Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Signs that the Holidays Are Here!

11.23.2010

I love the holidays; it's a joy to spend time with family, to decorate, and to spread love and cheer.  Even more, I enjoy trying to make the holidays magical for my little boy.  Still, as much as I love this time of year, I also cringe a little.  Right around now is when I start creating my to-do list, and each day, it feels like the items on my list grow exponentially.  From now until January 2, 2011, I am on a race--a race to buy presents, decorate, spend time with family and friends, and create memorable, ever-lasting Christmas traditions.  It'll be fun (for the most part), but there may be a nervous breakdown along the way...

If sometimes you feel overwhelmed by this holiday crunch time, then this top ten list is for you...  Ten Signs that the Holidays are Here...

10.  You've already given up on any diet that you started during the year.  How can you begin to count calories after you've just downed two pieces of your aunt's famous chocolate cream pie (in addition to snacking on the sugar cookies, the cheese and crackers, and that delicious pumpkin tart)?

9.  Each day, you're afraid your mailbox might possibly tip over from all the holiday catalogs and coupons that come in the mail.  Even worse, you're afraid the collection that has now overtaken your living room might present a real fire hazard.

8.  Your DVR/VCR is already set to record all your holiday favorites--How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Charlie Brown's Christmas, etc. etc.

7.  You literally have no place left to write on your calendar.  Every single square is covered in notations about sales, visits with friends and family, and other holiday parties and events.

6.  You've already mapped out your Black Friday route.  Not only do you have a list of stores to visit on your agenda, but you've also created a list of areas within each store to visit.  You'll be camping out at 3 a.m. so that you have access to the best selection.  You're on a mission!

5.  You've already started to drop subtle hints to friends and family about what you can use-- a new car, a new Apple iPad.   (Oh, and you've started asking the not so subtle questions yourself..."So...you're favorite restaurant is..."  "And you are a size....larrrrggg, no medium.  That's right.")

4.  You've already figured out what bills you can scrimp on this month.  "Hmmm....let's see.  If I don't pay the electric company this month, they will still have to wait for another full month before they threaten to shut my lights off..."

3.  You've already made your family crazy about buying and coordinating matching outfits for the dreaded wonderful yearly Christmas photograph--you know...the photo that you share will all your friends and family members that you never get to see in person anymore.  That's right.  If they didn't receive a holiday photo of you every year, they probably would have no idea what you or anyone in your family even look like anymore.

2.  You've already started testing all the outside and inside lights.  Hey, you don't want to go through the actual trouble of setting up the decorations only to learn that your beloved lighted Rudolph is now missing a few limbs.

1.  The kids' TV commercials have pushed you over the limit.  If you see one more advertisement for that (fill in the blank) toy, you're going to hurl the next object that winds up in your hands directly at the TV.  Of course, these commercials have delightfully persuaded your kids that the meaning of Christmas is...TOYS.

Bonus: You've now started assessing the past year...you know...what you've accomplished...what you didn't accomplish.  The guilt of what didn't get accomplished will always make the top of your New Year's resolution list for next year...guaranteed.

13 comments:

  1. Great list! I'm Jewish and Chanukah is starting NEXT WEEK! AGGHHHHH!

    I'm so not ready!

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  2. Love, love, love this post. It was so nice to open it and NOT find a review. I'm here from FMBT and it seems most who link up are reviews. BORING. Ha!

    You are right on with your 10 signs.

    I saw on the main street in my neighborhood tonight FIVE houses with their Christmas lights on. CrAzY!! It's just not right until AFTER Thanksgiving.

    Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

    I'm a new follower. I hope you'll be by to visit my blog as well. =)

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  3. I am your new follower from FMBT. I will appreciate if you follow me back.

    LP
    http://www.travelexplores.com/

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  4. Aaah, I forgot to set my DVR! Thanks for the reminder! I love this Top 10, so true! I love looking through all the catalogs, though Jeremy gets irritated because they take over our end table, all dog-eared and circled (so subtly!).

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  5. Here from the bloghop.
    I follow you on GFC. I'd love for you to follow me back
    Tiffany
    Tiffypoot @ (aol.com)

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  6. LOL, This was a great list! I am definitely having the catalog overload right now! I feel like I am getting so many everyday I don't think I will be able to keep up with looking through them all.

    Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you and the family have a wonderful day!

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  7. What a great list! Those catalogs are definitely a bit much. Also our holiday photo card is already in the mail and I feel really good about doing that early, now I just need to start shopping.... Happy Tgiving!

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  8. This is such a great list! And accurate :) We're already recording and watching Christmas movies...lights have been up for a week and the tree is going up on Friday! I'm done with my shopping though...I finish super early because I can't handle the crowds!

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  9. This so great! I love the holidays! Sorry i have not been able to comment as much lately Annette. I am going through so much right now and I am trying to take care of everyone. Thank you for your kind comment and your support. I really appreciate it! I love the holiday movies that are starting, especially on Hallmark. Have a great Thanksgiving my friend!

    Mama Hen

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  10. Yup to number 4! But I still plan on eating ok in the weeks in between Thanksgiving and xmas. I gained too much last year and I don't want that to happen again!

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  11. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving my friend! Have a good day!

    Mama Hen

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  12. Oh yes, the holiday rush is certainly here! Yes about exercise and diet and the influx of catalogs but NO to Black Friday...someone would have to pay me to go through all that!

    Hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving with your family:)

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  13. I always love your top ten lists. #1 is one of the many reasons I love DVR, we just fast forward through those annoying commercials! I still have not gotten brave enough to hit the black Friday sales, I know they have great deals but it's so intimidating! Hope you got some great deals!

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