OK, I cannot speak for anyone else, but I'm down to the short rows. However, this is always the most angst filled time of the holidays for me. What did I forget? Who did I forget. I can rest assured there several unavoidable "issues" that lurk about, such as:
- That one person I forgot to get something for.
- Damn, I got a Christmas card from my Father's second cousin, Maude. Naturally she was not on my card list this year. Here's the conundrum - if I send her one now, will her feelings be hurt that she was originally left off the list? Should I just tell a little story (my mother's term for a white lie) that I was late getting my cards out. Actually, not an entire non-truth given I was late getting HER card out.
- Someone on my list will enviably tell me about the best Gift they got this year - naturally the one I had selected for them which is currently wrapped under the Christmas tree.
- When I spilled water on a few of the gifts while watering the tree, the ink on the tags smeared. Of course those would be on boxes all the same size. No way to know which present was for whom. Choices - I could open each box, figure out who it was intended for then re wrap it or just randomly distribute them with the caveat that this year I was spontaneous. While pondering my choices it dawns on me, I'm not even sure who any of the gifts are for. Does this mean I need to check each other gift against my list to see who is left that these mystery gifts may be for? Maybe gift cards are a better idea than I thought.
- Do I need to eat the entire box of Christmas cookies (not at the same time mind you) to get them out of the way? Otherwise, I will be tempted and I don't need those calories.
- Where in the Hell did I put those precious Christmas towels I found on sale this past summer?
- While in the kitchen preparing to make the loaf of bread I promised to bring to the get together this afternoon, I find I only have 3 cups of flour, not the 8 I need. The thought of fighting the crowds at the grocery store one more time is nauseating. Option 2? This is when I regret eating all the cookies.
- But the worse is when I realize there are only 3 days until Christmas and I have been so wrapped up (no pun intended) in getting ready, I have missed a lot of the holiday season.
The solution to all this: stop and smell the Christmas tree - after all there was a reason for buying a fresh one, send that last Minute card - it will be a glad tiding for someone, taste the eggnog, accept the invitations to gatherings - or not, if you feel overwhelmed, and most of all, stop and enjoy the season - it only comes once a year.
