Christmas Expectations

I love Christmas movies on Hallmark.  There is so much good cheer.  The town is decorated beautifully.  There are all kinds of celebrations and festivities that go on.  People gather and celebrate and enjoy each other.  Cookies are baked and laughter shared.  But when you come down to it, there is so much pressure with these Christmas expectations and in my opinion especially for women.

This morning a co-worker said she was up to 1am getting presents wrapped and gathered for her kids teachers, her co-workers and her husband's co-workers.  Another mom was recently stressed out that she had not made enough varieties of Christmas cookies or enough cookies all together to be able to share with those she wanted to.  I have heard from people up early to get to the stores before work because after work they have basketball games or school concerts for the kids.  In all the rush where is the Christmas spirit?  

I have done all my shopping online this year.  I am so sorry to our UPS driver for this.  I know they are working long hours in bad weather and freezing temperatures but I don't have time to get to the store.  It wasn't always like this.  I didn't work as much.  Joe and I would go shopping together.  We would have fun.  I would take a night and wrap everything.  The kids and I baked tons of cookies.  My Christmas cards where done and addressed by Thanksgiving to be mailed as soon as the calendar changed to December.  

I have had to come to terms that our Christmas' are not the same as they have been.  Right now there is not one homemade baked cookie in our house.  I have thought maybe on the break I'll make some.  Then its like, nah I'm too tired.  

I wish we could have a Hallmark Christmas.  But at the same time I wish someone else would provide it for us.  I am too tired and stressed to make it happen.