It seems like it was just yesterday when I was sitting down with family and friends to enjoy our Thanksgiving feast. And now Christmas is only two short days away.
Which is my cue to start panicking.
As you may have guessed, I’m not ready. I still have presents to buy, not to mention wrap, and scores of Christmas cards left to mail. And we’re not going to even talk about the fact that the tree isn’t up yet.
It’s true to form, really. But please have the decency to at least act surprised.
Oh, I started the holiday season with all kinds of grandiose plans to have my shopping done by mid-December at the latest. I set an even earlier goal for the tree, which was slated for assembly and decoration three weeks ago. Ditto the cards.
I also had intentions of baking batch after batch of Christmas cookies, and whipping up some of the chocolate merlot truffles my friends and family have been clamoring for since I last made them. In 2001.
I planned to make them last year, too. Even purchased all the necessary ingredients and festive little tins to package them in. Still have it all too. Well, except for the merlot, of course, which we uncorked months ago.
In the interest of time – and my sanity – I’ve scratched these tasks from my Christmas to-do list once again. I know. I’m a failure and a disappointment. But, really, you didn’t need all those extra calories anyway. I’m actually doing you a favor.
The Christmas cards, on the other hand, weren’t a total wash. I did manage to get at least a couple of dozen out before my self-imposed deadline. But then there was a bit of a mix-up, you see. I lost my ‘sent’ list. And with the chaos my life has been these last few weeks, I couldn’t figure out who I’d sent cards to and which ones I had left to write.
But don’t worry, I have a plan. It involves sending the rest of my holiday greetings and my wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year via Facebook.
And I’ve got the shopping covered, too. I’ll be able to cross the most pressing items (i.e. the ones which actually have to be under the tree on Christmas morning) off my list this very afternoon, by making the rounds of our local merchants. The out-of-towners on my list will just have to wait until after the Christmas rush. (Don’t worry. They’re used to it.)
We’ll have the tree sorted in short order, too. I found out yesterday that the Tennessee contingent of our family is heading this way today. I can’t wait to see them! Plus, this means they can decorate the tree while I’m at work tomorrow. Hooray. I love delegating.
Having my brother and his family here has become a Christmas tradition for us. My niece Madison is now 9, so we all get to experience the holiday through a child’s eyes once more. It truly is magic.
So, yes, I’ll spend the next couple of days scrambling, but it will all be worth it to spend this special day with those I love. I hope you get to do the same.
We’ll miss my brother Ken and his family, and my sister Trish as well, who weren’t able to make it this year. They’ll be with us in spirit, I know. The same goes for my beautiful niece Jessica and nephew John in Florida and all of our extended family and many friends scattered across the globe.
Here is to wishing them, and you, a very wonderful holiday.
Merry Christmas!

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