Tuesday, December 12

Christmas This Year

Christmas this year is throwing me for a loop. I feel that God is trying to humble me, and maybe it's working. I'm not sure. I love Christmas time because it seems like everyone is in a cheery mood (OK, not EVERYONE!!). I LOVE buying gifts for people, but I am having trouble this year. There have been past years when I've heard people grumbling at Mother's Day Out when they have to bring a snack for the Christmas party. I remember thinking, "WOW, PEOPLE!! It's not THAT bad!! " THIS year, I am the one feeling grumbly because it seems everywhere we go, we are suppose to bring a gift, a snack, a party favor, a food item. It is about to wear me out. I WANT to bring those things and most likely will. BUT!!!! When it comes to buying a party favor OR a Christmas gift for my kids, parents, grandparents........ I'm choosing the gifts. I just feel that this time of year we expect EVERYONE to be able to afford something for everyone. Where do we draw the line? I would LOVE to give a gift to every person that loves my children and that has a connection with them, but I CAN'T. Even making pumpkin/banana bread costs money. Ya know?
__________________________________________
I guess my point is that my eyes have been opened this year to the feeling a child's mom in my class one year had. (I thought she was being SO dramatic at the time) I had a sign up sheet out for the Christmas party. She took one look at me and said, "If I have to sign up to bring one more thing, I am going to drop dead right here." Funny thing is - THAT is how I feel this year. I think we ALL need to be aware that this season is hard for some people. It might be hard emotionally for some, but for others, it is hard financially. I think people don't talk about it because they are embarrassed about it. I am sure there are people right now that cannot believe that I have written THIS. How embarrassing!!! Not really. Just sharing my thoughts people, just sharing my thoughts.

posted by Nicole at 10:26 PM

19 Comments:

  • This post will make a lot of sense to a lot of busy mothers for sure. I feel your stress just reading it.

    I only have one little dude, so I am not yet feelin' the pressure of all those connections to my child when it comes to teachers, friends, parties, gifts, etc.

    GOOD LUCK! It's such an overwhelming time of year (in good and bad ways)!

    By Blogger Gina, at 11:21 PM  

  • Dear Nicole

    So happy to have 'found' you through Crystal's blog. I have been trying to locate you :D

    Nice to catch up again and hope to swing back soon

    Luv
    Shionge

    By Blogger Shionge, at 12:00 AM  

  • I know how you feel. I have 2 boys in school this year and a new baby at home. I feel like my head is spinning out of control at times.

    By Blogger Life With All Boys, at 12:04 AM  

  • I have no idea why it won't let me comment under my blog name, its irritating me.

    Anyways...I think the holiday season makes most everyone find themselves a little tight on the financial end. There is just so much money to be spent. And I agree...it does seem like EVERYWHERE you turn, there is more things to sign up to bring, more gifts to buy, etc etc. I think especially when kids are in school, it really gets that way. I am feeling some better now because I have most of my Christmas shopping done, but before I finished it had me nice & frazzled. The best way to do it is to shop year round...buy things here & there all year. Then when Christmas actually gets here...you don't have so much to buy. Have I ever put this advice to use? Let me see...no. Never. But its great advice isn't it?!? haha

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:02 AM  

  • Oh..and since I'm being "anonymous" today...I better sign my name.

    ANNA

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:02 AM  

  • I totally understand! When you don't have a huge budget, it's hard enough making sure your kids what they want, let alone brining all the food to the parties. This time of year is supposed to be fun, not burdensome...I think people forget that everyone isn't made of money.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:10 AM  

  • I hear you! Maybe it's things like us that force us to stop and realize the real "reason for the season" ... if only everyone else would take a moment to stop, too!

    By Blogger Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph, at 8:41 AM  

  • p.s. I meant "things like THIS" not "us" but you all know what I mean!

    By Blogger Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph, at 8:42 AM  

  • I commented this morning, but it's not showing up. So will try again. If similar comments show up twice,
    please forgive my techno ineptness.

    I'm probably the one you were referring to when you said "not
    everyone" is in a cheery mood at
    Christmas! Some even affectionately
    refer to me as "scrooge". So you know I can relate to what you're feeling. When our girls were young, it was a lack of money. Now that I work fulltime, it's a lack of time and energy. I finally reduced my stress by cutting back on the gifts -- they're now for immediately family only. I try to do things for people throughout the year, so have quit feeling quilty for not doing something specific at Christmas. As for all the kids stuff, we made a big batch of traditional hard candy (you know the one) and gave that to teachers, coaches, neighbors.
    It's inexpensive and something no one else did. And too late for this year, but like Anna said, try to plan and purchase or make things during the year, so you're not so stressed and just grabbing whatever at the last minute and totally blowing your budget. (That could be your first new year's resolution.) As always, let me know
    if I can help.

    And when are you going to show off
    the new Nicole to your blogging
    buddies? :)

    By Blogger cindy, at 3:42 PM  

  • Yeah Nicole....WHEN?? HUH?? =)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:55 PM  

  • hey nicole- i was so sick on monday and tuesday that i did not even look at my calander or know the day. i was so mad that i missed calling Avery on her birthday. tell her i will see her in a little more then a week and that i will make it up to her. i love you guys... see you soon!!

    cayce

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:06 PM  

  • I feel the same way

    By Blogger Tasha, at 7:32 PM  

  • AMEN! And WAHOOOOO@!!!! Sooooo great to see you back, girl!
    I feel the same way about all the insane gifting & expectations. Its maddening!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:44 PM  

  • hey girl...
    I have been trying to post on your blog forever! This new blogger beta is a whip sometimes!
    Please email me when you can... i wanna talk to you about your template stuff!
    I had to use a different sign in....
    you can find me at My Splatter Painted Life!

    By Blogger Lindsay, at 5:56 AM  

  • Nicole! for some reason, your blog won't show me that you have a new post! I can see your new hair color from my Bloglines, but when I click on your actual blog, it's still your christmas post!!! Ugh! I don't know what to do!!!!!! Is because of beta??? Grrrrrr....Just know that I am reading your blog, through bloglines, but I can't comment since I get read it on your blog!!!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:55 AM  

  • Shoot.. I feel that way and I only one child that is 10 months! I can't imagine with 4 kids in school! I'm sure it is just exausting.

    One thing we do in my extended fam is to draw names so that we don't have to buy for everyone.

    Good luck!

    By Blogger Lisa, at 2:47 PM  

  • I only have one son and not that many parties to attend this year, so i am not feeling it too badly. But I imagine that for some it is totally too much and really puts a strain on things. it is totally GREAT that you are talking about it. :)

    BTW - I always sign up for something I can buy cause I am too busy - but that really adds up!

    By Blogger Janice (5 Minutes for Mom), at 8:36 PM  

  • Nicole, you asked about the big paper snowflakes on my blog? I have detailed how-to instructions up at my old blog: http://frogandtoadarefriends.blogspot.com/2006/11/most-irritating-post-ever-or-how-to.html
    They were very easy to make, but fiddly. Make sure you hang them up with something sturdy! Let me know how they turn out if you make them!
    I'm very broke AND way too busy this year, too, so I really know what you're writing about.

    By Blogger Beck, at 9:08 PM  

  • I totally know what you mean. Two years ago while my husband was one of the Pastor's at our church, we must've had 10 parties to attend and everyone on staff giving gifts to everyone else on staff (including every member of thier family). This was not too long after we were told the church could no longer afford to give Christmas Bonus'! I thought, how can I get gifts for everybody else's kids and then not have enough for my own? I think we've all been there a time or two! Cute Blog site!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:54 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home