The bulk of your Christmas 2015 is over. You've had time to reflect. It is imperative that you remember this Christmas--for all its joys yes--but more importantly, there are things to keep in mind for next year...
You struck a nice balance of Christmas adventures. You were surprised to discover that there is a street full of over the top Christmas lights just two blocks away. Next year please remember to just suck it up, spend the money, and go to the PNB Nutcracker. Even if you think that maybe this year it will be okay to bring Linus, don't. It won't be okay. He won't like it. He won't appreciate it. Use the money you would have spent on him and take Eileen out to a nice dinner or go get mani-pedis.
A big take away from this year. Have an actual conversation with your husband about Christmas spending a gifts for children. Consider just one big gift for each kid and one smaller gift. This year the favorite gifts all cost $15 or less--the wood ball catch toy from the Target dollar bin, plastic steppers/stilts, a balance board, road tape, and a voice disguiser. This might be hard to swallow, but maybe even skip the legos. Someone will get them LEGOs. You can't stop it, you can only control Santa. Do you really want to spend all break assembly multiple LEGO sets for your daughter?
Remember, you love your husband. Even when under the auspices of getting the children out of your hair while you do food prep on Christmas Eve, takes them to Fred Meyer and lets them buy each other presents with no spending limit. He lets his 5 year old buy a Wii U and Mario builder for her big brother and a singing dinosaur for her baby brother. You love Dave. You really do. A year later you will have forgiven him.
You gave Dave amazing presents, first a wearable sleeping bag. You saved money in a shoe box for two years to surprise him with a box a cash on Christmas morning. I hope you guys took a really great trip with the money. (I did the thing where each week you increase the amount you save, $1 week 1, $2 week 2, etc)
Your children looked beautiful at Christmas Eve mass. You looked pretty good yourself.
Uncle Tim spent Christmas Eve with you and woke up Christmas morning. It was a special treat.
Nice job on the food. The cranberry roast pork is a definite keeper. The carrot pudding was not. Make more chocolate peppermint gooey bars. Skip the carrot pudding. May I suggest the roasted balsamic brussel sprouts from Thanksgiving? Try having a special holiday cocktail instead of the mulled wine. Cards Against Humanity after the kids are in bed is still a winner and your mom can even handle playing with you.
You can't tame the beast that is Grandpa Claus. No matter how much you beg and plead, he will buy tons of presents for the kids. He will then be more excited than the kids about opening presents. The new plan is you just leave him in a room with the kids to open their presents in a free for all and then later while the kids are playing in a separate room, have a nice calm grownup present time.
The holiday brunch and white elephant was fun. Keep the menu the same. Buy more orange juice for mimosas and only make a triple batch of gingerbread pancakes.
Finally, do get lots of sleep. Stop trying to make Christmas perfect. Just let go a little bit. Sit back and enjoy. Drink more candy cane cocoa. You really like it. Remember what Fr. Brad said while rapping Notorious B.I.G. during the Christmas homily, "Mo money, mo problems."
You did a good job. Deep down everyone appreciates it. You can do less and still have it be great. Love yourself and Merry Christmas!
Love,
Charlotte
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