It is mid-October. The Halloween hype is in full force. TV specials. Pumpkins on doorsteps and fake cobwebs in trees. Costumes in the Sunday newspaper flyers. I can deal with Halloween. This year I will be marching in the local parade alongside a firefighter, a MEAN witch and a baby chick. We will see friends. We will trick or treat. We will eat too much candy. And then, it will be over.
But after Halloween? Thanksgiving. Christmas. The New Year. Yes. The holiday season already is upon us.
I like the holidays. I do. Somehow even though we are vegetarians, Thanksgiving is fun. (Hee Hee) And with Christmas comes family traditions new and old. Driving through the park to look at the lights; cutting down our own tree; putting out my nutcracker collection; Chinese food on Christmas eve; Christmas dinner at Sarah’s house.
I even like the gifts. I like the chaos of Christmas morning. Now that I have kids, I want them to have extravagant Christmases. Like the ones we had. Lots of gifts to open. It’s fun. It’s unlike any other day. It’s the day they are spoiled. And I get to do the spoiling. It’s good for all of us. We get to let go and dive in.
But there is not enough time to prepare for the holidays without enduring stress. There are so many expectations. So many things I want to do for my kids. For my friends. For my family. Every year I make mustard to give to friends and family, coworkers and neighbors. I’ve been doing this for years (i.e., pre-children). And I’m up to about 3 dozen jars. It’s fun. I enjoy it. I like always having something on hand that is homemade that I can give to the person who gives me something unexpectedly. But planning the mustard making? With three children? And everything else going on? Well, let’s face it, I’m already thinking about it. It’s going to be nearly impossible.
Because there is just so much more to do around the holidays. And how can we as mothers possibly accomplish MORE? I feel so much of the time like I can barely accomplish the minimum to feed, clothe, bathe (occasionally) and spend adequate time with my children one-on-one. Where can I find more time? Time to shop. And make shopping lists. To cook. To attend the occasional holiday party. To put the lights in the windows. And how will it all happen joyously, as the season dictates?
I know I will be busy. That after I manage to squeeze out the time to make a (MEAN) witch’s cape between now and Halloween, the season will accelerate until we are putting away the nutcrackers and taking down the tree and I will be feeling a pang of sadness that it’s all over and relief that we can go back to the usual mayhem.
It’s another example of the plight of motherhood. I do my best to anticipate and remember every detail before it’s too late. To make time for everything. And then? There are more details to attend to tomorrow. But no more time. Holiday or no holiday.
Read More in holidays, Jen Writes, three kids
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No pressure, Sis, but we’re already looking forward to your mustard round these parts. To quote Dan: “I wish we had some of your sister’s mustard left.”
Also, thoughts on a vegetarian-friendly Christmas dinner? Lasagna? Butternut squash risotto? Ralphie’s Chocolate Cake as the main course?
I’m laid up in bed with this damn cold so I might as well commence my internet shopping. Start your engines…the holidays are here!
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vegetarian supper? tofurkey. or, toficken.
snicker.
seriously, there is always the holiday dilemma. if you have time for all the holiday shit, there’s no money. if there’s money, there’s no time.
so where do i get me some mustard? (JUST KIDDING. maybe.)
Chinese food for Christmas eve, that’s genius! And making mustard, ooh! As a mother who makes a lot from scratch to avoid additives/preservatives/food coloring in our diets, I would love to learn how to make mustard, too!
A gift I once considered giving was homemade vanilla extract. I love homemade gifts, too. This year I’ll be attempting to make a lot of clothing for my children and as gifts for my nieces. As a novice on the sewing machine and with six kids, I don’t know how well that’ll turn out ;) But here’s to hoping! :)