I sometimes delay Fun until it magically becomes Not Fun — particularly around the holidays. For example, I love choosing presents, but I wait until the twelfth hour and abracadabra. I’m at the Container Store on Christmas Eve beating someone senseless with a Keepsake Shadowbox.
Last year, I realized there are a things I must do during the holiday season, or I feel under-celebratory — like I missed everything and I’m starting the New Year off-kilter. So these are my holiday resolutions for 2013:
1. Hang a wreath on the front door. I can buy it, make it, whatever. It just makes me happy to have a reminder that these few months are celebratory. Nice things are happening, and I am a part of them.
2. Arrange a Thanksgiving dinner with all the crucials. Turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, pumpkin pie, apple pie, spiked cider. And some decorative gourds. That shit is going to look so seasonal.
3. Host a leftovers party. Ask friends to bring whatever’s still in the fridge or what’s left of the bourbon. Invite friends who are willing to nap.
4. Obtain a tree weeks before Christmas. You’re going to do this eventually, just get on the stick. Pine fresh living room for weeks!
5. Stock the advent calendar. Oh man, the kid goes nuts for this. And all the presents are so satisfying and tiny.
6. Send cards. Send them in enough time that people realize they’re still on your list. That way they send you something back. And you can make one of those slightly terrible card-wreaths, and sigh with contentment every time you open your mailbox and find real mail.
7. Get new pajamas for Christmas Eve. For the kiddo, and also for me. This is the present we unwrap the night before so everyone gets new PJs for lounging on Christmas Day.
8. Purchase gifts before December hits. I like getting everything online in enough time that Etsy will wrap it for me. I also like to order small host gifts in advance, so I have something thoughtful to bring to parties and I don’t have to squeeze in a visit to the corner store for a bottle of wine en route.
9. Trade stockings with another single girlfriend. Stockings are my favorite part of Christmas morning, I love filling them and opening them. Important.
10. Open the house up on Christmas Day. Bake cookies so everything smells nice. Put out a ham and sandwich fixings. Receive guests in your jammies.
11. Wear a sparkly dress. New Year’s almost doesn’t count if I’m not wearing sequins. I will also need a paper hat, a party blower, confetti, new chonies, and an early dinner reservation.
12. Make no-fail New Year’s Resolutions. Last year I ate so many doughnuts, you guys.
These pretty much cover it for me too! I’ve had think about the holidays on my to-do list for the last week, without actually thinking about the holidays. Thank you for the jumpstart.
1. My husband’s aunt sends us a wreath every year for Christmas. I highly recommend obtaining an aunt who does this.
3. Leftovers party? Brilliant.
4. We get our tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Except for this year, when we won’t be able to do that. We might have to get it on Friday instead.
6. I love the cards. I hang them all on the wall.
7. We do this for the kids. I should include the grown-ups, too.
9. That’s brilliant. You should have the internet send you a stocking. I’d contribute.
I love the idea of an Internet stocking. Maybe next year when I have more organizing oomph.
Your list hints at something very important–that there is great comfort and satisfaction in performing what seem like cliched rituals. I love your ideas.
Amen. Except I have NO idea how to effectively wear something sparkly and parent a 14 month old. Or how the bejesus I will be keeping both the cat and the baby off the tree.
I’m in for three! NAPPING. Our list, well, there is no list this year. Baby is wildcard.
But I am going to attempt sparkles/ NYE babysitting.
I think Chao is coming to town for New Year’s. We need a plan.
Stocking trade?! You are the Queen of Brilliance.
My dream job is to be a professional stocking filler.
Pausing to think, I believe that job title is SANTA.
Dream big, my friend.
New Christmas Eve pajamas you say? I’m partial to these (http://www.thecatspjs.com), preferably monogrammed and ideally accompanied by a good stiff G&T.
I love the new pajamas idea! Will be doing that this year for my boyfriend and I.
i could be your single stocking swapper.
and i can bring the stocking-stuffing game like whoa. especially if we can trade on the 26th so i can have texas provisions.
Yes to this! In person and on the interwebs.
This was so inspirational that my household made a Holiday List too! Thanks for being INSPIRING!