Christmas!

01/08/2017

This post began as one about Christmas traditions. I LOVE traditions – some of my warmest Christmas memories from my childhood involve travelling to the tree farm with our entire family and decorating it at night time while we listened to Alabama’s Christmas album and drank apple cider. Just thinking of it still makes me smile.

BUT! As I fill our calendar with event after event, make our list of who we need to buy for, keep track of our elves , schedule holiday photos, church Pageant practice, mail Christmas cards … I start to feel overwhelmed (and that’s an understatement!)  Is there anyone else who feels like “ I’ve totally got this “Mom-at-Christmas” thing!” one minute and then “I’m so behind! My kids are going to have no Christmas traditions and no fond memories and I’m a complete failure”, the next ?

Instead of sharing more of my traditions with you, and asking for you to share yours with us, I think what I really wanted to share (and preach to myself) that instead of embracing every.single.tradition out there, that maybe we could force ourselves to SLOW down this Christmas season. It maybe means that I’ll buy a package of chocolates for the neighbours instead of homemade cookies (sorry neighbs!), or maybe means we’ll miss a party or 2.  It maybe means that I’ll snap a picture of the kids in the backyard while they’re giggling instead of taking them to our rushed photo session when someone missed their nap (can I get a witness on that one?!).

Looking back at my childhood memories, I don’t remember the stress of bundling 4 kids and hauling us to the tree farm. I don’t remember the arguments over who got to put the first ornament on the tree, although I’m sure they existed!  I also definitely don’t remember that vast majority of the gifts that were under the tree but I remember the warmth in our living room, decorating the tree underneath twinkling lights and most importantly the TIME spent with family.

Mama, give yourself a little grace this season. Let’s remind ourselves that this Christmas, no matter how it looks, is exactly what your kids need… because all they really, truly need, is you!