I’m very excited about Christmas this year. Not only will it be Bug’s first Christmas and the beginning of Wog’s understanding about Advent, but it will be my first Simple Christmas. This girl’s taking it WAY easy this year. I’ve been aching to do it for years. But then Wog was born and I felt like I needed to overdo EVERYTHING to make his first Christmas over the top. Then last Christmas, I felt like I needed to be Super Christmas Mom, baking, gifting, and chocolate-covering everything in site… just like my Mom has always done. What I ended up with was a grumpy, mumbly Christmas attitude.

Then, out of nowhere, here come the holidays. Again. By October 1, I was completely overwhelmed and defeated at all of the things I wouldn’t be able to do for the holidays. I mean, as I think you’ve picked up on already, I wasn’t exactly succeeding at the everyday stuff as a mom of two. I was in no way delusional enough to think I could bake the first tree-shaped cookie with a whiny Wog and a fussy Bug. Then, at a work staff meeting that I wasn’t at, my last year Secret Santa recipient expressed her displeasure with my gift-giving abilities in front of, oh, THE WHOLE STAFF (and, yeah, she called me by name). Then, this happened. Bye bye went the Christmas mojo.

Did you notice what was missing from my Christmas thoughts, stresses, worries and woes? Yeah, Jesus. The “Reason for the Season” and all. It’s been a long time since Jesus was the Reason for my Season. For me, it’s been about gifts no one really likes (my nephew actually tried to give his gift from us away last year and my mom gave me my niece’s gift from us back once it’d been left at her house -unused- for over six months), casseroles no one really eats (my mom is the cook of all cooks and no one else’s can compare), and decorations that no one really sees (our house sucks and I don’t invite people over–ever). What a way to spin my wheels for all these years.

So this year, friends, here is my memo mission statement manifesto on Christmas:
I will have a Simple Christmas. I will spend time daily reflecting on the Savior’s birth. I will put up a tree for Woggie’s Buzz Lightyear ornament. I will string lights on it as a reminder of the Bright Star of Bethlehem. I will give simple gifts that are meaningful and/or practical (realizing that not all of our family members appreciate the former). I will not bake, unless requested by my family. I will not attempt to craft. I will not purchase any magazine that urges me to do either of the aforementioned. I will send cards to close friends and family only. I will take time to enjoy our families, quirks and all. I will talk to Woggie about Santa and how he demonstrates charity to others. I will teach Woggie about Advent, taking the precious opportunity as he learns, to relearn the True Meaning of Christmas.

Sometimes it feels like the whole world has lost the Real Christmas Spirit and that those who manage to keep Advent at the center have lost the ability to have fun with the other stuff. I think you can experience and enjoy both. At least I hope you can. I am already feeling the joy of a lighter Christmas load. What about you? What are you doing that is different this year? Something simpler? Enhancing a special part of your family’s Holiday?