To Do List

The closer the holidays are, the more there is to do. Our "to do list" is getting quite lengthy! Sometimes I wonder why we do it all--and we don't do NEAR as much as some families do! Years ago, I decided to simplify our lives in many ways--I don't do very many things "from scratch" and I have NO shame about it. I keep the store-bought foods in their packages and make no apologies. Some people TRY to camouflage ready-made things as homemade, but not me. Why fake it...what's the point? So I am NOT a cookie-baking, cake-making, costume-sewing kind of mom--SO?!! Cookies are either from the bakery or from a tube of refrigerator dough. Cakes are usually straight from the bakery--but I do SOMETIMES get a Better Crocker mix. And sewing?--um, heck no--HATE it! Costumes come straight from the store or are thrown together with mix and match pieces around the house. My mother and mother-in-law are the ultimate domestic divas--holidays at their houses are full of wonder in the kitchen/sewing rooms/craft rooms. I tell my teens that if they want that to continue, that they better learn how because it is skipping my generation. When it is my turn to host, we will either be eating out at a nice restaurant or I will have everything catered. When I am the "grandma", we don't have to all gather at my house--why don't we meet somewhere fun? And when there are small kids expecting Santa, I think that is BEST done in the home of the kids. I only packed up our Santa stash 3 times while raising kids--it was tough! The other times, and even now with teens, we like to be HOME in OUR house for Christmas. We can visit before or after, but we like to do things OUR way in OUR home on the actual day. Thanksgiving is usually spent at relatives houses--when it is my turn to host, I WON'T be cooking! I have some great ideas of things I want to do--the main thing is, I DON'T feel the need to cook, clean, or serve my family in order to make the holidays seem right. I will set new traditions--FUN traditions, but new and different ones. I believe with all of my heart that I can host a wonderful holiday without spending hours in the kitchen--I can show my love in other ways besides food! :)