Kids are grown.

Take time for yourself to relax.

But I still make small gifts (hats,, scarves, slippers) for the grandkids... and I do baking from other family friends and our immediate neighbors (with whom we have become very close).

I'm aware that I do this to myself.

Years ago it started off being a challenge to myself to come up w/ lovely homemade things. For a while I did it because we couldn't afford to buy things.

Now it starts off being a way to 1) keep myself busy during the cold months and 2) make lovely things.

But I never want anyone to feel left out. The truth is chances are high that no one is keeping track.

But if I do manage to get it all done,, there IS a GREAT feeling of accomplishment.

For years, work used to do small gifts for everyone. We'd leave them on peoples desks the morning of our munchie party. As the numbers of coworkers grew, I started making small boxes of cookies, then it morphed into themed presents when our workteam grew even more (hubby became a director and I work in a team in the same place). Between his teams and my team, we would make gifts for 42 people. By themed presents, I mean one small box of cookies, honey sticks, and tea bags, or something like a small 4oz jar of homemade pepper jelly and a package of crackers. The real present was we donated to a cause we all supported in the team's name. The time consuming part was packing and wrapping all those presents! I will say that it seemed to be appreciated by all but one person.

The first 2 years after Covid, we all did a 'secret santa', then all that just stopped.

Happy Holidays. 🎄

or making gifts, was fun. Watching all the craziness was fun. These days, my friends and I give each other gifts throughout the year if we run across something special. Mostly, we just get together and celebrate.

I also understand that we are not quite the norm, but then, none of us ever have been.

Be kind to yourself. Try to relax and enjoy.

Is getting together w/ family/friends over some good food.

So for the most part, the only thing that HAS to be done is some contribution to that.

Like I said... the stress is mostly self-imposed

tradition. I tucked some money and ID in pockets, went to the mall, treated myself at the specialty coffee store to one of their holiday creations (with LOTS of whipped cream), and then I would wander thrrough the mall, or just sit and watch the insanity. Amused me no end!

It'd be doubly fun to scan the mall from the window of a mall pub.

Couple of eggnogs... hum along to the holiday music...

Maybe lefty and I can do that next year

probably do not notice. I have scaled back considerably. I wish we could enjoy the holidays without the stress. Let’s kick back with some hot chocolate, inside our cozy homes, and enjoy December just because it’s December.

just over 2 weeks ago. All Christmas stuff was put on hold. It's been one week in FL, one week at home, since the beginning of November. We're back home for now and we're going to try to just stay home until after the new year. Thankfully work decided to give us both the 22nd and the 23rd off so today is the last day we work until January 2nd.

I always make a needle felted fake food plate with dessert for my one grand niece and am doing a felted character from a book that I bought my nephew. I'm sure part of it's vanity on my part, but the kids REALLY love playing restaurant and are still playing with things I made them 3 yrs ago. Right now, they only have 2 tempura shrimp and a penguin with a rainbow mohawk. I'll concentrate on the rest those extra 2 days. There's always baking, but my daughter said she'll head that up. We have to sing a concert tomorrow, and we want to attend a caroling party on Sunday night.

I made a list so I can tick things off as we go because I was afraid I'd miss something important. I wouldn't change anything but the timing is all off with everything that's happened this year.

I think I can get it all done, then I'll allow myself a few days to chill out AFTER Christmas... Then I need to seriously jump into getting our house ready for guests and decide on a gown. Our son gets married mid March!

I seriously wish life came with a 'pause' button sometimes!

You might consider it.

I have taken a lot of pressure off myself in many ways.

The WDNC means We Do Not Care. This is a club for perio, menopausal and post menopausal women. Not that we don't love or value others, but we have ceased to care about the mundane and impossible things we used to do as an automatic response to others. It sure is relieving and I love it.

I don't know the one who wrote Labor, but it is so spot on.
My new obsession is Bella International. You should look her up on YouTube.

she's climbing to the base camp in the Himalayas. A newer song is called Grand Witch

No worries…. Might drink a little too much spiked something or other 😁 though