The Season Broken Down

From November 1- December 1 I LOVE Christmas.  I spend November 1- Thanksgiving anxiously awaiting the music, the food, the decorations.   I love looking at Pinterest and getting ideas for how I'll decorate this year. I like to decorate my house.  I like having it feel cozy and homey.  Nothing like Christmas lights to do just that.

I make myself wait until Thanksgiving before listening to the music or decorating.  It's one of the few times in my life when I actually have self discipline.  I tell myself I am waiting until Thanksgiving because that's the actual start date, and that's the rule. But deep down I know that if I start too early- I'll be completely and thoroughly sick of Christmas, by December 10. 

After Thanksgiving, I am thinking about Christmas presents and shopping.  Depending on our financial situation- I'm feeling good . . . or bad.  I'm either shopping and loving it- or dreading it.  I'm also thinking about the Christmas card.  Do I bother sending one?  Not sending one feels like a bad habit starting, and I like the tradition of sending actual mail to friends and family. This is also the portion of the holiday where I just love the decorations.  I have friends that take their tree down on December 26.  This portion of the holiday- between Thanksgiving and when my Winter Break starts- I want my Christmas decorations up all year. 

Then there's the period of time when  my break starts.  The first few days are a rush.  Hurry and finish up shopping, bake, clean and  . . . worry.  I'm in the worry phase.  I have 2 more days of worrying.  Did I spend too much?  Did I get what they wanted?  Maybe they would like __________?  Should I go get . . . ?  I've said I'm done, but now I'm seeing so many things I think they would like!  GAHHHH.  It's so hard to practice self- discipline now.  I have none left.  I used it all up waiting for Christmas.  Now I need it to hurry up and be over, so I can stop worrying, over-spending, and over-eating.  These are the days when I understand why my friends who take their tree down directly after Christmas, do so.  I get it.  I need to cleanse: my gut and my house.  And even though I'm starting to feel a little over it . . . I'll do it all again next year because Christmas is the BEST!!!!!!

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