Here we are in December, and once again, Christmas seems to have crept up on me. I have noticed this week, that the Christmas hype is building at work, and we are much busier. I don’t have huge amounts of shopping or preparation to to do these days, so my main aim is to stay calm and enjoy the fun.
What do I love about Christmas
- The excitement of children, including my grandchildren
- Traditional weekend Christmas celebrations with my partner’s family
- Spending time with my family and grandchildren
- Buying presents for loved ones
- Thinking about Christmas food
- Christmas catch ups with friends
- Being busy at work
- Time to relax and read, even though I usually work more hours than usual
- There is often the opportunity for time away for a short break
- Watching Love Actually
- Watching Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
- Making shortbread
- Pavlova and chocolate ripple cake (still a kid at heart)
- Christmas carols and songs
What I don’t love about Christmas
- Feelings of grief and missing my son
- Crowds in stores
- People rushing and being stressed
- Not being able to decide what present to buy
- Too many Christmas catch ups with family and friends in a short period of time
- Cranky customers at work
- Heavy traffic on the roads
- The higher road toll and accident rate makes me feel sad
- My favourite coffee shop closes for two weeks
- Most of the Christmas food I love, is high calorie
- Commercialism of Christmas
Photo Challenge
This year is the third year that I have done a Christmas Photo A Day Challenge on Instagram. I really enjoy looking for a photo opportunity that depicts what Christmas means to me. I try to stay away from photos that show the commercialism of Christmas. My preference is to look for photos that depict the spirit of Christmas. It’s not too late, if you would like to join my photo challenge on Instagram. Just click on the link – Christmas Photo a Day
What do you love most about Christmas. Or what is it that causes you the most stress? I really appreciate it when you join in the conversation, and promise to reply to all comments.
I seem to be on top of Christmas this year, Jennifer, if only because I pulled out the boxes of yarn I inherited from my mother and started knitting for the grandchildren! Other than that, our lists are very similar… I’m sorry for the loss of your son – it must be even more painful at this time of year.
I took an oath of simplicity a few years ago so, instead of dealingwith the stress, I try to just avoid it. Mostly works…
Wishing you a wonderful season with grands!!
Thanks for your lovely reply Agnes. I love that you are also keeping Christmas simple. I’m quite envious that you have yarn from your mother. Knitting it up for your grandchildren is a beautiful thing to do. My best wishes for a lovely and peaceful Christmas
I love this time of the year and have never really been able to pinpoint exactly why. I think it’s a combo of impending holidays, Christmas baking, the tree going up…I even enjoy the carols. Like you I hate the crowds, the traffic & the commerce. I’ll pop over to Instagram & check out your Chrismas photo a day. Visiting from #MSTL
Thanks Jo and thanks for visiting
Hi Jennifer I love Christmas and everything about it although these days I don’t quite have the patience with the crowds at the shopping centre. I’m doing My 25 day countdown to a happy Christmas and each day trying to incorporate happiness rather than stress. It must be a bitter/sweet time for you with the loss of your son but the sweetness of having your grandchildren. We have Elliot who is 6 months old now so a new addition to the Christmas get-together. I’ve been seeing your photos on Instagram and think it is a lovely way to make Christmas last that bit longer. Have a wonderful week and thank you for sharing with us at #MLSTL. xx
The crowds at stores atbthis time of year are the worst Sue. Your fitness challenge and 25 days of Christmas look great. I’m a bit pushed for time so not able to join in. But enjoy watching
I can relate to a lot of those positives and negatives of Christmas Jennifer. For me it’s all about family coming together – but that has its own stresses and heartaches along with the joy and celebration. I’m still working my way towards being in the Christmas mood – hopefully when we get home from holidays I’ll feel more Christmassy and start preparing for the extended family’s arrival.
MLSTL – I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
Hi Leanne A holiday just before the Christmas madness begins sounds perfect to me. Hope you’re having a lovely relaxing time. Thanks for sharing
I hear you in your like and dislikes of Christmas Jennifer! I am nowhere near ready for Christmas this year but refuse to feel stressed by it. I will get done what I can and when I think about it I have already done a bit by finding and booking for a holiday house for the family and putting the tree up. We also have a Rotary Exchange Student living with us, from Hungary, so it’s a completely different feeling for her which is proving interesting. I feel for you about your memories of your son, with both my father and father in law passing away this year it will be a very different tone than in previous years. #mlstl
I love this time of year. The tree presents and excitement. I don’t like getting the season started in Oct.
Thanks for the reminder Victoria. It seems to start earlier every year, I agree with you
In these past few years, Christmas has been more an afterthought than a celebration. This is the second time in five years that I’m packing up for a move in December. Boxes everywhere around the house. I have a tree up, but only lights on it right now. My husband is a chef, so I rarely see him in December, which takes away from some of the joy of the holiday.
Jennifer sounds like a busy Christmas for you Jennifer. Good luck for the move. Hope all goes well. Thanks for visiting
Hello Jennifer! My lists would look much like yours. I do love spending time with family and friends and especially the excitement of the little ones. I don’t like that I have no idea what to get my husband for Christmas. We’ll go in together on something we need/want for our house as our main gift, but we also like to have a little something under the tree. What will it be? I wish you peace and joy this holiday season.
Thinking of what to bitis the tricky part this year. Our family are having Christmas Day today and just now we are sitting quietly after too much food. Merry Christmas to you and your family Christie.
I love watching movies with my family, decorating the tree, and all the fun events with my daughter! I don’t love the fact that I am *always* broke!
#mlstl
So true about the money Bethany. There is never enough at Christmas time. Thanks for visiting