You know what I absolutely LOVE? Christmas! I love the holiday season, starting with Thanksgiving and moving right on though to the new year. It’s such a special time of year to enjoy the simplest of life’s pleasures: the warm smell of cinnamon from a freshly baked pie lingering in the air, the hanging of a sentimental homemade ornament on the tree, or the time-honored family visit to see Santa himself.
You know what I absolutely LOATHE? The rush-rush attitude of Christmas. I want to sneak a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup {or five} from my kids’ Halloween stash before the Christmas Tree version of the same candy is on store shelves. I want to enjoy my Thanksgiving turkey and pumpkin pie without worrying about jetting out to the latest and greatest Black Friday Christmas sale. I want to take my kids to see Santa without pre-booking hours, days or even {gasp!} months in advance.
But this past week, I began to wonder: can we enjoy each holiday, one at a time? Or, do we all have to get on the Christmas Crazy Train by Halloween, or else get left behind in the Holiday Dust?
Case in point: I tried to take my kiddos to see Santa last Friday. I loved visiting Santa as a kid. It was a family tradition, and we saw the same jolly old man every year. He’d welcome us, remembering our family, and would let my Dad take as many pictures as he desired with our own personal camera. Our family photo albums are filled with these memories, and I want to create the same special moments with my kids.
So off to Santa we went! It wasn’t a busy time of day, and it didn’t look overly crowded. Sure, there were a few families here and there, but there certainly wasn’t a line. I cheerfully walked up to the counter and inquired about a visit. Silly, silly me. Santa was booked … for three days. Santa’s “Elf”, filled with holiday cheer, was surprised I’d even dared to walk up without calling ahead:
- Hadn’t I made an appointment? I should have scheduled the visit in advance.
- Did I have school-aged kids? Well, the best idea for me would be to pull my kids out of school early if we all wanted to visit Santa together.
- Another option was to chance a 7:00 a.m. drop-in, with the hopes that we’d be able to make Santa’s list later that day or possibly that week.
She then handed me a photo package with pricing starting at $35, and wished me a “Merry Christmas”.
Mind. Blown. And not in a good way. The words “pull your kids out of school” kept ringing in my ears. Really? REALLY?! It’s like an Olympic event just to get my kids out the door in the morning and to their respective schools. Why would I alter and arrange our school and work schedules, putting undue stress on all of us, just to be guaranteed an audience with Santa?
Maybe reindeer really fly? Perhaps Santa mixes up craft cocktails, made with North Pole snow?
I was completely flummoxed, and walked away wondering: what the heck happened to picking an impromptu day to see Santa, waiting in line {maybe!} for under fifteen minutes, and taking a few free pictures by ourselves?’
The Christmas Crazy Train happened, that’s what, and I refuse to get on board! As a mom to three little ones, my life is chaotic enough. I certainly don’t need any more stress added during a time of year that – to me, at least – is meant to be celebrated and shared with my family and friends. I don’t want to rush around, worrying about “enjoying” the season, when there is already an abundance of simple joy all around me. I don’t have time for that. Frankly, I’m not sure what busy Mama does!
If you happen to be riding the Christmas Crazy Train this year, no judgment. It’s enticing, and I’ve been on that ride to some degree in the past. Honestly, who hasn’t? But I’ve learned: less is more, and I have no desire to keep up with the Holiday Jones’. So I’ve decided to focus on the simpler side of things this year, to live more in the moment and really relish in some unscripted, stress-free holiday fun with my people. You might find me baking cookies with my little sous chefs, while they joyfully cover our kitchen in flour. We’ll definitely be decorating our Christmas tree with handmade and sentimental ornaments, and sharing the stories behind each one with one another. If it’s a white Christmas, you’ll find us playing outside, and sledding down our super steep driveway together. Along the way, I’ll sneak in some easy-peasy online shopping, while likely munching on some leftover Halloween Reese’s.
As far as visiting Santa: I’m not going to stress about it. I’m confident that we can find a place to pay a good ‘ol unscripted, unplanned, surprise visit to Saint Nick. And I’m sure that this can be accomplished during non-school hours!
