frogs who pop their heads up in the water--still not hibernating.
Maybe they are the smart ones--they duck under and go to sleep just when the rest of us are gearing up for the craziest time of year. And they sleep the holidays and long winter away. Sounds like a good deal to me.
Move over frogs.
22 comments:
Yep hard to believe Thanksgiving is next week. Hasn't felt like it-whatever it feels like.
La, la, la.... I am not hearing the Christmas word. We are having thousands of people over for Thanksgiving (well not thousands but a lot)
We stopped putting up outside Christmas lights quite a few years ago. I like to think of it as conserving energy. :)
Besides, our neighbours seem to put up enough lights (think of the Griswolds in Christmas Vacation...) that the colors bounce off of our house and give it a glow anyways! Haha!
And if you use reusable gift bags (again, good for the environment) there isn't all that wrapping to do nor paper wasted at the end of the year.
Next, buy your Christmas baking at a local charity bake sale. You are 'giving' and then getting all the yummy things that you then don't have to spend time baking.
And for the gifts for everyone? Draw names.
Christmas only gets as 'mad' as you let it ~ don't you think? So sit back and relax beside your beautiful pansies a little longer while enjoying a 'beverage' of choice.. chill out... look at how much time I saved you!!! ;)
Happy Tuesday Lin!
xo Catherine
You wrapped up the holiday madness in a few short paragraphs. And yet it rather stirs me to think about maybe starting to think about preparations!
Sigh...I used to feel so excited about the holidays but the last couple years the over doing it of the season doesn't appeal to me any more.I have been able to simplify our holidays..to me they are the better for it.
I agree with lifeshighway...la la la...I can't hear you...fingers are in my ears!! LOL
I agree with the froggies...I need to just hibernate and sleep away the madness that is The Holidays!! UGH!
Good Thing that I have learned to downsize alot...I don't put up as many decorations, I don't overdo it with the baking, cooking, shopping, etc. That way, I am not a "grumpy gus" by the time Christmas actually does get here! HA! :)
We don't celebrate Christmas-- well, we sing carols and have a quiet meal, but no gifts, no hype. We celebrate Thanksgiving Day as our main holiday of the year, and what a difference. We exchange a gift, have a nice meal, enjoy each others' company. It's so peaceful with no stress!
It was hard to make the transition at first, especially with everyone around us making Christmas as their big thing. But I'm a bit of a social rebel-- in our country's history, Thanksgiving was always the big holiday, and few celebrated Christmas (and the founding fathers saw Christmas as "popish"- that is, a Catholic holiday of licentiousness. Christmas wasn't overtly celebrated in this country until after Queen Victoria made it popular in the late 1800s). The only folks to make out real good for Christmas are the merchants... the rest of us suffer depression, go into debt, and are stressed out! So I revolted against it all. I'm going to celebrate Thanksgiving, haha! I'm not in the pond, but I do hibernate during Christmas. It's a wonderful thing! ;)
But whatever you do, I hope you don't get stressed out. No holiday is worth it. Take care.
While hanging with the pansies scream out "long live the turkey,long live the pilgrims". . .Christmas can certainly wait. It is around my place!
Our Thanksgiving is in early October, so we are already preparing for the Christmas season up here! I agree with Catherine, it's only as crazy as you let it get. I told myself years ago, that I will not stress about the holidays, I want to enjoy the time with family and friends. So I never go near a mall in December, my shopping is always done by then. I prefer spending a few days in December, wrapping my gifts and relaxing with a glass of wine!
It seems I am a frog. I don't do the holidays. This year I am sending my husband off to Boston for Thanksgiving. He can eat all that "white people's food" that I never cook plus see his grandson. Me and the kitties will be home by ourselves and just fine with it.
Christmas - ah, another bummer for my poor husband. Last year I got him a Charlie Brown Christmas tree and that will be the extent of the decorating. I will send perhaps 4 or 5 cards. Gifts? Only for my brother and my husband. And even then, you get to our ages and what is there really that anyone needs or wants. Me, I won't be receiving any gifts, yet again. That sucks but really, what do I need or want?
I think having friends and family is what drives the holiday frenetic, I have neither.
Just stating the facts here, not looking for any "poor, baby".
Count me in on the hibernation. Sheesh...you're right...it's tough not just with all of the things you listed for Christmas but with Thanksgiving so close to it? Forget about it!
But I get to munch a Christmas tree and for that I can't wait
I don't really have the hustle and bustle part of the holidays that some do. It's me and my husband. His kids live a ways away, we get together with his parents usually the week before and my daughter is in Colorado. My son is the only one who is around here. It's actually a pretty quiet time for me. Rather nice :)
Between a trip to Disneyland this weekend, then Thanksgiving followed by a week's visit from my mom, a 3 day craft show and then a week's visit from my dad, I'm so not ready for the next 3-4 weeks! Plus my boss is already printing out tax organizers and getting us ready for tax season. She's a Scrooge with a capital S and tries to ruin the holidays for the rest of us every year. I hope one day I can truly sit back and just enjoy the spirit of the holidays without stress.
I do have gifts already bought for the furbabies though! :)
My word verification is 'drednes' - kind of appropriate for me!
I added myself to follow your blog. You are more than welcome to visit mine and become a follower if you want to.
God Bless You :-)
~Ron
I have it made. I am the ultimate grouch. I just don't do any of it any more. Humph!
Helene--It has officially snuck up on me, pally. ugh. And the only reason I don't like it is because Christmas madness is coming! EEEK!
Highway--Take it one holiday at a time, pally. Just one at a time.
Catherine--I do it in stages and I don't go too nuts. Thanks for the ideas, I think I will use some of them! :) I like to add some fun stuff in there too--to make it nice.
Vanilla--I am officially freaking out!
Melodie--You're right. Simplifying is the key. Every year I try to make it easier and less stressful.
A.Marie--I also try to mix in some things where we are forced to relax and just enjoy the season. On the schedule is The Nutcracker with the CYSO. :)
Rebecca--WOW! You are hardcore, pally! Good for you, fighting the power!!
Jodi--I'm waiting too and enjoying Thanksgiving. :)
Hot rocks--I usually try to shop outside of the mall because I hate the madness. I used to be done shopping by Thanksgiving, now, not so much. Ugh.
Grace--Oh, that makes me sad! I'm gonna have to send you a Kautz Family Christmas Card, Grace. Send me your address, please. You need SOME holiday cheer.
Nancy--I wish it was spread out a bit. Jodi and I don't like that Thanksgiving is sort of rushed over between Halloween and Christmas. That's sad.
Pricilla--Hee! Hee! Yum--pine breath!
Ann--It's sort of quiet here too, but it is the traffic and the shopping that is insane! Even if I just want to buy shampoo, the lines are CRAZY. I don't like that part.
Beaded Tail--What is with your boss? What an idiot. The Disney trip sounds like fun though. Have a mickey ice cream bar for me!!
Old Geezer--Hi, new pally! I will be sure to check out your blog too. Hope you enjoy your visit here at the Duck and Wheel. Hope we don't scare you off. :0
Sharky--Really?? Not ANY of it???! I do a little--you know, the tree, the train, the lights, etc. I like a bit of it. I just don't like the crowds at the stores when I need deodorant.
It must be crazy to have so many celebrations just weeks apart. Christmas is kinda quiet here. It's the long holidays having the boys at home all day that's driving me nuts!!
Veronica--I envy you. I really do. I miss my son being in the house driving me nuts. Now it is Joe and I most nights and it's too quiet. IF you can believe that. Just plug your ears and enjoy it, pally.
I wish I still had flowers blooming in pots on my porch. Instead we have had snow for a week or so straight... It doesn't feel like it should be Thanksgiving here next week instead if feels like it should be Christmas with all of this snow!
Thanksgiving snuck up on me... Christmas will hit like a snowball to the face when you have your heard turned. Enjoy the lovely pansies, it will be all over soon... much to soon:)
Stephanie--Oh YUCK! But I'll bet the dogs love it, eh??
Jennifer--No kidding. I'm enjoying those last few flowers as long as I can--it's supposed to flurry tomorrow. :(
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