It's Christmas Eve. The day before the most anticipated day of the year for many of us. December 25th, known more commonly as Family Fight Day. The day family gathers together to exchange gifts, good wishes and karate kicks.
Everything always starts warm and fuzzy then out of the blue Uncle Bob is wielding a cheese knife, the kids are crying and Auntie Barbara is hiding behind the curtains with a bottle of Sambuca blubbering about how nobody loves her.
Getting through Christmas Day can be hard on people. Whether it's the family fights, the travelling from home to home or spending it with the inlaws, or the being alone, Christmas Day can be exhausting.
So. I'm here to not so gently remind you that you need to relax. Even if you just pick one day. Here is my official not so gentle reminder. "HEY. STUPID! RELAX!". It's directed towards myself too so don't feel you're the only stupid one.
Christmas is my favourite time of the year but it's also the most tiring and also the most stressful. Even WITH the Christmas Pledge. So I always make a point of taking time off after Christmas and using that time to relax. Something I'm not all that good at.
Every year I like to tell you what I plan to do with my time off so here you go.
Read.
Finally hang curtain panels in my office.
Light the fireplace in the morning and not leave the couch other than to eat.
Spend at LEAST one day where I don't turn on the television or computer. Probably a few days actually.
Cook, cook, cook.
Depending on the weather, a sleigh ride is in the plans.
Would you like to save this stuff?
We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
Start a petition to stop people from using the word "convo" instead of conversation.
Go for a run. Or two. Or lay on the couch.
Do some work on my book proposal.
Work on developing the redesign of The Art of Doing Stuff.
Expand petition to ban the shortening of all words.
Knit.
Nap.
Nibble.
I look forward to this week off all year and even though I will be doing some work I'll also have plenty of time to sprawl out and not wash my hair. Which let's face it. Is really what the holidays are all about.
But before all that happens I have to get ready for my annual Christmas Eve party. Stack some wood inside the house, get the hot buttered rum ready and lock up the cheese knives.
Have a great Christmas Day and thank you all sincerely for reading and sharing The Art of Doing Stuff.
I will see you in the New Year.
Louise
My family followed the traditional Christmas ritual you mentioned; the family fight! I believe some people won't be speaking to each other for a year! Ah well, nice to know that other families share in this time-honored tradition - thanks for sharing your wisdom! :)
Kelli
My holiday "wish & relax" list (I took the last 2 weeks off from work yay!):
Catch up on sleep and lots of naps!
Walk every day (in the daylight no less)
Finish shopping & wrapping
Xmas with the cousins
Hang out with friends, maybe even tie one on!
Do some projects
Read, read, read!
Hit a couple of movies
Get haircut, mani and pedi
Clean (never ending job)
Work on computer
What ACTUALLY happened: I got SICK. 3 days before Christmas. It's now New Years Eve and what HAVE i accomplished from my list? No. 1 - SLEEP. Like...A LOT. :( Nothing else has been done, I've been so knocked sideways.
But Merry Christmas Karen (belatedly). Hope YOU stayed healthy, and I hope your 2015 is filled with more success, wackiness and family infighting than ever! :)
Karen
I did about as well as you. (I didn't get sick was just my regular, hyperactive self) But there are still a few days left and I'm hopeful I can take full relaxation advantage of them. Happy New Year! ~ karen
Roxy
I would like to add the "word" sanny to the list. It's a sandwich people!
Happy New Year...party on Wayne!
Gail
Merry Christmas- I was so a couch potato on Dec 26th, I just read your post from Christmas Eve!!! So I did the knitting and catching up on Netflix! Yahoo!! It was great!!! Now- back to work :(
Gwen H.
Have fun
Laura Bee
Then there's "yous"? As in 'Hope *yous* all have a nice Christmas' . There are two people I know who USE this term. The one day one of them commented on something and I found out it is spelled 'use'. sigh....
Merry Christmas. Hope there was no blood shed. (p.s. the diorama and the leather book cover were a hit - thank you!)
Brenda
Let me know when you have the petition up and running - I will so sign that! Hope you had a lovely Christmas and enjoy the break.
Melissa in North Carolina
Merry Christmas Karen! Would love to see photos of the horses and fancy sleigh as you sleigh ride, sounds like lots of fun.
Thank you for all the great tips and treats you shared with us this year. I made the hot buttered rum recipe and LOVE IT!
Get your rest. We'll be here when you return. May love and peace fill your heart in 2015.
peg
happy new year!
Erin
Not leaving the couch except to eat...sounds glorious. Merry Christmas!
marilyn meagher
merry Christmas karen...all the very best to you!
Karen
Thanks Marilyn! Hope you had a great Christmas too. ~ karen!
Carey
Merry holidays to you, too! The book deal? That is so exciting! Somehow I can't imagine you without your computer, even for a week. Good luck with your own challenge! RELAX! Lol
Nancy
From a fellow Canuck, on the west coast, have a wonderful Christmas. Definitely no snow here. And to your petition, since when did 'invite' the verb become 'invite' the noun in place of invitation. Drives me bonkers to hear someone say "I just received an invite in the mail to the party". It's and invitation! people.
Nancy Blue Moon
Will miss ya girl..Hugs..Merry Xmas...just kidding..Merry Christmas to Karen, Aunt Jean, Betty, Pink Tool Belt, Fish Pedicure, Ernie and Cleo...Thanks for sharing your lives and adventures with us!
kipper
add to your petition the words literally, staycation and copasetic (my Mother uses that word all of the time and it drives me crazy). Totally agree regarding eliminating shortened words like convo, camo etc. Don't get me started on too oft repeated phrases like "have a nice one" -a nice what? Another phrase is "how is your day going?". Clerks just say this automatically and don't listen to the reply. I'd better go have another cookie.....
Merry Christmas and happy time off!