Don’t Bother Looking For My Christmas Card This Year

It’s happened – AGAIN…here it is December and I haven’t even begun to think of making my Christmas Card.

Well, I take that back. I have THOUGHT of them…

In the sense that I think THIS will be the year. THIS will be my moment. When I finally get my act together and find the most perfect pictures of my family this year. Put them together in a beautiful collage. Use a great site like Minted. Create a list in Excel that will become my Go To for years to come. Print labels, add stamps and lovingly mail…before Christmas.

This will be the year that all my wonderful friends who have been faithfully sending me cards for years will finally get one in return, justifying all those years of me getting one unrequited.

It happens the same way every year.

In October, I start thinking about how great my card is going to be. How I will find the most perfect picture of Hannah and Hazel, smiling at each other while giving a hug.

And how happy I am going to be to finally be one of those moms. Those organized moms who get family pictures taken and find the perfect card to express their feelings.

In November, I realize that it’s getting busy…but I can definitely manage this Christmas card thing. I envision my friends opening my card with that smile and look of satisfaction that only comes from finally getting a card after 12 years of sending one without receiving one in return.

But by December…well by December, I feel like I’ve lost my mind and wonder what the heck was wrong with that woman who thought in October she could pull this off.

What was I thinking pretending I could send Christmas cards?

I mean, who ARE these SuperMoms? And how can I be one?

By December, we’ve usually battled at least 2 sinus infections, 1 stomach virus and a partridge in a pear tree. Just in the past month.

By December, I start having small panic attacks that the gifts actually WON’T get bought this year. Because if I don’t buy them, no one else in my house will.

By December, I realize that the last family photo we had taken professionally was 2 years ago and let’s be honest, 2 years shows at my age.

By December, I come to the realization that this year will probably be no different than last year…or the one before that.

By December, I feel I should at least send a mass email apologizing to all of my friends and family for not being a team player…AGAIN.

But perhaps the worst thing...

I want to also tell them to please, PUHLEASE, send me their beautiful Christmas cards. Because I absolutely adore them.

I love to see friends and their families whom I may not have seen in a year or more. I love to see the kids I know so well all dressed up without chocolate on their face. I love to hang these cards up throughout the holidays and share them with my girls.

And I love the inspiration they bring me. The hope that one day I will finally join them in this secret club of Christmas carders. The belief that next year is going to be my year.

For real this time.

And as I hang each one up lovingly by my door, I think…

I’m pretty sure you can order New Year’s cards….This is definitely going to be my year.