Christmas musings

Christmas is quickly approaching and I do not feel like I am as prepared as I want to be. I always set such high goals for myself and desire to enter the season with a well-laid plan. I sat down in mid-November and wrote down a list of events, people to give gifts to, and cookies to bake. My goal is to have a simple, relaxed December, without all the hustle and bustle that make the month dreadful.

We are planning to attend the Nutcracker ballet and drive around to look at Christmas lights. My sister, daughter and I have plans to make several different kinds of cookies, including peanut butter fudge. I am including a couple of recipes that I don't normally do, but they were my mom's favorites. It will be like having her here with us.

I was able to purchase the bulk of dd's presents this summer while she was at her grandparents house. The only things I still need are stocking stuffers, but I don't want to fill her stocking with meaningless nothings. She has requested knee-high socks in funky designs, so that is one idea.

Ds is another story all together. He does not have any clear interests besides playing the guitar and video games. With his attention span being so short, I hate to spend money on something that will be tossed to the side within a short amount of time.

Husband and I are not doing gifts this year as we just spent a good deal of money on our 15th anniversary. We spent the weekend at the Inn at Middleton Place and just enjoyed being alone for 2 whole days. I think I might get him something small, but I want it to be something he will truly enjoy.

My sister will be here for Christmas week and I am so excited. This will be a hard Christmas for us as it will be our first without our mom. Mom passed away in January which means we are also coming up on the one-year mark. I think of her frequently and am brought to tears when I think of all the things in my life and her grandchildren's lives she is not going to be here for.