As soon as Halloween is finish the shops switch to Christmas decoration.
This happens almost overnight.
Honestly.... how they do it?
I imagine little elves working overnight to transform the shops, which feels magical.
This triggers a switch in me to start decorating, yet it makes me feel anxious and that my efforts are never enough.
The period between Halloween and Christmas is chaotic, with everyone in a panic to complete tasks, finish dental work, and manage heightened anxiety.
Amidst our usual routines like earning money for the mortgage and caring for family, we juggle numerous tasks to keep traditions alive, including Christmas kids' concerts, work parties, Secret Santa, wrapping presents, and writing cards.
When I was younger I tried to follow the trend. Decorate the house with Christmas decorations, buying all the fancy Christmas clothes ... Christmas hair accessories....Christmas earrings...
Doing it all! Combining Slovakian (my heritage) and British (my husband's) Christmas traditions.
It was exhausting and disappointing as I'll never be good at cooking Turkey or baking cakes.
So we ( I ) set to create our own traditions...
Streamlined! Trimmed! My motto is LITTLE is MORE!
We still have the Christmas tree, some decorations, and Slovakian and British traditions, but I refuse to be bullied by others' projections of how Christmas should be.
It is our Christmas!
Steering clear of stores during the Christmas season helps me manage my anxiety.
I handle everything online, purchasing only what we, need for Christmas.
I make an effort not to overspend since it's just two days.
So go out there and create your own Christmas!
Whatever it means for you!