Christmas Fa-la-la Preparation...Makes My Monday

I get it.

For some people, thinking about Christmas before Thanksgiving

is way too hard on the

brain, the heart, and the wallet.

But as soon as I begin to see Christmas decorations in stores, I feel

secretly gleeful (even though I hear others voice their disdain.)

Every year around this time, it is like I have

been sniffing "Get Merry Manic Glue."

Then, I begin checking things off my preparations list.

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This year we (along with my parents) are sponsoring

a family for Christmas and

I finished all of the shopping for that family this past weekend.

Next week, we will wrap the presents and set a date

for mid-December to

deliver them to their house and to visit

with them for a while.I am quite excited!

I met the family a few weeks ago; I immediately connected

with the parents and I adored the 3 children.

*

The annual cookie exchange is how I make merry with my

high school friends, and we have

been participating in this tomfoolery for about

25 years now.

I've chosen the plates I will use, the cookies I

will distribute, and I

know how I will fancy-up my presentation

so that no one will know/care that I make

my baked offerings from a mix.

(Throw in enough butter, vanilla, and M&M's and no one's the wiser.)

Hey- don't judge me.

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Since we have 22 nieces and nephews on my side,

we don't buy individual gifts for them anymore.

Instead, we buy a DVD for each family

and create a little

movie night gift set- complete with bad-for-you candy.

Movies (check)

Candy (Mostly check)

Popcorn bowls as gift containers (check)

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And...

St. Nicholas Day is coming.

(December 6th)

This is the day where I leave holy cards and

candy in my students' lockers, leave candy

in my husband's shoes, and drop off small gifts on the front steps of

my parents' and my friends' houses.

Holy cards (check)

Some candy and gifts (check)

As annoying as it may be to some,

I LOVE preparing for Christmas early.

In this way, during December I can hum along to the music,

look at all the decorations, find some peaceful advent moments, and

drive by the crowded malls without having to stop.

(Okay...even when I plan ahead like a fuss bucket, I always end up

having to do last minute shopping if the real truth be told.)

All this and visions of sugarplums....Make My Monday.

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