Ho Ho…No. That’s right I said no, so let’s just say I’m Ebenezer Scrooge. I usually look forward to Christmas, it’s an exciting time of the year, especially with kids. But I’m not so keen on Christmas this year, I’m not feeling it, can we just fast forward to the new year already? Every time an ad related to Christmas comes on TV I want to throw things at the screen. When I saw Christmas lights switched on in November, I may have said things I can’t repeat here. And don’t even get me started on Christmas carols, my retail days still haunt me!
I know it’s not that far away but I swear the lead up to the festive season begins earlier every year. Maybe it’s just because I’m getting older, the novelty wears off just a bit more every year. And of course, at the age of four, Miss Izzie now knows how to look through a toy catalogue and tell you exactly what she wants. Mostly Frozen themed items it seems. It’s a pity she doesn’t quite understand they actually cost money! But she has an answer for most things (much like her mother, so I’m told) so I’m sure she would work something out.
There’s something about the crazy power behind Christmas. I bravely (or stupidly) hit the shops the other day along with what seemed like thousands of other people who had the same idea. With three weeks to go everyone is madly trying to find that special (or just any gift) to hand over. What probably made me even more stupid was I took the girls with me. Big mistake. Huge. Along with the many other harassed and unhappy shoppers looking for the “ideal” gift, I was also busy repeating things like; “no”, “move before you get run over by a trolley”, “stop asking for things”, “no, you can’t have that”, “stop crying because I said no”, “yes mummy is cranky” and even “do I need to have a chat with Santa?”.
Speaking of the big guy. We dropped by to see Santa at the shops a couple of weeks ago. Yep, I’m one of those mums who likes to get it out of the way before the big rush begins. So, I guess I really should be grateful Christmas preparation begins in November for that reason alone but you know beggars can’t be choosers. Anyway, both girls were pretty excited about the prospect of seeing the big fat…sorry jolly…man in the red suit, until we got to the front of the line. From a distance he’s not so scary but up close it’s a different story.
After waiting for Santa to “feed the reindeer” (we turned up at swap time) we were ready to go and then the tears started. Miss Izzie was fine (thankfully for the second year running) and even sat on Santa’s knee telling him what she had been doing and what she wanted for Christmas (something Frozen themed I believe) but Miss Phoebe wasn’t having a bar of old Santa. So lucky I dressed up for the occasion and joined in the photo fun, for the fifth year in a row. I must admit I love this year’s photo (shock horror) and none of us are even looking at the camera which makes it even more natural, with Phoebe giving Santa a half-hearted but very wary high five, haha! I’m crossing my fingers next year is the year they get the magical photo without me! I can only hope right?!
But I must admit the excitement my girls exude when it comes to Christmas is a little catchy, at times. Maybe by Christmas day I might be feeling a little more on the Ho Ho Ho side. Well, I’m going to try anyway. Until then, if you still have shopping to do I wish you all the luck in the world, I’m pretty much done and glad to be! Until it all begins again…..