Christmas Crazyness

Well am I the only one feeling over whelmed ???? I adore Christmas  but what I do not like is try to do soooooo many fun things in 25 days. My girls want to do it all but this mama is having a hard time keeping up. So it hit me the other day, why do we have to do Hanukah, Saint Lucia, boxing day, ect all in December. It is more important to have a joyous day not an exhausting crammed December. So I have decide part of winter corners (which will not start till after Christmas) we will do some of these traditions. Spread out the fun. So maybe if any of you are feeling the crunch like me, remember it does not all have to happen now !!!!

No-Alcoholic Wassail

Really this is spiced cider but wassail sounds so much more Christmassy. I do not like it too spicy so this is my version which I make in a crock-pot so it will keep it warm. I add to a gallon of cider, 2 cinnamon sticks, 6 whole cloves, 1 orange thickly slices, 1 vanilla bean. If you want to add some spirits a rich ale or rum is good.

Comments

[Jody]

I took a few candles, some lights and two candle wreaths out of the many Xmas rubbermaid boxes and sent the boys back to storage with them. I'm in the Christmas spirit, but am wanting a more simple, quiet, homey feeling. Just when I think of *adding* one extra here or there, I remember that Christmas will come whether or not we do it all or are completely *ready*.

Your Wassail sounds delish.
~Jody

[Debra]

... A wonderful idea. Actually, I try to stretch out Christmas throughout the whole year and I'm finding more and more that December becomes much more calm as the years go by. Blessings, Debra

[Debbie]

You're not alone~I have been a tad stressed lately. It seemed I was off to a good start, but as yet I still have much decorating, baking, etc. to go. Of course, the pressure I feel is all self-imposed...every new craft & recipe I see, I want to try!
The wassail sounds great and easy.
Debbie

['MN']

Mmmm, I'm loving it, that lots of blogs are addressing Christmas Season Stress and etc. Yesssss! There is hope!

If we are noticing stress, we can think up ways to lessen it. Like you have. Yessss!

[Mrs.Staggs]

Well, it helps to know that I am in good company!
I am trying to choose the things to do that are most special to me and my family and let go of the rest. I want to keep things simpler this year and I yet I'm still starting to feel a little overwhelmed. I think for me the trick is going to be to get all of the "crowded" things out of the way first and I'm going to try and finish that all up by the first of next week. Things like the post office and buying the gifts I will need to get at places that I don't usually shop at...like malls. Then I can relax and enjoy the rest of the preparations, like the decorating and the baking. Oh and the wrapping. I love to wrap presents!
We don't have to do it all to make it a lovely time of year.

[Jill]

Clarice,

Yes, a grand idea to spread the spirit out...
January is tax time for me, and what better than to add some holiday cheer during that time.
Great idea, and I'm sure the girls are looking forward to extending the celebrations into the winter months.
Jill 00

[Abby]

Clarice,
I think you have a great idea! So many times we are overwhelmed and then feel let down after Christmas. Spreading the fun and celebrations through Winter sounds good to me. Looking forward to your winter corners. I love wassail, too and the song, Joanne.

[carolyn]

I remember for a couple of years there I tried to do it all and ended up getting so stressed out that I was sick by Christmas day. Now we have a special Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year and Epithany and because they are all in the holidays everything is very relaxed.

[Joanne]

I make this often over the winter months and I too, love the sound of wassail...makes me want to sing:
"Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a-wand'ring
So fair to be seen.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.