I put my little toe in the "shopping waters" yesterday when we visited the mega homemaker centre closest to us. Yikes! What financial crisis? There were people everywhere - takeaway coffee clutched in one hand, boxes, bags and shopping trolleys in the other, frown lines of grim determination slashed across their foreheads. It's interesting to note that not one person had a smile on their face. Mostly, because, like me they're probably thinking, I can't believe it's this time of year again, and I'm back here again, buying basically the same stuff again.
Realistically, you can't dodge the need to buy "stuff" for Christmas altogether, as much as you may want to shun the commercialism of the season. As lovely as the people who work with us in our business are, I'm sure that if I decided to give them homemade shortbread for Christmas this year instead of a more luxurious present, they might feel quite cheated.
Talking to lots of other mums at school, playgroup and work, it's sad to hear how many mothers feel completely overwhelmed this time of year. There's all the different end of year school Christmas plays, awards nights, class parties etc. Then there's trying to make everyone in the extended family happy about how and where Christmas will be celebrated. Diplomacy is the currency of the season. Berocca, not champagne, should be the drink du jour.
Here's my strategy for the next few weeks:
* make a list (of course!) of what each child realistically needs.
* answer all phone calls with a smile on my face
* drink decaf
* take my vitamins each morning
* pray, pray, pray
* organise ONE (mega) day to do all shopping, so I don't impulse buy and overspend.
* whatever the extended family demands at the last minute for Christmas arrangements, I'll put a smile on my face and say, "When you've decided, just let us know, we're happy, if you're happy".
* make shortbread and package in cute chinese boxes with trim for family friends from school.
* spread out the plastic tablecloth on the kitchen table and let the kids do lots of messy art, and not get cranky.
* cuddle my husband and kids ALOT
* listen to christmas carols
* read "Jesse Tree" style readings from the bible to the kids
* pray, pray, pray
Wish me luck!
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