Budget meetings, inventory, task lists, spreadsheets, cost comparisons, project planning…
Nope, I am not talking about work. I am talking about Christmas! I am Christmas Crazy. Certifiably. Why is Thanksgiving one of my favorite days of the year? Because it is the official start to Christmas season.
But for me, the Christmas season runs from Labor Day through New Year’s Day. Yep. One third of each year I am working on Christmas. And I love every moment. I think I have to love it because otherwise I would go crazy. And yes, I am a little crazy. Twitch. Twitch.
This post is probably not as funny as I would like it to be, but I have to set the stage for the next post. As I have had said, I am a Christmas junkie. I am sure there is some sort of twelve-step program out there for people like me. However, the first step is to admit that you have a problem. I emphatically do not. Here is why:
1. Necessity—I have three children. If you have kids, then you know that the people who care for them are invaluable. I mean, c’mon. You gotta love someone who gives you a friggin’ break! I love my kids, but I can never miss them if they don’t go away. I strongly feel the need to thank those who help me miss them. Seriously, though. I love my children more than my own life, and I really appreciate all of the love, care and guidance these folks provide! I have three little darlings, and there are school teachers, specials teachers, principals, secretaries, karate instructors, piano teachers, choir directors, Sunday school leaders, scout leaders, soccer coaches, etc. for each of them. I love giving them a token of appreciation, and I would lose my mind trying to keep up with them all in my head. Ergo, I need massive planning.
2. Finances—Money is tight. I have been scouring Amazon.com and eBay looking for a money tree or a cash cow. No Luck. So I have to depend on my faithful hubby. We all know that what is mine is mine and what is yours is ours. So my insanely detailed processes help me keep track of and control spending. This does have the adverse side effect of making me want to stress eat whenever I see the totals.
3. Education—I love teaching my children, at home and at school, about the true spirit of giving. I love helping them pack gifts for children overseas and pick out presents for the angels on the trees at church. I love watching their faces as they give presents to special people. I love teaching them that others see God’s love through our actions!
4. Equality—I have a dream that my kids will not compare presents. Because it would be disaster if one kid had 6 presents to open while the other two had 7.
5. Fun—I have a blast planning, shopping, wrapping, decorating! It is the season for family fun here at our house. And is there anything more awesome than tearing off wrapping paper?!? Especially with a side of Champaign!
6. Joy—This is different from fun. This is that feeling you get when you know you have spread love. I work for months because, as someone who believes in a God who is gracious and giving, I adore a season that embraces what my faith means to me: inclusion, togetherness, giving, thankfulness, and generosity. Maybe we should all work on this part all the time.
So maybe I am crazy, but what is that quote? “I am not suffering from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it.”
