You do NOT like Christmas baking. Before the delusion sets in- that conviction you have of the smell of fudge, sugar cookies, toffee and teacakes making your life complete, please stop and ponder Christmases past. Remember what this time is REALLY like.
Inevitably, as the holiday rush bears down on you, someone will contract head lice and the entire house will need fumigating once or twice
The kids' Christmas parties (football, ballet, church, school) will be overshadowed by all of the birthday parties they are invited to, and none of them are within 20 minutes of driving time to your house.
You won't remember to book your hair appointment for December, so you will be forced to continually try to push your hair out of your eyes while dragging every cookie sheet out of the far back recesses of the lower corner cabinets (clue number one that you don't really enjoy baking or they might be easier to get to).
And that great plan you have of setting aside a few days JUST for baking and addressing cards? Someone will need an ambulance ride or, the husband who feels he hasn't done enough to help you
Because you tend to convince yourself that it is not Christmas until those 2-day Sugar cookies are properly frosted and delivered to people who probably are beyond their fill of baked goods and sweets, you will forge ahead late into the night while your family sleeps. You will snap at them all in the morning when you are too tired to show any patience. Your daughter's school uniform will have missed the wash because you were so distracted with baking. Despite your late night bake-fest, one plate will be missed or left behind in the rush to get on the bus.
DON'T DO IT! The family will be happier. The poor friends and neighbors forced to smile and act like they look forward to your labor of love will appreciate your decision to take the year off.
And you, my well-meaning self, can sit down with a nice hot chocolate and watch It's A Wonderful Life and realize...
that it is (when you slow down and live in the moment).
Where's the "like" button for this post?
ReplyDeleteI used to go all out baking for the holidays, but I gave it up the last few years. It has made the season much nicer. I've discovered they sell cookies and fudge at the grocery store too! ;) Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteOh boy. This post is for every, single, one of us out here. Who knew this wonderful time of year could be so freaking stressful? BAH! I have had a hideously stiff neck for three days now and everyone was telling me it was because of stress. I'm starting to believe them.
ReplyDeleteHope all of your baking is now done (or long forgotten about) and that you are able to enjoy this holiday properly.
I baked a batch of cookies and a batch of fudge with he intention of giving some of them away.
ReplyDeleteI assembled one plate, for the neighbor downstairs.
We just polished off that plate about an hour ago.
It was delicious, I'm sure they would have enjoyed it.