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.
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.
ralph
I have greatly enjoyed your blog since discovering it a few months ago.
I wish you good health,a Merry Christmas and a Preposterous New Year.
Rondina
Hmmm. Don't website design and book proposals fall under the category of work and require the use of the banned computer?
Have a merry one, Karen and fellow followers.
sj
A sleigh ride! Please share photos. Pleeeease!
Merry Christmas up North! Wow, you are so much closer to Santa.
Tres
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Grammy
I'm the grandmother here, so I get to say, "If you want to fight, take it outside. In the back yard, not the front -- my neighbors think we're a nice, normal family." Of course, it's too cold to go outside just to have a political pissing match, so there is nothing but Peace and Love and Good Wishes within my home on Christmas Day.
I wish for you much Peace and Love and Good Wishes for the upcoming year. Enjoy the fire and a good book and eat all you want of whatever you like. I look forward to getting a little glimpse of whatever suits you when you come back rested and ready to roll.
Dawn
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Karen! Thanks for all the great posts this year!
Pam B
Hiya Karen!!! I don't comment much, but love you and the blog, and the chickens and the Stuff and all of it, lol. Thanks so much for being here and being you. Blessed Yule to you and yours this season. Be safe and have a wonderous break. Blessed be, hugs!!! Pam
maggie van sickle
Dear Karen
All the very best to you and yours for a very Merry and Blessed Christmas. May your New Year be filled with hope and health. Enjoy your family to the fullest.
Cheers
Maggie
Debbie
As several religions celebrate very different holidays this time of year, if I know which holiday someone celebrates , I will use that holiday name. If I don't know or am unsure, I would rather say Happy Holidays or Have a Wonderful Holiday Season, than say nothing. Good wishes are good wishes and I feel they should always be appreciated. If someone uses the wrong holiday in speaking to me, I say thank you and that I hope your holiday is wonderful, too! And to all, A Very Happy New Year.
Debbie
I read a fascinating piece on Xmas that may be surprising to some. Here is just one link :
http://www.cresourcei.org/symbols/xmasorigin.html
Pam B
Thanks Debbie for putting that link on here. I had read it before and forgot where it was. I am not a Christian and it has never bothered me to use the Xmas abbreviation. And I did know the history of it. If it were better known I don't think people would mind it as much. Thanks again and Merry Xmas to you and yours. Blessed Yule and blessed be, hugs!!! Pam
Debbie
Pam, thank you so much for your note. I am also not Christian, though feel there is a kindred thread of spirituality that ties together all who believe there is a entity greater than themselves (I call that entity G-d). May we all be blessed. xxxoooDebbie
Langela
Just, literally, saw a commercial for a hotel website's gift card that said something to the effect, "a gift that says 'You're special to me' while simultaneously saying, 'Go away.'" I just keep thinking that someday my kids will think that way about me. Looking forward to that day! :)
Could you add to your ban the idea that Christmas is no longer used--everything is "holiday" this or that. It's holiday trees, holiday songs, holiday gifts and parties. I want the word Christmas brought back!
Merry Christmas, Karen!
Karen
I'm fine with Christmas. All of the Jewish people I know are fine with Christmas. I will use the word "holidays" sometimes but I'm basically referring to the general holiday season that encompasses Chanukah, Christmas and New Years. Merry Christmas Langela.~ karen!
Jebberjay
Merry Christmas Karen! enjoy your time off. And ... If you were ever to post about your knitting projects, that would be ok.
jainegayer
A book, did you say a book??????? Yipee!!!!
And can we take a "relax pledge" next year along with the Christmas pledge?
Karen, thank you for all the mornings you've made me laugh so hard coffee sprayed my keyboard.
I'll miss you next week but am happy knowing that you'll be relaxing. Sounds like a wonderful week!!
See you next year!
Carole
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Have a wonderful well-deserved break!
Adrienne in Atlanta
I'll sign that petition! I'd also add whatevs (most hated), hubs, vacay, cray, and the incorrect use of the word "literally", to just name a few instances that make my skin crawl when I hear them.
Merry Christmas, Karen. I am literally delighted every time I see your post pop up in my mailbox, even after all these years. You're doing a great job, and you are appreciated. ;)
Lynne
Thanks for an entertaining year. Enjoy your time on the couch.
JeannieB
Wishing you a lovely Christmas Karen. May all your dreams come true.
West Coast Nan
Merry Christmas Karen, thanks for bringing us all together to share your blog.
Miriam
Happy Holidays, Karen,
I'll be having a good convo with my BFF about our next vacay where we will be sure to chillax.
There, I've annoyed all your other readers to put them in the spirit for family fight day.
Karen
LOL!! And me as well. Uch. Convo. UCH! ~ karen :)
mayr
Mer' Chris'.
BAHAHA.