So I missed a couple weeks because the holidays pretty much take over everything. Like most families between decorating, planning, executing those plans, visiting, making special time at work for guests who need holiday beautification, cooking, shopping... I think you get the idea. You kind of get lost in the whirlwind of that which should be joyful, heart bursting, wonderful family holiday celebrations. For the most part I could do without the holiday scene and be just fine. That being said I did have some wonderful moments with my husband and children and various parts of our families. I guess the destination of this bumpy thought train is I feel like the parts of the holidays I used to love have become the parts everyone else have systematically ruined.
For instance the food. I love holiday food. It only comes once a year and I love to indulge in it. Nowadays everyone is on some diet or so hell bent on being fit and organic that my emails, pinterest, and facebook are flooded with images and advice for how to just say no to holiday delights. Don't get me wrong I do feel we are what we eat and we should be concerned about the things we consume, but if all year you are healthly and and good to your body don't give yourself a complex over some cookies and turkey. I mean let's be real, stressing out over a few extra calories, carbs, fats, whatever you're counting or avoiding can be just as bad for you as binging on a few rumballs and frosted snowman cookies. Stress makes you fatter and more miserable than you mother's green bean caserole ever will. Yes, I am aware of the sluggish food coma that happens after a good holiday feast is not really great, but swatting yourself on the nose with a newspaper for sneaking a couple extra bites of sweetened yams on to your plate is not the answer. I'm not advocating obeseity or binge eating, I'll be the first to tell you if you want to be attractive on the outside start by improving your insides with with diet, exercise, and lots of water, I'm just saying all I want for Christmas is some delightful gnoshing without a six pack ab photo silently shaming me for my momentary poor eating choices. Alsoanother person unknowingly insulting me by bragging about how much self control they have and how much weight they've lost. I love you and I am proud of you for your accomplishment of meeting your weight goal, which is why I smile and listen to your story, but I'm pregnant with my fourth child. This translates to I never lost the weight from number 3, also cannot indulge in so many things everyone else can, and a weight loss diet right now just isn't gonna fly, so let's just agree that you can have your kale chips and super healthy new whatever that is all day long while I have some mashed potatoes with turkey on top. That's enough of the food rant for now.
The other thing I love about the holidays is shopping for gifts. I'm sure I don't have to go on a tangent about this one, but I will, because a lot of people feel like I do, about how the holiday shopping experience has become somewhat of a nightmare. Prior to making a career in the beauty industry I worked in retail for about 15 years. Being on the other side of the counter for Black Friday has given me a certain appreciation for that sales associate or delivery person wading through a sea of consumers trying not to get trampled for some meaningless object that will be tossed aside before New Years. I have children of my own so I know what it's like to want to fill a room to the top with ornate packages concealing their hearts every desire, but do not belittle an innocent person because the company they work for didn't ship enough for you to get one 2 weeks after the sale was posted or your order didn't show up last minute (just like you ordered it) when you wanted. The Holidays are supposed to be filled with joy, happiness, magic, and a feeling of wonder not just by children, but by all. Stop making it the most stressful, angry, hateful, festival of "I didn't care enough to remember my manners and class" and slow down to appreciate how hard people worked to put up all those lights around your city, that teenager actually trying to be responsible with a thankless job whose display they've rebuilt 10 times in the past hour your sugared child just demolished, and be nice to your family even if you don't think they deserve it.
Sorry for this long anger filled rant in regards to the season of giving and love, but now that it is over I feel like sharing this because what I have learned from this past holiday experience is I am guilty of some holiday magic murder and not proud. I am not guilty of the things mentioned above, but I did drop the ball with a few things I had intensions for, but did not complete due to poor preparation. I feel like this coming year I should shop earlier to avoid angry consumers and do some advanced preparation so that at least myself, husband, and children can have some magic and relaxation while the rest of the world spins out of control. Thanks for reading and I hope you have had the chance to enjoy your favorite holiday traditions this year!
For instance the food. I love holiday food. It only comes once a year and I love to indulge in it. Nowadays everyone is on some diet or so hell bent on being fit and organic that my emails, pinterest, and facebook are flooded with images and advice for how to just say no to holiday delights. Don't get me wrong I do feel we are what we eat and we should be concerned about the things we consume, but if all year you are healthly and and good to your body don't give yourself a complex over some cookies and turkey. I mean let's be real, stressing out over a few extra calories, carbs, fats, whatever you're counting or avoiding can be just as bad for you as binging on a few rumballs and frosted snowman cookies. Stress makes you fatter and more miserable than you mother's green bean caserole ever will. Yes, I am aware of the sluggish food coma that happens after a good holiday feast is not really great, but swatting yourself on the nose with a newspaper for sneaking a couple extra bites of sweetened yams on to your plate is not the answer. I'm not advocating obeseity or binge eating, I'll be the first to tell you if you want to be attractive on the outside start by improving your insides with with diet, exercise, and lots of water, I'm just saying all I want for Christmas is some delightful gnoshing without a six pack ab photo silently shaming me for my momentary poor eating choices. Alsoanother person unknowingly insulting me by bragging about how much self control they have and how much weight they've lost. I love you and I am proud of you for your accomplishment of meeting your weight goal, which is why I smile and listen to your story, but I'm pregnant with my fourth child. This translates to I never lost the weight from number 3, also cannot indulge in so many things everyone else can, and a weight loss diet right now just isn't gonna fly, so let's just agree that you can have your kale chips and super healthy new whatever that is all day long while I have some mashed potatoes with turkey on top. That's enough of the food rant for now.
The other thing I love about the holidays is shopping for gifts. I'm sure I don't have to go on a tangent about this one, but I will, because a lot of people feel like I do, about how the holiday shopping experience has become somewhat of a nightmare. Prior to making a career in the beauty industry I worked in retail for about 15 years. Being on the other side of the counter for Black Friday has given me a certain appreciation for that sales associate or delivery person wading through a sea of consumers trying not to get trampled for some meaningless object that will be tossed aside before New Years. I have children of my own so I know what it's like to want to fill a room to the top with ornate packages concealing their hearts every desire, but do not belittle an innocent person because the company they work for didn't ship enough for you to get one 2 weeks after the sale was posted or your order didn't show up last minute (just like you ordered it) when you wanted. The Holidays are supposed to be filled with joy, happiness, magic, and a feeling of wonder not just by children, but by all. Stop making it the most stressful, angry, hateful, festival of "I didn't care enough to remember my manners and class" and slow down to appreciate how hard people worked to put up all those lights around your city, that teenager actually trying to be responsible with a thankless job whose display they've rebuilt 10 times in the past hour your sugared child just demolished, and be nice to your family even if you don't think they deserve it.
Sorry for this long anger filled rant in regards to the season of giving and love, but now that it is over I feel like sharing this because what I have learned from this past holiday experience is I am guilty of some holiday magic murder and not proud. I am not guilty of the things mentioned above, but I did drop the ball with a few things I had intensions for, but did not complete due to poor preparation. I feel like this coming year I should shop earlier to avoid angry consumers and do some advanced preparation so that at least myself, husband, and children can have some magic and relaxation while the rest of the world spins out of control. Thanks for reading and I hope you have had the chance to enjoy your favorite holiday traditions this year!