I hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas day! I wrote this a few weeks ago as I knew I would be busy this week with visits to family and friends, last minute preparation and of course celebrating the most wonderful time of the year. We all have expectations what Christmas will be like. In an ideal world it would be Pinterest worthy but it doesn't always work out like that!
Christmas is a day full of magic, anticipation, and high hopes but also the inevitable unexpected twists.
Waking Up!
Expectation: Everyone wakes up refreshed, children rush in with smiles and the scent of freshly brewed coffee and cinnamon wafts through the house.
Reality: You wake up groggy from wrapping gifts until 2am, someone oversleeps or the kids are up at 5am full of energy while you stumble for the coffee maker.
Christmas Breakfast!
Expectation: A lovingly prepared breakfast with fluffy pancakes, perfectly crisp bacon and an array of fresh fruit arranged like a winter wonderland.
Reality: One kid just wants cereal, another has eaten too much chocolate and the toast has burned! You start rummaging through the fridge to make emergency waffles while shouting, “Who put empty juice cartons back?”.
Opening Presents in Harmony!
Expectation: Each person opens gifts in turn, everyone reacts with joy and heartfelt thank yous are exchanged.
Reality: Wrapping paper is everywhere, gifts are opened in a frenzy, a child is already asking where the batteries are and someone didn’t quite get what they wanted.
The Grand Christmas Feast!
Expectation: A perfectly roasted turkey or nut roast surrounded by all the trimmings, people praising the delicious food and family photos around the table.
Reality: The turkey is slightly dry, the Brussels sprouts are overcooked and the potatoes refuse to crisp. Someone forgets an essential side dish and there’s a mad dash for store bought gravy.
Picture Perfect Family Photos!
Expectation: Coordinated outfits, smiling faces and a photo worthy of a Christmas card.
Reality: The kids are fidgety, one person has their eyes closed in every shot and the dog won't stay still. After 30 photos, you give up and settle for one where half of the family looks decent.
A Peaceful Christmas Afternoon
Expectation: Board games, cosy chats by the fire, and relaxed contentment.
Reality: Board games lead to competitive chaos, someone falls asleep on the sofa snoring and kids start getting restless with their new toys.
The End of the Day!
Expectation: You tuck everyone into bed, satisfied with the day and bask in the glow of the fairy lights as you reflect on the precious memories made.
Reality: You’re picking up gift tags, stepping on rogue Lego, and noticing someone’s left a half eaten candy cane on the armrest, where it’s now stuck.
Even with the chaos, dry turkey, mess and arguments I know Christmas will still be fun and memories will be made! Christmas isn’t about perfection. I hope you are having a great day whatever you are doing!
Merry Christmas sis 🎁🎄💕
ReplyDeleteSo, so true! Although the best thing about having teenagers is that you get to have at least one cup of coffee before they surface!
ReplyDeleteSo funny! Now that the kids are older many of these expectations are met but they certainly weren't when the boys were young.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha this is so good. I feel this in my soul! Our Christmas expectation was that everyone would wake up feeling great, we would open presents, we'd have a delicious brunch, play with new gadgets, nap a little, and then spend time with my family Christmas night. Christmas reality was that Olivia woke up with the flu and we had to scramble to find an open pharmacy and a doctor on call to get her the meds she needed. Then we quarantined from everyone and missed out on our family celebrations. Sigh. I guess it was bound to happen sometime!
ReplyDeleteI think you've got this spot on. Although things are a little different in my house now the kids are older.
ReplyDeleteI love this! I've lived those realities many time over especially at the end of Christmas day.
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