During the rush of preparations for the Christmas holiday, I keep myself going with thoughts of crossing the finish line. The excitement as I shop, bake, clean, and decorate exhausts me. There are moments when I consider whether it’s worth the effort.
Holidays are stressful, especially for women. When I was younger, my automatic response to my husband’s question about what gift I wanted was, “I want a wife.” I dreamed of having a wife to plan the holiday gatherings, communicate with family and friends, wrap gifts beautifully, and show up for each event with a festive spirit.
Thankfully, as I’ve grown older, I’ve let go of many of the roles I previously had for hosting during the holidays. I no longer put up and decorate three trees. One tree sometimes seems too much! I prefer lunches with friends rather than evening parties. I’m happy to be on the sidelines, allowing my son and daughter-in-law to host the big event on the big day. I give and get many fewer gifts as our family and friend circle has grown smaller due to distance and death. I miss these people. However, I cherish new traditions and take action to ensure that some holiday traditions continue.
Baking with my two grandchildren is a new tradition. Although tiny hands can make a mess when decorating cookies with icing and sugar sprinkles, I turn a blind eye knowing that floors and counters can be cleaned. What joy to observe my six-year-old grandson cutting the stars, gingerbread men, snowmen, and trees with the cookie cutters inherited from my mother’s kitchen! The endless tasting of fudge or licking the stirring spoon when a batter is finished is part of the fun. The day takes patience. Perfection is set aside. Memory banks fill up when the children enjoy Christmas baking at grandma’s house and that thought makes everything about the day worthwhile.
On Christmas Eve we go to our son and daughter-in-law’s house for dinner and a sleepover. We eat a big meal, toast the season, and sometimes allow each of the children to open one gift. Many of their friends and neighbours congregate at various times during the evening to tell stories, eat Christmas goodies and play music. As the elders in the crowd, it would be easy for my husband and me to feel sidelined or invisible while others are laughing and having fun. That never happens as everyone includes us, even in some of the dancing! What joy to engage in fun a younger generation!
Staying up late to party means lots of coffee on Christmas morning. The fatigue erases quickly as we watch our grandchildren express delight with new toys and other gifts. There’s hustle and noise and enthusiasm. Even the pets in the house share the excitement exploring empty gift boxes and chasing balls of foil wrapping paper!
After brunch and more coffee, it’s time to come home to a long Christmas Day nap. Sometimes we have a light dinner although usually we skip another big meal in favour of cheese and crackers and a quiet evening in front of the fireplace. We reminisce about past Christmas celebrations and cherish good memories of friends and family members who are no longer with us.
The days after Christmas bring opportunities for relaxation at home. This is my favourite time as it means the holiday finish line has been crossed. The celebrations can be exhausting for everyone. But, those few days after Christmas bring relief. That’s when I find the true peace of the season. It’s a time to putter around the house slowly taking down decorations. We eat leftovers to empty the fridge. I walk outdoors to recover and reset.
Crossing the holiday finish line means that I can sit and read my books, drink tea and be cozy in slippers and jeans for as long as possible………hopefully until it’s time to pack up and go to the cottage for a quiet New Year celebration for only two of us!
I will close with my 2025 wishes to all Postworksavvy readers for a healthy and happy new year!
Happy New Year to you too! Our family left yesterday afternoon after 10 days, so the two of us enjoyed a quiet New Year’s Eve and are finally getting to put our feet up and relax, today. Whilst we’d definitely do it all again, I do feel I deserve the current indulgent solitude.
After 10 days of hosting your family, you deserve a medal! I’m sure that you will find holiday relief once the tasks related to putting your home in order are completed. There is comfort in the usual daily routines! Enjoy your solitude and the good memories of the visit with your family.
It sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas with family. With us not being home at Christmas, we don’t have all the work of decorating, etc. At times, it’s hard for it to feel like Christmas, but we add in music, a wreath and a few cards on the camper wall, and we took a visit to see holiday decor. No grand kids here. How fun to be able to make cookies and memories with little ones. Best wishes for a wonderful New Year!
Our Christmas with family was lovely and I do so enjoy baking with my grandchildren. We often bake when they visit the cottage. One of my 6 year old grandson’s favourite Christmas presents was a children’s baking book! I wish you and your husband every happiness as you pursue travel and volunteerism in 2025! I love reading about your adventures on your blog.
Happy New Year Jeanette and Rudy! Your Christmas sounds delightful! Our son and family depart for home tomorrow. It has been both fun and stressful for us entertaining in our Bath townhouse….so while we will feel relief in returning our home to its customary order and peace, we will miss them all, too…..until the next time! Mrs. Santa….Over and Out!
Happy New Year right back to you and Mick! Having family visits during the holidays can be a mixed blessing! Returning to customary routines will be the true blessing of the season! Enjoy the relief and the true peace!