Too busy & tired for Christmas

[Paffle]

I've had a mad week at work and next two weeks look like being the same (12+ hour days) plus 45 min commute each way.

This weekend have done Christmas cake, made mince pies, done Christmas tree etc. Still got wreath, nativity and other odds and side to do.

Just printing off the Christmas card list has made me depressed - we send around 100 cards and I write them all most years. DH has organised copies of a photo of the DCs to enclose. And writing this has made me realise I've done nothing about the kids' cards to friends etc.

Got about half of DCs' presents and stocking presents. Thank God our Nanny is going to wrap them.

Still got all other presents to think of, buy, wrap and in some cases post.

Finish work on 22nd. Will be knackered but have to go and stay with PILs for the big day.

I do love how excited the DC are, I really do. And I know how lucky we are so i know I'm being selfish and moany but I just feel overwhelmed. Christmas just feels like one long fucking to-do list at the moment.

Sorry. Thanks for virtually listening. Be nice.

Or otherwise use it to your advantage doing online orders or phone calls.

Build in enough sleep as that's a killer when overwhelmed.

If you make lists on the commute, could the nanny have the clean clothes organised for packing, or even packed? Or things like having solid nutritious dinner organised? Tell her you'd love her dearly and pay extra to get over the hump this year and be better organised next year. And buy her a great present on the commute to say thanks.

In January, buy sale Xmas cards, write them and box them up for December.

There are also a few things you should think about, after Christmas is over, to get ahead for next year. Not entirely "buy everything on Boxing Day" ready - but write down what did and what didn't work for you, think about how you could block out things to get done earlier and put away, or farm out things before it is too late to do that (and find people who will do things for you - paid or otherwise) - things like do the present wrapping, locate a good baker locally so you get almost homemade, make lists of what needs doing, set up orders for online deliveries (presents and/or food), make sure the freezer is stocked with a few proper dinners to take some pressures off, get cleaners in for the month/6 weeks, write 20 batches of 5 cards over lunchtimes in October, decorate the house ....whatever you need to get through the season).

And also to build in family time, and some personal downtime, into the agenda. So you know you will not get to every performance/event, but you WILL go to the school nativity, say - or get to the school fair. And while you may be teetotal, you can find something that will help you relax - a nice seasonal beverage (hot mulled apple juice?) or a lovely relaxing bath with good oils/bath bomb etc, or blocking out an evening to go to a music event or to meet friends for a more relaxed gathering at home or out.

Take time earlier in the year to think about what is important to you and your family over the Christmas season, and also to take into account the realities of you and your DH's workloads at that point of the year. What can you do ahead of time to give you back time in those frantic weeks? What is not so important and you could drop it? What is really important and needs to be blocked off in the diary?

But that is for after this current Christmas season is over.

And don't put too much pressure on yourself either. While it is the festive season, it is also one day. The magazines will sell a lifestyle and a dream. MN will also do that to a certain extent! But the reality is that everyone does it differently and you shouldn't feel under pressure to make it magical or perfect, just what suits you and your own family.

Finish work on 22nd. Will be knackered but have to go and stay with PILs for the big day.

A thought for the future. Do you HAVE to go to stay with family?

My Christmas improved hugely once I said that we were staying put. My heart weeps when I see my exhausted friends packing the car for Christmas away on top of all the usual franticness.

In the past I have paid my DN and DD1 to wrap the bulk of the younger kids stuff. Win -win. They got much appreciated pocket money and I got a couple of hours to do other jobs. Kids won't care about wrapping quality