Now that I think about it, these “high hopes” are the same ones I have every year—the same ones I fail miserably at.The month always starts out well enough.
Michelle kicks things off with an organized Secret Santa draw. She uses an app called “Drawnames”, where everyone who wants to join gets paired up. You make your wish list, peek at everyone else’s, and it all feels manageable.
And then? Things unravel faster than a cheap strand of Christmas lights.
I can break it down into three major culprits:
Emotional Exhaustion and Overcommitment
I’m already running on empty from my job and daily demands. I wake up early, and from there, it’s go, go, go. Most days, I need a nap before making dinner, but there’s no time for that in December. Less sleep means I’m cranky and drained—not exactly the festive spirit anyone hopes for.
The holidays pile on more obligations: shopping, decorating, and family gatherings. And did I mention my birthday is in December? Yeah. Having a birthday six days before Christmas feels like an imposition on everyone. If my birthday were in May, people might actually want an excuse to celebrate. In December? Not so much.
Perfectionism and High Expectations
As an eternal optimist (with a side of perfectionism), I put pressure on myself to create the perfect holiday moments. What starts out joyful can quickly turn into a stress-fest.
Take our sugar cookie tradition, for example. Michelle and I bake dozens of Grandma Is’ cut-out cookies. Then we gather the family to frost and decorate them. A couple of years ago, we smartly paired this event with my birthday. Now, at least there’s a reason to gather beyond just me.
Another “must” on my list is making gingerbread houses. It was a favorite project during my teaching years, and I want to keep it going now that I’m retired.
And then there’s our latest tradition: holiday picture painting. Michelle and I find simple ideas online, and we all paint on small canvases. It’s creative, fun, and not as messy as you might think.
Financial Stress
Managing credit card debt makes holiday spending tricky. I want to be generous, but I also need to stay within my budget.
As a kid, I got everything on my Christmas wish list. Now, as an adult, I feel pressure to meet or exceed my children’s expectations. The closer we get to Christmas, the more I feel the need to splurge on those big-ticket items.
What’s the Solution?
I could simplify. I could focus on a few meaningful traditions instead of doing it all. Maybe prioritize things that bring awe and joy, like a nature walk with the dogs or cozy TV nights with Craig. But will that feel special enough?
I could set boundaries or delegate. I could say no to draining events and hand off decorating or meal prep to family members. Maybe even make it fun by “involving” everyone. Sure, they’d love that. (Cue eye-roll.)
Or, I could practice mindful gift-giving. I could give thoughtful, low-cost presents like handwritten notes or life-coach-style letters filled with encouragement and gratitude,. which would tap into my coaching skills and save money.
So, this year, I’ll aim to simplify, delegate, and be mindful. Or, more realistically, I’ll try to survive December without turning into a festive Grinch. Who knows? Maybe by next year, I’ll actually have this figured out. (Spoiler alert: I won’t.)
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