This is the month of twinkly lights, festive chaos and a never ending queue of to-do's. I’ve made a bold decision. I’m saying no to things which will bring me stress, to things I don't really enjoy doing or will cost too much money.
I’m not braving the shops on the weekends!
I love the thrill of a good Christmas bargain but the thought of elbowing my way through crowded aisles while someone’s toddler throws a tantrum over a glittery unicorn, no thank you! December is crazy in town and this year I’m staying at home! I don't see the point of getting stressed when online shopping is available. I still shop locally and support small businesses and will shop during the week but not on a weekend!
I’m not overcommitting to festive events!
December can feel like a never ending string of social gatherings and events to go to but I am not going to go to everything. I did a lot of my festive things last month so I am going to say thank you for asking but no. I’m only going to the things I actually want to go to, the ones that bring that warm, happy glow rather than that why did I agree to this dread!
I’m not wrapping gifts at midnight because I forgot!
Last minute gift wrapping is not happening this year! If the gifts aren’t wrapped by the time they are needed I am not worrying, they can go in a gift bag or just as they are! I have actually been saving gift bags up to reuse. hehehe
I’m not buying fancy food we all pretend to like!
You know those Christmas nibbles that only ever get eaten on Christmas Day because we feel weirdly guilty throwing them out. The weird cheese nobody remembers buying, the posh crisps that taste like disappointment and the tin of biscuits where everyone just wants the chocolate ones. If it’s not going to be eaten, it’s not going in the trolley!
I’m not sending Christmas cards out of obligation.
I love a handwritten note but I send out Christmas cards just because I think I have to. There is the cards to buy and all of the stamps, have you seen the price of stamps! Eesh! My Christmas cheer will be shown digitally this year with funny messages, memes and maybe even a GIF or two!
I’m not baking lots!
Well not more than a couple of times this month. Pinterest makes it look easy: gingerbread, cookies, cranberry bread, chocolate dipped pretzels, cakes that looks like reindeers! Nope, it's not happening! I will be picking a couple of tried and tested recipes and that's all you're getting from me.
I’m not overdoing Christmas decorations!
This year I’ve made a very sensible, very grown up decision! I am not turning my house into a Santa’s Grotto this year! I love Christmas I really do but somewhere along the way decorating for Christmas has got too much! I’m decorating just enough to feel festive but without going over the top!
I’m not stressing about the perfect Christmas!
Instagram will try to tell me that I need Pinterest worthy decorations, a perfectly styled tree, a feast that could win awards and matching outfits for everyone in the family. This year I’m letting go. My tree will not be perfect, dinner might include a shop bought shortcut or three and the only thing we will have matching is our Christmas Eve pj's. Perfection is overrated!
I’m not comparing my December to anyone else’s!
Scrolling through social media is dangerous at this time of year. Someone’s house is sparkling like a winter wonderland and someone else has homemade mince pies arranged like art. This year I’m doing my own thing. My December doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s to be wonderful!
I’m not overthinking New Year’s resolutions!
Then comes the New Year’s resolutions. I’ll think about goals when I feel like it, in my own time and not because a calendar says I must.
What are you not doing in December?
It sounds like you´ve made some good decisions! I have not thought about this- your list will be something that I think about. My house is already a bit over the top with decor so I definitely did not say no to that!! Have a great Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteI love your list, and I do think we have to be intentional this time of year in making the season what we want it to be and not what others want theirs to be. I was just writing my Hodgepodge answers and thinking about how much fun Christmas was as a kid, but how much smaller and simpler it was too. It did not start in October, that's for sure! Enjoy your December!
ReplyDeleteThis list is everything...wow...you nailed it Kim. I cracked up at the buying fancy food we pretend to like- ha! So so true! I also think your first thing of not braving the shops on weekends is genius- doing the same here- online shopping is my fave for that reason!
ReplyDeleteI went into a couple of retail stores to look for a sweater to wear to Thanksgiving and it was already a mad-house. I didn't have time to go to my favorite thrift stores. I haven't shoped retail in so long and I was quickly reminded why. lol. I hope you have the most amazing Christmas season yet.
ReplyDeleteSuch good reminders to us all at this time of year. It's too easy to compare your Christmas to other people's and get down about it.
ReplyDeleteI'm being more mindful of the food I buy this year and trying to stick to what I know everyone will enjoy.
You nailed it! We have scaled way back in the last few years as well. But I love the one about not eating snacks that we only pretend to like! #MMBC
ReplyDeleteGreat attitude! Thankfully I've never cared much about Christmas. I mean, I like creating festive crafts and baking, b ut who says anything needs to be done just on time? I mean, a few years back I created a polymer clay snowman in January. Wishing you a relaxed and joyful December!
ReplyDeleteAmen, social media puts that pressure on! I had a total knee replacement last month, and can't yet go shopping or do much around here, limping while pushing the walker. I want to bake and clean, but? I can't yet. I have shopped online:). Less is better though, more relaxing and less stressing...:)
ReplyDeleteI'm not doing any of this either-- other than the cards but for me they are more a labor of love than an obligation.
ReplyDeleteKim, I don't do any of those things anymore, either! I applaud you for posting this. Hooray for us!! It really isn't about any of those things!! xo
ReplyDeleteI’m skipping all of those too! I put the Christmas tree up last weekend and kept the decorations really simple this year. I've only got a few ornaments and lights around the house. I also don’t have the energy for outdoor lights right now. I need to watch more Christmas movies to get inspired!
ReplyDeleteI'm only sending a few cards out this year - a big change fro me! These are all great reminders about staying calm during the holidays.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely about social media expectations, some of my family members have been a bit caught up this year, feeling the pressure to buy new decorations etc. so that we can have a TikTok ready house when really it's our little family traditions that make it Christmas! After a mad Christmas build up several years ago when the children were at primary school I've really been mindful of the things that I commit to at this time of year. One thing that I can't get out of is making the gingerbread houses - last year we went with shop bought as we were having renovation work done in the kitchen and it's been made very clear that this year the children would like to go back to homemade ones please - it's such a job!
ReplyDeleteYes yes yes to all of this! I knew from the second I saw the title of your post that it was going to be brilliant. I feel the same way this year. The holiday season can be so stressful if we let it, and I'm determined not to let that happen this year. I love this post so much!
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