It seemed like everyone in our neighborhood put up all their Xmas lights and went out and got a tree that weekend after Thanksgiving. I guess that's the rule right? Wait until Thanksgiving, then it's a mad dash to Christmas getting everything done: get a Christmas tree and wreath, put up decorations and buy new ones, make or order Xmas cards, stamp/stuff/label/lick 125 envelopes, put up outside lights, make a list and go shopping.
We tried to find new lights and a timer but they are sold out everywhere. And the one perfect gift that I wanted to get for someone was no where to be found. Online shopping? Better be done at least a week before Xmas or it won't ship in time, not to mention the cost of shipping a heavy package to Canada with a guaranteed delivery date. Thank goodness we don't go to the mall, that would be a headache and a half.
Why don't I start thinking about it before Thanksgiving? Well I guess this year it was because I was busy planning our trip to Canada. But it really would be a good idea. I always groan at the sight of Xmas things right after Halloween but maybe that's the prime time to start getting ready.
Next year I vow to go through the box of decorations early and see what we need. I promise to test the lights for burned out bulbs and dead strings BEFORE I wrap them around that prickly tree and toss them over that bush. And Christmas shopping will begin in September, when the best things are not sold out.
Or maybe all the madness is the fun of it. I like to think that at least I take Christmas a little easier than a lot of people. Rather than a perfectly sophisticated lighting scheme on the outside of the house, we opt for the trailer park look of tossed lights and single strands hanging loosely from the garage. Our tree isn't as big as most, though we do get a real one. And I don't think we over-decorate, for everything I put up, I think, "I will have to take that down in just a few weeks."
And one last word about Milo's first Christmas. I found him a cute decoration for the tree that will be his "first", but it doesn't have a baby on it, or the year, or his name. Chris didn't like any of those. It has a mouse though, in a stocking, and it's big and soft. Speaking of stockings, I bought Milo's stocking and it matches the two that Chris and I have and the little ones for the dogs. I got home and I wondered, what if I can't find the same kind of stocking when we have more kids? The second child will feel left out having a different stocking from the rest of us. And it would kill my design sense to have an odd one out anyway, so I went out and bought 2 more to have for the future. I think it's funny and probably speaks volumes about me and my Virgo obsessions. So, three kids it is. Four? No, we can't have four. We don't have a stocking that matches the rest of us.
Have a great week getting ready for Christmas!! I'm thinking of all of you and wishing I could see you all at a fabulous party that I would have thrown a few years ago, but now I can't imagine. Maybe in the New Year? Want to come to my house? You are all invited, just let me know when.
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