There's a reason I've been putting off this post. In spite of my planning, organization and study of The Container Store's "How to Wrap Presents Like a Professional" tutorials, I feel like I failed with Christmas this year. Looking back, I'm sure a part of it stemmed from the fact Liesel was more in tune than ever with the idea of the holiday. The closer we got to Dec 25, the more determined I was to make it magical for her. My good intentions culminated in a very sleepless night Christmas Eve. My mind was plagued with doubts. Were the stockings sufficiently stuffed? What if she didn't like her presents? Had I done enough? It was ridiculous really. She's not old enough to remember this Christmas anyway so I'm not sure why I wasted all the mental energy.
I later read an article that advised picking what is most important TO YOU for Christmas and focus on that rather than try to do everything. After some contemplation, I realized for me it's not the presents (I know, I know... DUH!). At the top of my list is our Christmas card. I book the photo session at the end of October. I write draft after draft of the newsletter. I haul the pile of cards to the post office the day after Thanksgiving so they're the first one our friends and family receive. Throughout the year I keep two copies of our address list as up-to-date as possible. Our Christmas cards are what fill me with holiday cheer. That feeling only multiplies when we receive cards in exchange.
Next is the train. Growing up we always had an LGB train scooting around the tree. As my siblings married, they each got a train of their own. The first Christmas of our married life I eagerly anticipated getting mine. I love our train and am so happy we have one. Because we were at my parents house for Christmas, they obliged us with putting out their train. Initially they were concerned the girls would get into it but both of them showed surprising restraint. Grandpa even had the time of his life letting Ireland be the conductor.
Finally, my favorite part of Christmas is seeing the girls in Christmas pajamas. Gymboree made pajamas this year that coordinated very well with year's past. Because of that, the girls looked adorable in coordinating stripey sleepwear. It warmed the cockles of my heart to see them running around in these!
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