Thursday, November 14, 2013

Let's pretend we're excited!


Last Saturday morning, Doug and I sat in the backyard at our patio table sipping coffee. As he worked his crossword puzzle, I surfed my phone with one hand and scratched Lucky's ears with the other.

"It's crazy to think that Christmas is less than seven weeks away..." I mentioned.

Doug gave a heavy sigh and shook his head as he exhaled, "I know..."

There was a brief moment of silence as we each digested that - both of us clearly having the same thoughts of stress and panic over the looming list-of-things-to-do and things-to-get-ready.

"Let's pretend we're excited!" I exclaimed, and Doug chuckled and said, "Ok..."

And really? Why not?

I was thinking about how I worry every year. How the weeks between mid-November and the end of December are always filled with {perceived} obligations and planning and wrapping and baking and mailing and decorating and...whoa. See what I mean?

But really? Those are all things that I love to do - it just seems overwhelming when you think of it in one great big bundle. And as far as I remember, things always miraculously get done and I breathe a sigh of relief on December 24th-ish.

So while it may seem like an odd mantra,
I'm sticking with this for the next six weeks:
Let's pretend we're excited!
May the words, "I'm so stressed out!" not leave
my mouth between now and Christmas.
Care to join me?
{wink}

19 comments:

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

I'll join you Deb :o) It's my turn to host/cook Christmas lunch this year and I want to avoid spending my day in the kitchen! I sat down yesterday and figured out some veg dishes that I can make the day before. Leaving only the turkey and roast potatoes for the day itself and they pretty much cook themselves!

Sian said...

I get that feeling when I know I have to pack for a holiday. Which is daft because I love holidays. Christmas? I do get excited. I'm like a little kid..following in the footsteps of my Grandma who famously loved Christmas so much she used to get us all up at 5am to open our presents!

Hope your preparations go well

Jo said...

I don't have to pretend about being excited because I really am so excited :) I've got 16 nieces and nephews to make stuff for, as well as 2 brothers, 2 sisters etc.... if things don't get done they don't get down but I will, like you, enjoy ticking things off of my to do list :D x

helena said...

Thanks Deb, i'll be using that at the family xmas planning lunch later this month

Ginger said...

I've been thinking I may put the trees up this weekend or next to avoid any stress. I'm lucky, this year I'm not hosting any family dinners so one would think there should be no whining! ;) have a great day Deb!

scrappyjacky said...

I don't have to pretend....I really am excited....I love the christmas preparations.
Why don't you join in Journal Your Christmas this year....and document all those fun things you really do love to do.

Beverly said...

I get excited the Monday after Thanksgiving (and Tgiving is so late this year!) I am all about not rushing through the holidays and with Thanksgiving being my favorite I like to savor it. I think it's my fav because it's all the love, gathering and loved ones with no great expectations or commercialization.

Susi said...

I'll join you and pretend I'm excited! I really am but well you know!

Becky said...

I don't have to pretend - I am excited! Am having such fun making some crafty gifts and planning and making lists - I just love making lists! I honestly can say that I never stress over Christmas - my Mum always does and I promised myself when I got married that Christmas in my house would be laid back and I think I have stuck to that. We love Christmas, but after all, it is just another day in the year!

Ruth said...

I'm excited! I was just saying this afternoon that even though I've always enjoyed Christmas, having a small person in the house who believes in the magic makes it magical for me, too!
PS: Where did you get that no whining sign? It would be perfect for the Boy Child's "office"!!!

Audrey said...

Let's pretend we're excited!!! I love that. Can you see me pretending? Ha! Thanks so much for your sweet email this morning. My Girl Scout troop has a meeting tonight but I'm hoping to catch up on emails after!!! XOXO Can't wait to see some of your holiday projects and craftiness. :-)

debs14 said...

I alternate between excited and stresses! I'm going to try to join in with your idea though! Yay!!!!!! (That's me being excited!)

PCovi said...

first...I thank you for your sweet visit, both to me and my cousin!!
you made me laugh when you said you'd been all up in my business :D!!
Ohhh, Christmas. After I lost daddy...ALL holidays lost their oomph. Which made me ask myself...was I worshiping daddy???
No, but being the adult puts a new light on it and the joy kind of is harder to find. I'm asking myself how Jesus would want to see his big day celebrated ...I'll bet wreaths aren't involved...or too much sugar intake.

Unknown said...

Thanks for your visit....
I can't think about Christmas, but I have to admit I already have some small gifts salted away...excitement will get here next.

Alison said...

I'm slightly stressed about the lack of ideas I have for presents...but apart from that I LOVE IT!!
Alison xx

alexa said...

Love it! One of the great things about pretending is that the feelings we get turn out to be genuine :). Great post ...

Miriam said...

Perfect mantra, and I agree with Alexa, if you say or do something often enough it becomes real and a habit.

Sinead said...

Christmas is such a magic time of year, I just LOVE it, but I totally understand that it can get stressful and hectic. I love that you're letting go of the pressure, and I bet you'll find yourself really excited before too long, rather than just pretending to be :D xxx

Unknown said...

I'm like a little kid. Lighting For Artwork

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...