You are more than your Elf.
Or any elf.
Maybe you’re like me and you don’t even have a darn Elf on the Shelf, or even want one more must-have-adorable-thing on your holiday never-ending to do list.
I DO laugh at the Elf posts and pictures; I’m not all THAT Scrooge-y. Some of you people are witty and uber-creative when it comes to your elves, and I can appreciate that. Your kids will have memories of naughty or silly elves all over your houses and chandeliers. And mine will not. Another thing to talk about in therapy.
If you look at social media, you will feel left behind in the dust.
So just don’t.
Don’t look at everyone’s trees, lights, cider, and elves.
Don’t compare.
Don’t compare yourself to anyone else’s race to decorate and send out their Christmas cards first. (You know I love getting them the day after Thanksgiving, though.)
I have done zero-zilch in the decorating, baking, prepping, and light-hanging department.
I have not called my photographer to schedule a photo shoot.
I have no clothes picked out for above non-scheduled shoot.
I may even SKIP my Christmas card tradition this year. GASP! EEK!
It’s only December 3rd, yes, that’s true. There is time. But maybe I just want to give myself a break this year. For reals. (I have said this in the past to only pay EXTRA for fast-shipping from Shutterfly and stayed up all night addressing 200 cards. That was fun.)
My house is all dis-combobbled (did I make up that word) with boxes, my “fake kitchen” is in process and my real kitchen is about to be demolished. Any. Minute. Now. All good reasons for NOT Elf-ing or shopping. So why do I care about keeping up?
I do and I don’t.
The “holiday shoulds” creep up on me and I feel a little panic.
Then I shake it off T-Swift-like and accept my messy house-life and say oh well.
Then the perfectionist in me causes my head to explode with worries about how I will accomplish all I “SHOULD” this season.
STOP. THE. CRAZINESS. You. Me.
For all of us mamas, just trying to remember school parties and performances, cookie exchanges, Secret Santa stuff, teacher gifts, babysitter gifts, and everyone-who-does-anything-in-my-life-or-with-my-child gifts, we just need to STOP.
We are not defined by all this.
Our season is not defined by all this but we somehow lose sight of the Real Reason we celebrate. We have so many gifts to unwrap in our faith, family, and friendships. Too numerous to count.
It’s not about the Elf, Santa, the chocolate Advent calendars, or Pinterest-perfect trees.
It’s about the richness we have in relationships with all our loved ones and chosen ones.
Being together.
Being generous to others.
About giving to those in REAL NEED. Those outside your comfort zone.
It’s not about giving ourselfs more inflatable Santas for the front yard. (My youngest is begging me for a giant inflatable from Home Depot. But I digress.) It’s not about giving ourselves pats on the back for being the Greatest Holiday Decorator Ever, and all our holiday accomplishments.
Yes, we can enjoy the festivities, and traditions and goodies. Of course. Please do.
Let us all remember (I’m speaking to myself here, too), that this season is about giving and loving. We “were formed by Love…for love.” At Christmas, we remember the Greatest Gift was given to us.
Now what can we give?
Are you doing anything different this year? I’d love to hear from you.
Happy Holidays dear ones. xo
Oh, friend! I love that I just read this after I saw what Chris bought for the front yard 😉 This year is all so different, as far as where we will be, etc, but I agree with you. The more I release the social expectations and stop trying to cram traditions down my kids throats, the better it has been. Thanks for always sharing! Can’t wait to sit in your new kitchen one day. Hey, in one house I had to wash all my veggies in the bathtub for a month…I let it all go for a while 😉
I agree Jessica, Christmas is about love and helping those in need. The elf on the shelf is cute but it saddens me that it takes away from Christ and the gift of His birth. More and more takes away from the reason for the season each year, people get stressed, and then they forget about love and family and friendship. May you have a very blessed Christmas full of love!
Merry Christmas Jess!! This would be by far the best blog I have read of yours!!! Love it. Yes, relax, embrace your family, yourself and just enjoy the special day. x
Oh my dear friend how I needed to read this today …as I still have the cards in the sealed bag for two weeks, barely a Christmas gift bought and even worse no real list, but instead today I took Lauren and her BFF to Disneyland. This girl is from Korea and has never been or seen disneyland . The joy of the day was way better than knocking some things off my list. I spent the day watching two girls have so much fun and enjoying an experience together that can never be replaced or bought. My tired bones are very grateful for the true GIFT I was given today. XOXO Liz
Love this! well written and SO true!
amen! thanks for the encouragement jess!
You go, Jess! But I say get that inflatable Santa for the front yard … that joy in Kate’s face??! Tell her the elves did it …
I have been informed by my husband that I cannot, under any circumstances, send holiday cards this year. I think he thinks he is giving me an early Hanukkah gift, but never the less, it kind of makes me relieved. Between kid one’s 14th birthday, Hanukkah at home and Christmas with my parents, it gets to be be too much. Besides, after reading your post, I’ve decided what we save in sending holiday cards, I’m donating to charity. Thanks Jess!
I have always felt that this time of year should be reflected all year long and that’s what people lose sight of.
Thanks for this breath of fresh air post. I’m hearing this sentiment from more than one person this year. Maybe it’s in the air. Maybe we’re all getting the message to step back and count our blessings — and sometimes those blessings take the form of amazing decorations and baking – and sometimes those blessings take the form of one little stocking hung with care. Love you, Jessica…and can’t wait to see your discombobbled kitchen.