Christmas Crunch
I realized this morning that most of my posts lately have been about our chickens and guineas and their egg-laying dramas. You're all probably getting pretty bored hearing about poultry, I'm sure. So you want to know what else is going on around here? Let's see . . . snow on the ground . . . cabin fever . . . Yep, that's about it! No wait, I neglected to mention the Christmas Crunch!
Christmas crunch is the pressure that comes from lack of time before Christmas to finish all the preparations. This Christmas is ten times worse because Roy and I made a promise not to spend any money. Well, Roy probably sees it as more of a command than a promise, but whatever. So presents this year will consist of anything we can do or make without spending any money!
My brother joked that I'll be giving away our old broken microwaves and such, but he underestimates our abilities! I would love to brag to you all about the fabulous gifts that our family will be receiving, but they are reading this too! So all bragging will have to wait until next week.
NEXT WEEK! That's right, Christmas is next week. Nine days away. That's really only eight days to finish the presents before they have to be under the tree.
That's where the crunch comes in because homemade gifts take TIME to make. I have to carvetime out of my schedule to do these things. I can't take time away fromchasing the toddler, so I have to take it away from cleaning the house(and it shows!).
Oh, and did I mention that we have family coming to visit? Not just a few, but almost all of Roy's siblings and their children, plus one of his cousins and her kids. I think having such a big gathering is awesome! 21 people! What fun!
And then I remember that we have to cook a few of the meals for all of them . . . I'm already tired just thinking about it. But then, both my Roy and his Dad are great at cooking for large numbers. Both of them are better cooks then myself, too. I'll just stand in the kitchen and take orders. Yep, that's my plan.
By the way, I get anxious easily, especially when there are lots of people to take care of. My motto this Christmas will be "mellow". Keep it low stress. Twenty-one people . . . no problem. Deep breaths.
Last week, I developed a bad attitude about all the stress that comes with Christmas. I said, "Bah-humbug!" to one of my friends. She was appalled and told me that Christmas is the best when you have kids! Of course, I know she's right, but it really drove the point home when I was out with family last weekend and Melise saw a very pretty tree. She was so mesmerized by it's twinkling lights and ornaments that she couldn't even move for ten minutes. She just stood in awe, pointing at it. To her it must seem magical. It warmed my heart and perked me out of my stupor. This will be fabulous Christmas with lots of family to love and creative gifts to share. I can't wait!
Now I have to get back to making those gifts!
Christmas crunch is the pressure that comes from lack of time before Christmas to finish all the preparations. This Christmas is ten times worse because Roy and I made a promise not to spend any money. Well, Roy probably sees it as more of a command than a promise, but whatever. So presents this year will consist of anything we can do or make without spending any money!
My brother joked that I'll be giving away our old broken microwaves and such, but he underestimates our abilities! I would love to brag to you all about the fabulous gifts that our family will be receiving, but they are reading this too! So all bragging will have to wait until next week.
NEXT WEEK! That's right, Christmas is next week. Nine days away. That's really only eight days to finish the presents before they have to be under the tree.
That's where the crunch comes in because homemade gifts take TIME to make. I have to carvetime out of my schedule to do these things. I can't take time away fromchasing the toddler, so I have to take it away from cleaning the house(and it shows!).
Oh, and did I mention that we have family coming to visit? Not just a few, but almost all of Roy's siblings and their children, plus one of his cousins and her kids. I think having such a big gathering is awesome! 21 people! What fun!
And then I remember that we have to cook a few of the meals for all of them . . . I'm already tired just thinking about it. But then, both my Roy and his Dad are great at cooking for large numbers. Both of them are better cooks then myself, too. I'll just stand in the kitchen and take orders. Yep, that's my plan.
By the way, I get anxious easily, especially when there are lots of people to take care of. My motto this Christmas will be "mellow". Keep it low stress. Twenty-one people . . . no problem. Deep breaths.
Last week, I developed a bad attitude about all the stress that comes with Christmas. I said, "Bah-humbug!" to one of my friends. She was appalled and told me that Christmas is the best when you have kids! Of course, I know she's right, but it really drove the point home when I was out with family last weekend and Melise saw a very pretty tree. She was so mesmerized by it's twinkling lights and ornaments that she couldn't even move for ten minutes. She just stood in awe, pointing at it. To her it must seem magical. It warmed my heart and perked me out of my stupor. This will be fabulous Christmas with lots of family to love and creative gifts to share. I can't wait!
Now I have to get back to making those gifts!
Posted by Susan at December 16, 2009 
Categories: Rural Living
Tags: family money stress homemade christmas spend tree kid home made gift
Categories: Rural Living
Tags: family money stress homemade christmas spend tree kid home made gift
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