The same thing seems to happen every year. It’s a beautiful summer day. Then all of a sudden, Christmas is only three weeks away. How does that happen?
It’s not just Christmas. It happens with Thanksgiving too. I didn’t realize that Thanksgiving was approaching until five days prior when it was suggested to me, “You should get a turkey.” To which I responded, “Why?”
Thanksgiving turned out well and is now over, which only means that Christmas is even closer. I have cards to buy and fill out, gifts to purchase, decorations to hang, and a Christmas tree to put up that should have been put up last Friday.
Yesterday I spoke with a little girl who has already bought all the gifts for her family, and I’ve not even made a list for mine. How can a little girl have everything done, while a grown woman has yet to start?
I would like to say that it’s a matter of procrastination. However the truth is, is that I forget entirely. I’m only in my 30s, so it shouldn’t be age. Is it that I’m too busy? Too caught up in the everyday routine of life?
Maybe the weeks and months fly by too quickly for me. I would love to be one of those people who has all their gifts bought months in advance and greeting cards filled out, just waiting to be mailed.
Every year I tell myself that the next year will be different. Yet here I am, with no Christmas tree up, not even a single gift idea and no cards bought. So it looks like I’ll be doing everything last minute once again.
But, there’s always next year! It’ll be different…maybe.
How about you? Are you one of those who are ahead of the game, and if so how do you do it? Or, do the holidays sneak up on you also?
Me - Who am I? 
I think I am like you. Now I have down-sized my holiday gift buying and usually send cards to just a few people and those who sent them to me. That has made it less stressful and less expensive. But I know it is hard when you have kids at home.
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That would make it much less stressful. We’ve downsized here too, especially now that my son is in his teens. But I think it’s more of lack of time than downsizing honestly. If I had more time, I’d get more. It can certainly be expensive though, both cards and gifts.
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The week before Thanksgiving a co-worker said that she was so excited for her time off the next week. And I was silent – trying desperately to remember when I had approved her time off – and she goes “You do remember that next week is Thanksgiving, right?”
oh, yeah… right, of course I remember!
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That is too funny. I’m glad I’m not the only one who is forgetful around this time of year.
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This year is the first time I wrapped Christmas gifts in November and only because my boyfriend is going to move in with me. I have too little space (we are unsuccessfully looking for a big place together) so if he finds him, they are wrapped at least? How I managed to get them a month in advance is a mystery even for me. As for gifts for the rest of my family, the old patter applies: “Christmas? WTF? It was only just Summer recently. How did this happen?”
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That’s great motivation to buy gifts early. Maybe that’s all it takes; a little bit of added motivation. Good for you for accomplishing such timeliness this year! Seriously, it’s summer one day and Christmas the next. I’m convinced there’s a time warp.
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Last-minute? Yes, I will pick a day in December and go shopping at 9 a.m. and shop until I have bought for all on my ever-downsizing list, Me Who. That’s good for me. I have been know to last-second the holidays in my bad self past, long ago.
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Shopping for a day is a great plan, Mark. Maybe I’ll schedule in just one day and try that this year. Last second shopping would make for a crazy night, but I’ve seen it done.
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The whole key is not to panic, Me Who. There is plenty of goods just waiting to be purchased and wrapped!
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I have also noticed this phenomenon….time speeding up! Very strange thing this…don’t you remember when we were young and Christmas seemed aeons away because time crawled?…yes, this is definitely something weird going on with this….I’m quite sure it has nothing to do with the fact that we’re older either!
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Yes, I do remember that. Christmas took forever to arrive! Now it appears out of nowhere. Something fishy is going on.
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I am not ahead of the game. Some where in the middle of it. I haven’t even decided if I’m doing cards this year. I’ve been so sick, and as a result, energy-less for a few weeks now. I’ve got the kids presents done, which is all that matters really. No decorations done. Don’t know if I will. No one is coming here for the holidays. As always, we will spend the holidays traveling to every where else. So if I get an urge to decorate….I will. If I get an urge to do cards….I will. Until then….I haven’t. 🙂
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I’m so sorry that you’ve been sick still. I was hoping that you were feeling better by now. At least you got the kids taken care of. You’re right that that’s what matters. Even more than that though, is the time that you all get to spend together. It must be somewhat nice that you spend the holidays elsewhere, since that kind of takes the pressure off having to decorate your home. I really hope you feel better soon!
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Thank you MeWhoAmI. I shouldn’t even complain. It’s not serious…it’s just lingering sooooo long. And it’s taken all of my energy. And you’re right. My husband and I have both taken note that not having celebrations here makes for a lot less stress at home. But then again…I’ve gotten to the point that if we do have something at home….it’s as low key as possible. If you get here and you’re hungry. Then eat. You don’t wait for a scheduled dinner. Or for someone else to show up. It’s about relaxing and enjoying. 🙂 Which drives others crazy. And thank you for the well wishes!
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Serious or not, illnesses have way of wiping us out. It does take some stress off for sure. When we have big get-togethers elsewhere and others share in the load, it is quite nice. I like your low key idea. It’s in the fridge – if you want it, go get it.
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The low stress is the way to go. My mom refuses to use throw away stuff for get togethers. But guess who is always standing in the kitchen doing clean up?????? (Not complaining because she is always the one doing the cooking etc) But more time being together is more valuable than fancy eating plates. 😉
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What you have is called ‘selective memory’. I’ve been told by doctors that I have short-term memory loss from the stroke I had. Yet, I can remember things. It can be from long ago, just minutes ago or even a few days ago. But if it’s something like a movie I did not like, I can’t remember it. I can watch it, or at least try to watch it over and over again and I won’t remember from one time to the next. I have ‘selective memory loss’. I’m not saying that you don’t like the holidays, but it could be you dread the preparation and therefore block the whole thing out.
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I’m sorry about the stroke you had. That must have been terrifying, but I’m glad to know that you seemingly recovered well from it – overall that is. I tend to do the same thing with movies, but it’s usually because my mind is elsewhere.
You’ve brought up some good thoughts here, and you’ve really got me thinking. You may very well be onto something. I don’t think that it’s the preparation though. That I really don’t mind. I enjoy the ‘idea’ of the holidays. But, I did grow up with a lot of bad holidays and came to dread them. After all these years, I suppose that I still fear that they will turn out rotten. Glynis…thank you. Now, how to stop that cycle. That’s the question.
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Your comment inspired today’s post. Thanks again!
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Last minute, but that shouldn’t be a surprise. Due to the many horrible gifts I have chosen for my kids, I always feel as if I don’t know them because I ALWAYS have one or two duds. Gift cards take the pressure off me, and this year, some of the money I would have spent on gifts, went to charity.
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I’m sure they loved the gifts, duds and all. 🙂 But, don’t you just love that look of “um, thanks?” Ha! I’ve gotten that one from my son too. Yes, gift cards! Those can come in so handy. Giving to charity is wonderful thing. There are so many people and organizations in need.
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