Thinking Ahead...

Here it is, October 19th, and I am already feeling a bit stressed out about Christmas.  I decided to try and make all the gifts I am going to give this year (or buy handmade things I can't make...) and thinking about the mere two months that remain until the holiday season is upon us makes me feel frantic with all the things I have yet to do.  

Truthfully, I have a bit of an issue with Christmas.  I love the idea of it -snow swirling outside, happy warm people inside enjoying each other's company and lots of delicious food...giving gifts that make people smile...waking up on dark mornings to see the lights of the Christmas tree...rosy cheeks and hot chocolate.  And the weeks leading up to it are usually quite lovely, but somehow with the rush of trying to make everything ready and perfect and trying to schedule four family Christmases without hurting anyone's feelings tends to take over.  Every year I promise myself that I won't become anxious or cranky over the holidays, but it never quite seems to work.  My plan this year is to be prepared way ahead of time so I don't have to rush at the last minute.  Any bets that it'll work?
-Maria