So much to do, so little time…

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Christmas seriously snuck up on me this year. I know, news flash: it comes around at the same time every year, but I still didn’t see it coming. Christmas is only 14 days away (WHAT?) and while I love this time of the year, it’s also always a little stressful what with the things I need/want to get done. I feel like I am way behind on my to-do-list and I have some serious “squeezing stuff in” to do.

Finalize my Christmas gift list and finish some of the actual (online) shopping. I am usually more organized and start Christmas shopping well in advance, but this year? Not so much. I have done some brainstorming and I always have a “gift ideas”-list on hand throughout the year, so I hope checking this off my list won’t be too painful. Of course, there are always the people that are generally hard to shop for, and last minute ideas will have to do.

Finish the photo book that I am putting together for my family from their visit in the States this summer. I really hope I can finish it in time. This is so much work.

Get my holiday cards and gifts sent out. As you know, I always do a Christmas card exchange and that means I send cards to a lot of people. On top of that, I usually try to craft all my cards by hand, which I totally had to forgo this year (for multiple reasons and I apologize for that). I will be happy if I get our cards out the door in time at all.

Bake some Christmas cookies. It’s part of the holiday season for me and everyone deserves some damn Christmas cookies.

Spend a day in San Francisco when all the holiday decorations are up. I actually have checked this off my list last weekend when I got to spend more time with my friend S. last week.

Decorate our tiny tree. I’ve long debated if I am going to get our tree out this year, but because it’s fake and tiny, I don’t see why I would rob myself of the joy of having a tree. I don’t know, it’s just an important part of the holiday season for me. I love seeing all the decorated and lit trees in other people’s windows as well. I am looking forward to it all year. It makes the dark winter month seem so much cozier and brighter.

Make some donations for a good cause. I always try to do this every year. It’s a small gesture with a huge impact on the less fortunate.

Watch Christmas movies. I love Christmas movies, especially family-centered stories where – after lots of drama – everyone eventually comes together around the dinner table, or romantic Christmas love stories with tear-jerking happy endings. I know it’s a bit cheesy, but honestly, who doesn’t like “Love actually”, “The Holiday”, or “The Family Stone”? Don’t you tell me that you’re immune to the overload of feelings during the holiday season. I don’t believe that. Yesterday, we watched “It’s a wonderful life” – one of my favorites!

Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy the season! I want for things to slow down (I know this is partly a mindset, so I am working on that!), take a sip of Glühwein (mulled wine), walk around the neighborhood and admire the Christmas lights, and just marvel at the magic of the season!

What’s on your ‘to-do’ (and ‘to-enjoy’!) list the next two weeks?

  1. I think I mentioned last year (but can’t recall if it was on your blog or someone else’s) that one of my favorite Christmas movies is actually Scrooged with Bill Murray. I watched it this year while I was decorating our tree. Still pretty funny!

    I’ve pretty much done all I’m going to do. Just have to buy a few items for Matt’s parents so he can take them down with him when he goes to visit them at the end of next week for a couple of days. But that’s about it!

    1. Yes! I remember – you recommended Scrooged (I asked for recommendations last year!). Glad you’re enjoying the season.

  2. Watching THE RISE OF THE GUARDIANS and BAKING COOKIES with the LO.
    Happy Holidays San

    1. That sounds lovely :)

  3. I feel ya, I love this time of year but it’s so stressful sometimes! I’ve accomplished a lot but I feel like I still have a lot to do!

    I’m hoping to get my holiday baking in this weekend and some Christmas movie watching as well. :)

    1. Glad you’re on track with your holiday shenanigans! Have fun this weekend :)

  4. everyone totally deserves some damn Christmas cookies! called my MIL today to try to set up our annual baking day with my SILs

    1. Love that! I wish I could do that with my sister!

  5. I FEEL YOU!

    I’m sort of denial that Christmas is two weeks away and I’m not even close to being done with my shopping. I also have some photo books and photo gifts I’m working on that have to be done soon. Sweet mercy.

  6. I absolutely love this time of year and, while, just like you, I am behind a lot of things, I did manage to get our tree up early these year. As in the week before Thanksgiving! Ha! I am currently finishing up one last nagging final before I can finally enjoy all things Christmas to the fullest.

  7. I can’t believe Christmas is almost here either! I have a stack of Christmas cards yet to write in … Topher designed them this year so I didn’t have to do too much work :D Yeah, I totally cheated! My favourite Christmas movies are all cartoons. It doesn’t feel like Christmas until I’ve seen “Christopher the Christmas Tree” and the Dora Christmas special!

  8. Christmas is coming crazy fast but this year I was so organized and did almost all of my shopping online on black Friday. I keep my shopping pretty easy, though, as us siblings go together to get my parents a gift and then all the kids get books. So I just had to figure out gifts for Phil and his mom. I’ve been wrapping gifts as they arrive, too, so feel very ahead of schedule which is shocking as December has been a very hectic month for me!

    That said, I don’t feel like I have been able to soak up the Christmas season and really enjoy this fun time of year so my goal for the next couple of weeks is to find ways to slow down and enjoy life more!

  9. It’s a great list! And I hope you get everything managed in time. This whole season creeped up on me too mainly because I don’t have so much time off. Totally throws me off.
    I put up my advent wish list in the beginning of December and try to cross of as many things as possible.
    Have a great day, Tobia

  10. My great plans of decorating for the holidays at the weekend got a bit lost. I currently have a naked fake tree in my living room! I have an empty schedule the week of Christmas so at least I know that week can be decorating, baking and Christmas movies! I also have some online gift shopping I need to take care of – where did all the time go?

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