I’m still wrapping my head around the notion that Christmas is right around the corner. I long ago came to loathe, hate, despise, absolutely dread the holiday season.
The traveling is so difficult, and in order to make sure all the extended family members get to see their grandchild at during the 12 days of gifting and eating, we drive nearly 2,400 miles.
And don’t even try to tell me we should “put our feet down,” or “make our own family traditions,” or “tell them to come to you!”
It isn’t possible. For so many reasons, not the least of which is that we aren’t built to withstand criticism or anger from the people we love, or the fact that guilt works wonders on our psyches. And you know what? I went one Christmas season not seeing my parents and the next year my dad was dead.
I ain’t risking that again, warped though it may sound.
So, yeah, I start fretting about Christmas and Thanksgiving in July. No wonder my hair is falling out.
Then why am I hankering so bad to bake Christmas cookies?
I love to bake, and I am a much better baker than cook - which totally explains my Weight Watchers membership.
And if I don’t start now, there’s no way I’ll get all my cookies done by the time we leave on Dec. 20. I mean, look at this list:
Waaay too many cookies, right? Am I right?
I need the sugar. It’s the only way I’ll make it through.
What helps you deal with holiday stress?
by A.L. Hatch
[tags]kids, children, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, holidays, stress, food, cookies, sweets[/tags]
Photo graciously provided by chotda, through a Creative Commons license, some rights reserved
12 responses so far ↓
Slouching Mom // Nov 13, 2007 at 5:30 am
Whatever Butter Spritz is, it sounds fabulous.
wordgirl // Nov 13, 2007 at 7:04 am
What helps me get through the holidays is the idea that every single day I’m getting closer to being finished with the shopping. And baking. And card mailing. I keep thinking that one day I’ll be one of those who can sit back and enjoy the madness from my cozy spot next to the fire, but it never happens. So…I settle for the idea that every day I did some little something that brings me closer to being finished. Oh…and that glass of wine at the end of the day.
AmyL // Nov 13, 2007 at 9:31 am
Mmmmmmm, holiday cookies! My friend and I are getting together tomorrow to mix up the dough for some cookie recipes, then we’ll freeze them. Then, when we get closer to the actual holiday I can just pop them out of the freezer and bake. That worked well with my gingerbread house last year too. Made it in early November, then froze the pieces until I was ready to build it.
lbotp // Nov 13, 2007 at 9:33 am
Pass the chocolate crinkles.
As far as the travel goes, at least you’ll have more blog fodder ….
Aliki // Nov 13, 2007 at 11:07 am
The baking helps me, too. We have the same “issues”–we drive too far, extend ourselves too much, all so we can be with family. Sometimes we fantasize about a cozy Christmas at home but, you know, I think if we DID have that, it would feel a tad lonely.
janet // Nov 13, 2007 at 11:26 am
I have a baking addiction too. My favourite cookie: chocolate caramel thumbprint.
We’re fortunate that all of our family live within a two-hour radius. We can easily accomodate everyone and still have time to put our feet up at home.
Henny Penny // Nov 13, 2007 at 12:02 pm
I’d like to know just when you are gong to find time to make THAT many cookies and have a GNO this year. I’m a one trick cheesecake pony m’dear which leaves plenty of time for wine.
Heather // Nov 13, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Spiked eggnog. Minus the eggnog. That’s how I deal with the holiday stress.
Arkie Mama // Nov 13, 2007 at 12:42 pm
What gets me through the holidays?
The promise of Jan. 1.
OK, I know, that sounds totally grinchy, but after the endless negotiations with family, the ever-changing “fluid” arrangements with Hubs’ ex over who has the older kids when and the guilt trip inflicted yearly by my in-laws — I just breathe a big sigh of relief when it’s all over.
Victoria // Nov 13, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Vicodin gets me through the holidays. *weak grin* We also “suffer” the too-much, too-far, too-full Christmas holiday. But we “gave up” a traditional Thanksgiving a few years ago (the year after we had SIX commitments for Turkey dinners…)
We leave for the Tropics in three days. *giggle*
Emily // Nov 13, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Eating holiday cookies that other people bake and then send to me here in London… Hint, hint…
Jennifer // Nov 15, 2007 at 2:13 pm
What? Christmas is around the corner? I’m too focused on the Thanksgiving I’m hosting. My son’s birthday the next day (a huge slumber party full of 13/14 year old boys), my daughter’s birthday the next week. Oh, and my poor neglected husband with the Dec 24th bday? He gets nothin’. I haven’t even started thinking about xmas yet….
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