How is your seasonal stress level? Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Have you dug out the old favorite recipes and started baking yet? Have you strung your outside lights? Have you found a Christmas tree yet? Have you picked out your Christmas cards? Do you have enough wrapping paper? How about tissue paper and scotch tape?
Is your schedule full with holiday events—Christmas bazaars, work parties, Christmas concerts and programs?
Are you feeling overwhelmed— and irritated at that friend or relative who is happily announcing to anyone who will listen that she is done with her Christmas shopping?
Aaaurragh! Where is the Christmas peace we are supposed to be feeling?
I will admit I was feeling a little bit Grinchish as November turned into December. I normally love Christmas and all the tinsel and garland and sappy music and surprises that come with the season. But this year I felt as if it was all starting way too soon. Things have been far too busy in Unorganized Territory. Between work and family and various volunteer activities, I caught myself thinking, “I don’t have time for Christmas!”
However, as December days ticked by, I realized that Christmas will come whether I am ready for it or not. And slowly, like a softly falling snow, Christmas began to descend on my house and it snuck into my heart.
It started with the mail. It’s nice that at this time of year our post office box contains something other than an unwanted catalog or a bill. That first Christmas card is always heartwarming. Yes, it’s a bit annoying that some people are so organized that they get their cards sent out in the first week of December. But it’s good to connect with old friends—annoying or not. Sometimes the tidings are bittersweet, as holiday greetings sometimes bring news of trouble or loss. But always, the message comes as a reminder that someone loves us and cares enough to keep us in their circle of friends.
As those first cards made me think that maybe I could find time to enjoy Christmas, the whirlwind of Christmas events began. I can’t avoid seeing all the ads for all the wonderful local holiday shopping opportunities—and I can’t resist checking them out. Starting with the North Country Crafters at the Schroeder Town Hall and the lefsemakers at Cross River Heritage Center the weekend after Thanksgiving to this coming weekend’s Christmas Bazaar at Grand Portage Lodge—and all the fabulous events in between, I am hooked on the holidays.
Each event offers familiar sights and scents—pine and cedar boughs, hot apple cider and Christmas cakes and cookies. But every event also offers new things to see, to “ooh and ahh” over. And of course at every stop I get to visit with friends and neighbors.
How can I be a Scrooge when so many joyful folks surround me?
Of course that doesn’t mean I’m not still looking for that peace that Christmas is supposed to bring. It doesn’t mean that I am not stressed by all the tasks yet to accomplish.
I still have a long list of people to purchase gifts for. And I have a closet full of things purchased but yet to be wrapped. I have a Christmas tree— but it’s not in the stand or decorated yet. The house isn’t as clean as I would like it to be before guests visit. I think I’m coming down with a cold and I haven’t started my Christmas cards at all yet and baking—well, that is just not going to happen.
But despite the chaos, I’m on board with Christmas coming. I managed to find time to drag out the Christmas decoration boxes. I found the box with my Christmas clothing and jewelry. As I write this week’s column, I’m wearing a pretty wreath pin given to me by my mom, shiny Christmas tree earrings I bought for myself last year and on my feet are some funky Christmas socks. I haven’t found time to get the tree up, but I have my Christmas village set up in my living room window. I’m listening to soothing Christmas music on-line on Pandora and I’m starting to think about those Christmas cards.
I guess for Christmas, this is as peaceful as it gets.
There are some people who want to
throw their arms round you simply
because it is Christmas; there are
other people who want to strangle
you simply because it is Christmas.
Robert Lynd
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