I used to love sending out Christmas cards. I loved all of it - getting the perfect photo, ordering the cards (and in recent years making my cards), writing up the annual Christmas letter, addressing the envelopes, stamping them and getting them into the mail. Before kids, they were in the mail on Thanksgiving weekend. After kids, it was the first week in December. This year though it just feels like this overwhelming task that I haven't the slightest desire to accomplish. I even thought about skipping it all together this year - it felt like a huge stress reliever just to think about not doing them at all.
But then....I felt a little guilty. I didn't want the kids to wonder why there was no photo card in this years Christmas book. So - we managed to get some timer-photo taken and I put together a card. I am skipping the annual letter though - I just don't want to do it this year. Maybe next year. Maybe not. Who knows. I sent out all the ones to family last night. I still need to work on ones to friends. I'm in no rush though - for some reason, this year it just isn't on the top of my "To Do" list. And you know what? That feels totally ok. I have a card to put away for the kids and if the rest don't get sent, well....they don't get sent.
This year, I want to do more enjoying of the holiday season and less stressing over things. I don't want to miss my son's excitement as he continually thinks of things he should ask Santa for. I was glad I had the time to watch him write his first ever letter to Santa. I loved having fun decorating the tree with the kids (usually this is something I'd totally be ok just rushing through for the sake of getting it done but this year I wanted to listen to their squeals of delight and excitement and I wanted to see their eyes opened wide in wonder. And I did and it was great!) and I loved just having really fun family time with my family.
Christmas cards, well...the lack of...seems a small price to pay to just be able to be in the moment with my family.
Monday, December 10, 2007
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3 comments:
I have a 2 year old and a 9 months old, so finding the time for Christmas cards is tough! I ended up taking a picture of the two of them with Santa hats on and uploading it to Shutterfly. I took all of 1 hour to have my cards made and ordered, which helped alleviate some of the stress that comes along with the holiday season.
Anna
Author of The Wise Mommy
Christmas cards are such an effort when you have kids. I remember when the whole festive season was a relaxed affair full of drinks parties and romantic, frosty strolls.
This is the first Christmas after separating from my husband, so it is extra poignant for everyone. I have mustered the energy to make the flat warm and Christmassy though, and the kids love it.
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