Thank you to everyone who expressed reassurance and understanding on my little red hen Christmas complaints.
Honestly, I don’t DO that much.
We have one tree,
a very small village on the hearth (7 items), plus a plastic Nativity set the dgrands play with, and the 60+ year old Nativity scene dmil gave us.
There are snowmen and Santas scattered around the dining room, kitchen, and hall, and 2 paintings dh did as a child. I also have a ceramic tree in the kitchen, the kind with Lite-Brite lights. My dfriend who died last year gave it to dmom when we were neighbors and I “stole” it. It was the only tree dh and I had our first Christmas.
I hang 6 stockings on the mantle.
I put wreaths on the 2 exterior doors, and candles in the windows.
Maybe it is a lot.
Dgs put out almost everything himself, except the tree, candles, and stockings.
He and Dgd helped put all the ornaments on the tree, and helped a little with the lights.
So, it IS a lot, but it’s not like I have a tree in every room.
I think doing it ALL in one day was just too much. And dgrands were less organized than I would have been alone — but their excitement and making memories with them is worth that. I just have to pace myself better next time.
I still have to do cards and finish wrapping gifts — and BUYING gifts! But I have been wrapping as I go, and when I FINALLY let Dgd put some presents under the tree, she was sooo excited. She said, “I have waited SOOO long for this!!”
I send about 60 cards, and we only buy presents for five people besides the six in our immediate family.
And I agree, social media and advertising, etc, make us think everyone else is doing everything perfectly. And I do have an unrealistic dream of being perfect. Sigh.
Anyway, I’m glad this much is done.