Rethinking My Holiday “To Do” List

I was already feeling behind on my Christmas to do list, and now it’s just physically impossible for me to get it all done.  Over the last couple of days, I’ve been thinking hard about what is important and non-negotiable for me, and what is extra and fun (or not fun, as the case may be).  I really haven’t done much at all yet.  In fact, I still have my fall decorations up!!  Here’s my to do list and what I’m doing about it:

• 25 Days of Christmas Books (underway!)
• Select a Christmas tree (The Picky Apple may be doing this without me tomorrow)
• Decorate inside of the house and Christmas tree (Put up fall decorations first!!  Hoping to start this tomorrow.)
• Decorate outside of house and put up lights (this is The Picky Apple’s job, and usually requires help from his dad or a friend)
• Buy family Christmas presents (I’ve got The Littlest Apple’s done.  Still need to shop for everyone else.  Thank goodness one side of the family decided to draw names for the adults this year, and thank goodness for online shopping since I can’t drive for the next 2 weeks!  I need to take care of this quickly!)
• Wrap presents (The Picky Apple is a much better wrapper than me, so he may get to do all of the gifts but his)
• 15 Cookie Boxes for friends and family (Not happening for 2009.  I know our friends love the cookie boxes, but I also know that they love me for me and not for my cookies and will understand….hopefully.  I already purchased the boxes, so I’ll be all set for next year!)
• Take photos for Christmas cards and order Christmas cards. (As much as I love Christmas cards, this was another easy thing for me to cut this year)
• Take The Littlest Apple to see Santa (maybe next weekend)
• Christmas crafts with The Littlest Apple (coming soon, assuming TLA isn’t still on a craft strike!)
• Drive to look at Christmas lights with The Littlest Apple (we’ll probably do this next weekend)
• The Littlest Apple’s class Christmas party next Thursday.  (I’m in charge of the snacks, which include fruit and homemade cookies which the kids will be decorating.  Still going to get this done somehow.  As room mom, I’m planning to be there.)
• Christmas Day Cooking and Baking (Cinnamon Rolls, Roasted Turkey, other baked goods.  Still planning to bake the cinnamon rolls at the very least!)
• I was planning on taking The Littlest Apple with my parents on a trip to visit extended family on the 26th.  This is up in the air at the moment.
• Host New Year’s Brunch for family and friends. I had to cancel last year because of a sinus infection, and I don’t think I’m going to do it this year either.  Sigh.  Maybe next year.

So, I’m feeling a little better now that I’ve cut down my list.  I know it doesn’t look like I cut much, but it seems a little more do-able now.  Time to get busy!