Quick takes before the holidays

I thought I’d check in before the holidays because this last week of 2025 will go by quickly (I just know it). This Christmas will be a little odd. We’re not traveling to see my family, we won’t be able to spend the holidays with Jon’s mom (because, as you know, she’s not with us anymore), and I’ll even work a couple of days next week (which I haven’t done in years). Things will be pretty normal around here, but I am still planning to unplug for a bit. So, here are just a few quick takes before the holidays.

FIVE DAYS OFF

Six work hours stood between me and five days off for Christmas today. I must admit, Christmas Day has “good timing” this year, falling on a Thursday. I usually like to take the time between Christmas and New Year’s off, because I feel the “time between the years” should be a time to slow down, reflect, and look ahead. I am always finding myself in a bit of a weird state of mind during this time. Not bad, by any means, just weird because the old year is not quite done (but the holidays are behind us) and the new year is not quite here. But because we’re not traveling, and I am trying to save my PTO for when I really need it, I will be working a couple of days this year. Still, I’ll get two five-day weekends and that’s something!

(NOT THAT KIND OF) CHARITY

Per executive order (EO), the (not-my) president gave us two extra holidays this year (December 24, and December 26). I mean, who am I to complain? I would have taken Christmas Eve off anyways and Friday would have been my RDO (regular day off), so I would have had 5 days off either way, but of course I am happy to not be taking any annual leave for that.

I just wish he hadn’t called the federal workforce lazy and inefficient all year and complained that we were getting “too many federal holidays” off, as is, and then give us two extra holidays. But here’s why he did that: he was purposefully softening the blow, because he followed up that EO with another EO giving federal employees a meager 1% raise in 2026, which basically translates to a pay cut if you look at the inflation. My healthcare premium increase alone eats up 200% of that raise, but now I am also supposed to be thankful for the charity. Merry Christmas to me. (Yeah, I know it’s hard to please me these days, and you’re right if you want to point out that I could leave instead of rant. Just sharing the facts. I also am well aware that others still have it MUCH WORSE.)

BEST LAID PLANS

Like so many others, I received my pre-ordered copy of Shu’s book, Best Laid Plans, in the mail last week, and I am excited to dive in over the holidays. I still haven’t decided on my planner for 2026, but I am hoping that reading Sarah’s book will kickstart my planning for the new year.

HOLIDAY CARDS

I’ve received quite a few holiday cards in the mail, and I want to thank everyone who sent out cards this year. I know there always is a lot of debate about sustainability and the expense of sending cards in the mail, but for me, they really are a highlight during the holiday season.

MENU CARDS

For years, I’ve created menu cards for our Christmas Eve dinners (and the menu cards for my family’s Christmas Eve dinners as well, even when I wasn’t able to attend in person because it made me feel like I was contributing to the festivities). Is it necessary to have a menu card when it’s just two people? No. Is it worth it? Yes. A festive table setup, complete with a menu card, is an essential part of Christmas for me. I just sent off the final version of my family’s Christmas menu card to my mom so she can print it off for tomorrow’s gathering at my sister’s house.

BAKING

I had not had time to bake Christmas cookies until today. December was busy; I was away for fieldwork for a whole week and had other things to attend to on the few remaining weekends. The annual Baking Championship (which I won last year) at my office did not happen, which would have been a great incentive to get baking, but I finally did bake a half batch of Vanillekipferl this afternoon! I feel complete now.