Well I've had sick child after sick child for two weeks now, not been feeling great myself plus my 'mini' meltdown last week hence the lack of comments on everyone's blogs.
I realised today that I must tackle the dreaded *sshh* Christmas presents. I have to admit that I'm miserable when it comes to Christmas......it always seems like such a lot of hard work for one day after which you are left with more toys to find room for and excess pounds on the tummy and hips!
Gone are the days when I used to think of a different theme for my Christmas table, spending hours deciding on colour schemes, buying tiny 'table' presents for everyone ( up to fourteen of us) and buying new accessories for the new look.
Haha....maybe I'm just suffering from Christmas 'burnout'.
When the first couple of children were very young I used to love Christmas, it was all about them and I'd happily stay up virtually all of Christmas Eve night wrapping presents and peeling brussel sprouts knowing that I had to cook a twenty pound turkey the next morning for fourteen people for lunch.
Maybe I just got fed up waiting on all those people year after year. I started to resent them slightly for taking me away from the 'good bits' of Christmas- playing with my children.
We'd just finish clearing up the dinner when the in laws would expect the next meal. Over the years I'd managed to par it down to the minimum, ham and turkey sandwiches and Christmas cake. Then there would be demands of cups of tea.
The last Christmas we were all together I took the baby to bed and fell asleep exhausted, and didn't reappear until the next day.
As usual I've completely gone off the subject.....enough of this Christmas day talk!!!
It's presents that are causing me grief at the moment.
My children break up from school in just over three weeks, I am so unorganised and cannot believe the date....where did that come from?
One also has a birthday before then as well.
My children need ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
Our house is full of toys.
But.....they will be expecting something.
I did a quick shop online at Toys R Us today so that's the baby done.
Only the others to do and all the adults in my life. Gulp!
On an entirely different note, I know a lot of you were interested to hear about my hypnotherapy session.... today I went for the second time. But......this is going to sound really boring , I can't tell you much about it at all. When I went the first time the hypnotherapist ,who is a lovely intuitive lady, said there was no way I could be hypnotised for confidence without dealing with all the other 'issues' first. So we are dealing with coping strategies. It's really weird, I know I am totally aware the whole time although I did drift off momentarily today, so I'm not sure how you know if you're being hypnotised. I could tell today that something was happening and I left with a big grin but it's not the quick fix I was hoping for. I've also got a lot of homework to do. I have lots of CD's to listen to for various different problems....stress, anger, grief,panic etc. I really must find the time to do them and not stay up half the night looking at the computer.
I do feel a bit calmer today, which is the first time in a week and I have got to do my homework....so if you see me blogging away or stuck to the computer too much, remind me. I tend to forget.
Now what internet site can I look at for present inspiration?
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10 I Love Your Comments:
I was going to leave a longer comment but you have just reminded me I need to click onto Amazon and order my brother's birthday present!!
Ah Chic - as I mentioned earlier - there never is a quick fix; keep at it.
As for present inspiration - depends on the ages. I found a fabulous site for pre-teen/teen girls www.silverandbeyond.com.
Littler ones??? I'd need to think about it.
Hope all the sick is out of your house!!
Actually, that website would probably work for most of the women on your list. Very reasonable and I think they ship overseas.
Sounds like you're very busy! It's too bad Christmas has to be so stressful. Glad to hear the last hypnotherapy session went well. From your description it sounds as though the session was a good one.
Christmas use to be stressful for me. Actually, I hated to see it come around because of all the hype and not enough focus on Christ. Anyway...for the past few years, I've let everyone get hyped and round around like headless chickens while I do me - take it nice and slow. Purchase gifts IF I WANT TO and not allow others to make me feel guilty about what I decide to give from my heart. I realized I was inviting stress, so I stopped inviting it.
Have you visited Mom's Peace Place? www.momspeaceplace.blogspot.com
There should be something there to help relax and just enjoy the moment.
I've even began to meditate by focusing on mere silence (when I can find it). It has made such a difference in my life.
I know for me the past couple of Christmas' were slim if not celebrated at all. A few years ago we started a new easy tradition. We go out for Chinese dinner Christmas Eve and then go look at Christmas lights. I also make a photo album for our two boys every year and is is always their favorite gift..and they are 26 and 24? Who would have known such a simple gift would mean so much and they love the new tradition. Enjoy your holiday and make it simple. Maybe you can find something fun that you would all like to do and focus more on that than the regular hype of the holiday? Tis the season to stress, hope you don't too much. Renee
Honey I think unless you are extremely lucky something always eventually happens that just spoils Christmas and after which it is never the same. Its for the kids and I am like you they have all they need I am trying to just give a few token things this year. For me it has never been the same since my dads death and my mother just ruins it for everyone we dread her visits every fortnight as it is.. awful thing to say but she is so .. manipulative and self centered .. I have now changed the format and invite the neighbors in for drinks just from about 11 to 2 and its fun again ... you will come through this mess and find your new way just give it time xxxx Its only a day !!
I'm glad to hear you sound better this week.
I feel a bit guilty now! I still love christmas and never find it a chore. I feel sorry for anyone with difficult family... I am very lucky there and I can absolutely see how it could ruin things!
Ruth, I feel for you massively too!
I'm good at present ideas if you need any help? childrens too. I did a couple of posts on my blog about presents but haven't included anything for children, maybe I should get onto it... Hmmm
Much love Christina XX
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PS. I gave you both an award the other day. Don't think either of you have that one yet XX
I can't believe it! I could have written this post (the Christmas bit anyway)Although I have never had 14, I know entirely what you mean, and you are right, we are burnt out with resentment.
My daughter has just had her birthday and so I have completely run out of present ideas. So has she! They are lucky to have so much, but as you say, we can't not give them something on the day.
At least mine don't break up so soon. I am still trying to be in denial about the whole thing!!
Let me know on present ideas please?!!!
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