Am I behind on everything holidays? Yes. I’ve come to accept the fact that this is just how I am going to live my life.
Am I as far behind as I usually am at this juncture? Surprisingly not. My tree is up, the house is decorated — we even did some outside decorating this year — and I have at least started some of my shopping. All in all — not too shabby.
That being said, since it is officially December, I’m starting to feel the pressure of a lot to do and not a whole lotta time to do it. But it’s OK. I haven’t failed Christmas yet, and I’m sure I’ll get everything done once again.
I’ve shared this before, but as everyone starts their holiday prep, I ask that you keep something in mind. This is something I read almost a decade ago and have shared yearly on social media since.
“Just a reminder to all of you parents out there to be modest with your gifts from ‘Santa.’ Not all parents have a ton of cash to spend on making their kids’ Christmas specials, so it doesn’t make sense to give your kid a PlayStation5, a bike, and an iPad while his best friend at school gets a new hat and mittens from Santa. Give something small from Santa and make the more expensive presents from you. You can explain the value of money to kids, but you can’t explain Santa’s discrimination to a heartbroken kid.”
For the record, I’m not telling you how to spend your money. If you are fortunate enough to be able to give your kids a Lambo and a thoroughbred for Christmas — by all means — do you. But make that stuff from you, not Santa. Also, you did all the work for that stuff; get your credit! Personally, if I’ve done all the work and have the means to buy a kid a pony, I ain’t givin’ that credit to Jolly ‘Ol St. Nick.
The world is in some dire straits and a lot of people are feeling the pinch — this year more than most. So, please keep that in mind when you are labeling gifts this year. Little Tommy down the street doesn’t deserve to think that Santa loves him less simply because your family has a financial advantage over his.
Now, let me step off my soapbox because I need some help! Has anyone seen my elves? Jolly TinselFluff, Buddy GlitterDoodle, and Cookie TwinkleCheer have gone MIA. I figured I would find them up on Candy Cane Lane, but I haven’t seen them yet. Hopefully, wherever they got to, they are still working on the entries for the Blaise Alexander Christmas Coloring Contest! We’ve been getting a ton of entries, and I’m struggling to keep up alone!
Tonight, I’m going to take a ride out to Linden. I hear there is a spectacular home display out there, and they can’t resist a good set of lights. Hopefully, they are out there. If not, I suppose I’ll have to take a ride to Elysburg and see if they are hiding at Knoebels somewhere!
Speaking of the contest, you still have about a week to get your entry in. You can mail it or drop it off, and if you need an extra copy, it is pinned to the top of our Facebook page so you can print it. We have lots of great prizes this year and I love seeing all the kiddo’s hard work!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get some shopping done!
