I am someone who does not like to leave things to the last minute. I like to be organized and on top of things. So, I finish my Christmas shopping in the first half of November, I make and freeze dough for sugar cookies and gingerbread in November, I send all my Christmas cards out on November 30, and on Sunday last, we put up our Christmas tree. I also suggested making a gingerbread house this past weekend, but Rob nixed it. “Shouldn’t you leave something for December?” he asked.

I like not being rushed. The same can be said about Jake. I had to instigate a school-day rule that entails him getting dressed at 8:00, so that if it takes him 30 minutes to complete the task, we still have time to get our shoes and coats on in a relaxed manner. It also cuts down on the amount of deep breathing and gentle encouragement I need to do as I watch him slowly, slowly put his clothes on, then oops, his shirt is backwards, and uh oh, he is having trouble with his socks, and oh dear, his foot is stuck in his pajama bottoms. When we start early I simply leave the room, so as to remain mentally balanced, and come back 30 minutes later to a totally dressed Jake! A miracle! And one that does not require me grinding my teeth and saying, okay, come on, okay honey, JUST PUT YOUR DAMN SOCKS ON.

Where was I going with this?

Oh yes, the Christmas tree. It’s a bit of a Charlie Brown tree, actually. It was a cheap tree that is now a decade old, and every year my husband puts it together and swears a little, but once it’s decorated I just love it. Also – notice how squished it is against the furniture – we cannot possibly have a larger tree. As it is it is reminiscent of Jenga, rearranging our house for this five foot tree.

The downside to being super organized and not waiting until the last minute to do Christmas-related things is by the time Boxing Day comes around I am DONE with the Christmas spirit. It’s all I can do not to pack up every ornament at noon on Christmas Day. My Buddy the Elf persona quickly morphs into a Grinch-like attitude. It’s like, I just want my house back, you five foot tree that has taken over the living room!

So, while I’m still in the spirit, check out a couple cute decorations!

What a sweet little nativity scene, and the little house was the first decoration I bought the year we got married. To symbolize HOME. Awwwww.

I bought this Spiderman decoration this year for the boys. My brother informed me that this is the second most famous comic book cover of all time. I just don’t know what to do with that information, but okay. The boys like it.

A snowglobe! With my name on it! I got one for everyone in the family (except, as Jake disapprovingly said, for Barkley.).

Today it’s snowing and cold and I feel very Christmassy – even if it’s not even December!