I enjoy the holidays. I’m not in love with them like some folks, but I usually get into the spirit of the season. That being said, I have never wanted to put up my tree before Thanksgiving and when it is over, I want the tree gone within a week. Tops. Nevertheless, I enjoy this time of year—usually. However, let it be noted, 2023 is the year Christmas kicked my ass.
It was just not my year. I started dreading it well before Halloween. The thought of putting up the tree made me want to throw myself into traffic. Then all the shopping, baking, blah, blah, blah. I could have gotten more excited about a mammogram.
I soldiered on. I did the things. Well, some of the things. The tree went up. I half-assed decorated the mantle and called that shit good.
Next, were the gifts. I’m normally a huge advocate for shopping locally and finding unique gifts. Not this year. I pulled up the Devil’s website and knocked out all the shopping I could. I then said with a deep sigh of relief, “fuck it.”
I told my husband he needed to kick in if he didn’t want a real shit show with his family. I just did not have the time, energy or motivation to do it all.
In the past, we did all the Christmas shopping, wrapping and decorating together. Over the course of 30 years, he has gradually done less and less, leaving me to make the Christmas magic happen basically alone. Not in 2023. I could not have felt less magical if I tried. He stepped up. Thank God.
I didn’t even send out Christmas cards. This hurts my heart. I love to both send and receive Christmas cards. I received lots of lovely ones that made me smile. They are hanging on my banister. I promise. I’ll be back to my cards next year. Please don’t take me off your list. They are my favorite.
After the tree was up for about three days, I noticed every time I walked by it, I scowled. It was at that point I realized my main goal for the season was to not go into a menopausal rage and throw the tree and all its sentimental decorations off the deck and set fire to it in the backyard. #goals.
I had grand plans to knit some of my gifts. That went poorly as well. I also did not bake cookies. Josie and I have always baked cookies. I did not have it in me this year. Brett and Josie made them for his office. I went to bed.
My house is a disaster. Seems cleaning has become optional. I’ve always said, if you are ever at my house and the toilet isn’t clean, be concerned for my mental health. I just cleaned the guest toilet and it is safe to say that I should have been committed two weeks ago.
By Christmas Eve I made myself half-ass clean the house and I had most of the gifts wrapped. I also had food ready to be prepared the next day. #winning.
I suppose it is just my poor mental health and the fucking menopause that has me off my game this year. Shit happens. I’ve been depressed. We are all entitled to an off year—or five.
The holidays are a lot of pressure. Be kind to yourself. Do what you can do. Enjoy the company. It is the company you will remember, not the dog hair in the pie or the sweater you got in the wrong size that will ride around in the trunk of your car to be exchanged for six months before you finally just give it to Goodwill.
The holidays just need to be simpler. The whole fucking year is full of complications. Just give me a quiet, uncomplicated holiday with the people I love. And wine. Lots of wine.
Angela Traver
What is this blog about? Well, it's a general blog, but it is also a very specific blog. If you get that reference, you get a gold star! I have been a public relations professional and writer of press releases for more than 20 years—primarily in the booze biz. I decided to do some writing for fun and embrace the humor that gets me through most days. Hopefully it will make you chuckle—or at least smile. I’m a certified crazy magnet, and more than a little nutty myself, so buckle up. Also, I have two vices—profanity and red wine/whiskey. You’ve been warned. It should also be noted, that I’m a HUGE Bob & Sheri fan. I’ve been a listener for more than 20 years. This opportunity is a dream come true and it may have made me cry. That being said, I cry at everything. If you are into booze, dogs, food and/or knitting, hit me up on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (although I’m terrible at Twitter and it scares me) @kyspiritsgal. You can also find all my previous blog posts at www.kyspiritsgal.com.
