Time to Stop Planning Christmas!

When I was in high school, I was always cramming for some exams. The morning of the exam I would wake up and be reading my notes at breakfast, on the bus, as I was walking to school, and right up until I walked into the classroom.

By the time I sat down for the exam, I was freaking out because I had so much information swirling around my head.

Then in uni, I finally realised that if I didn’t know it by the time I went to sleep the night before the exam, then I wasn’t going to know it. So the morning of the exam, I usually caught up with a friend for coffee and I could walk into the exam with a clear head – feeling confident in my preparations.

And the time has now come for us all to stop cramming for Christmas. You’ve probably got most if not all presents by now. Time to stop racing around looking for that “just one more” for Aunt Melda. The meal has been planned, and ingredients have been bought. Don’t worry about finding that one particular brand of salad dressing you REALLY wanted – it’s OK to settle for the one you already have in your fridge.

It’s officially time to stop planning Christmas, and start living Christmas!

This is what we have been waiting for. These wonderful few days where there is a little magic in the air. Where the kids anticipation and excitement is palpable. Where Christmas Carols swirl through your head, and you find yourself singing them even when hanging out the washing.

Look at your Christmas Tree – isn’t it beautiful??? Who cares if it’s not “perfect”? It’s perfect for right now, for Christmas 2011. This is it! Put down the magazines, the cook books, stop shopping (yes even online!), stop stalking the postie for presents that haven’t made it in time – because every moment we continue planning, is a moment we take away from being.

I will be taking a little break over Christmas so I can immerse myself into our family, in this Christmas 2011.

Be positive, enjoy the small things, and embrace the moments.

Wishing you and your family a truly Merry Christmas, filled with love and laughter.

Nat xx