First Christmas

Hosting a holiday is always stressful. Even if you are someone like my mom who thrives on it.

This was the first Christmas hosted at my house because it was my little girls first Christmas. 

Now it should be known that I love the holiday season: the good will, the music, lights, and  the movies. I mean what's not to like? But the day I could live without, the fighting (which we avoided this year- a true Christmas miracle), the food prep, the need to buy buy buy, the mixing of family traditions (a delicate balance) and the mess! When it's all over I miss the season but, am relieved the day is done. I don't mean to say I don't love our families or appreciate all they do for us. I just feel stressed. 

The best  part this year though was the alone time my husband and I had with our little one and canine babies. 

The night before I felt sad. I wasn't going to wake up at my parents house and go get my siblings to open presents. A tradition we had continued into adulthood. I went to my husbands families church and I missed seeing my relatives and the older woman who always wears her Christmas hat. All of that melted away though when we opened our first presents from Santa. And while it was very stressful I'm glad we had everyone to our house to share in her first Christmas.

Christmas Decorating

This year when I went to take out my decorations, I noticed an additional bucket of decorations. What could be in there? well apparently when I was in a nesting phase of my pregnancy last year I bought/made more decorations. VERY unlike me. But, with a little one now, I guess she will enjoy all the extra sparkle...

I am hosting Christmas at my house this year and I am finding the thought of it stressful (especially since I am not a cook by any means. I mean, I like permanently damaged my finger from a hand blender on thanksgiving- guess I took the name too literally but I digress). I am trying to remind myself that it doesn't have to be a banquet... MOM and it doesn't have to be a formal dining experience with white gloves... MOTHER IN LAW. It just has to be good food and us all together to celebrate a holiday about family and of course my little girls first Christmas.

We will see how it goes.
Also note, that usually when I have a bunch of people coming I set to clean every corner and speck of dirt. That is not happening this holiday there is no time. The paint chips taped to the wall will not be replaced with new paint until after the holiday and my base boards may have some dog hair. It happens I guess that's motherhood talking....