Thursday, December 09, 2010

Question Of The Week



One day my life will come full circle, the stars will align, and I will finally own an antler mug and punch bowl set. I look each year and somehow avoid the temptation. You really wouldn't believe how pricey those little gems are.

I'm not even sure what I'd use it for because I don't care for eggnog. Blake buys it each year out of some seasonal retail obligation that fixates in his mind and it spoils in the fridge eventually. I just roll my eyes and keep moving.

If you're new here, please note that we have a major minor obsession with all things Griswold. Try and keep up. It will make sense eventually.

So, the topic of today. Stress relief. Tolerating the holiday season and all that comes with it. Yes, of course we can drink to take the edge off, but that's not advisable round the clock and can result in a mess if you're not careful.

Instead, I'm looking for some tactics to prevent me from heading down to the beach, jumping in the cold Pacific water, and swimming until the sharks eat me. I'm a big mess of anxiety today and that option sounds oddly appealing.

*sending cards
*shipping gifts
*baking cookies
*decorating

It's all too much!

Help me. Help others.

***What do you do to avoid the inevitable holiday funk? Suggestions?

If all you know how to do is drink (no judgment here), feel free to include a cocktail recipe.

Cheers!

23 comments:

Mama Sue said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mama Sue said...

I think you should reflect on all you have accomplished this year! I am so proud of you following your hearts and dreams! Having a drink and watching Christmas Vacation is a sure fire cure

Dee Stephens said...

White wine, Christmas tunes and It's a Wonderful Life!

Dee Stephens said...

Oh..and how can you not like egg nog? My fav but it's so darn fattening!

jennykate77 said...

So, you're looking for something besides drinking and throwing yourself off a cliff. Hmmmm. Well, I like to read a good book and escape into an alternate reality. That helps. We're a Griswold family too, so watching Christmas Vacation once a week is good for holiday stress. It's proven that laughing reduces stress. It's scientific.

The Soladay Family said...

What works for me, other than the obvious, is reminding myself that when I am stressed over the stupidity of other's choices and actions, I am wasting my time. I cannot change anyone other than myself. People that are miserable and unhappy find satisfaction in trying to make others feel that way too. Don't fall prey. Let them continue to make their bed and lay miserably in it. Focus on the positive and steer clear of the negative.

What you need is a girl's night out. Too bad you live so far away.
Maybe a date night with your hubby. Both always work for me!!

The Lenzers said...

I must admit, I have never ever had the holiday stresses, ever! Not even when I birthed 2 of my 3 babies in the holiday season. I don't know why. Maybe that means I don't do enough. I shop on Friday nights. I ship when I send whatever it is with Mark to do it. I work on my cards-right now. I bake with the boys. And I gagg at egg nog

Momma to the A's said...

Please let me know when you find something good!! I would like to know as well!! I really thought this time of year would be stress free once I decided to stay home! I really am not sure what I was thinking ... although I am sure it is not as stressful as if I was working.

You are amazing!! Take your happy pills and keep on truck'n!! Oh... and have a night out with the hubs that always seems to a good escape if only for a few hours!

Impulsive Addict said...

You already know what I'm going to say but I'll say it anyways.

No drink recipe from me.

Only Patron. That's all you need.

If you're sick, you drink it to kill the bad bacteria.

If you're stressed, you drink it to take the edge off.

If you have insomnia, you drink it so you'll soon pass out.

If you're sad, you drink it because it's your friend in times of need.

If you're happy, you drink it to celebrate and to toast others since you're not sick, stressed, sad or suffering from insomnia.

You're welcome.

Malinda said...

I am so not the person to give advise on this one. I gave myself a stress migraine today.

Merry Mack said...

Skip it and focus on the child. I cannot not tell you how freeing making that decision has been. I cry with laughter at the Griswolds every year. It reminds me of my dad.

I hope it gets better. Let it go!

Brittny said...

turn up the christmas music louder to drown everything else out, then go find some christmas cookies to eat, then look at all the christmas cards i got in the mail (wink, wink) until i feel better.

and if that doesn't work, i watch Elf.

Nate, Abbey, Noah, Blaire and Tatum said...

Honestly...you are going to think this is lame...but working out is the BIGGEST stress buster. The stress of getting there and doing something productive can be too much but once it's over the endorphins just make me happy. You might already do it but if you don't...try walking or doing yoga and a kick butt boot camp class. You might get hooked!

Shannon said...

I don't understand why people love this time of year so much if it's going to stress them out so much. Just...do less. Nobody makes your To Do List except you. Edit mercilessly.

Jodee said...

I get ready for Christmas all year long. I address our Christmas cards during the summer and have them ready to go months before. There is no way I would have time to address them in December. I also pick up Christmas gifts throughout the year. I have it down to a science!

donatelli98 said...

I agree with whoever said we bring upon ourselves - so true! Especially Type A people like myself. Generally though I love this time of year and just get things done when i can. Alcohol (i.e Cosmos, Beer and Wine) helps - that and having the last two weeks off of the year this year! Woo Hoo!

Sara said...

I don't like eggnog either. It's always kind of grossed me out.

Finding time to shop is usually my major stress, but I've done everything online this year. And I mean EVERYTHING. It's been so nice and it's taken away a lot of stress that I usually have around this time of the year.
My usual stress reliever is WINE. And lots of it. That's not gonna work out so well this holiday season since I can't drink :(

Hang in there and ENJOY yourself!

starnes family said...

Impulsive Addict: Nice.

Abbey: I agree. I've been walking whenever possible since moving to California and I love it. It helps! Harder to do with my husband traveling, though.

Kristen said...

Hann and I made peanut butter fudge.... soooo delicious. Cheered me right up. And well of course you know I just pop in the Holiday or Love Actually, because well... that cures all.

Here's the fudge recipe... so easy. Kids could totally do this.
2 Sticks Butter
1 cup PB

Put it in a bowl and microwave for 2 mins. Stir it good and then microwave for another 2 min. Slowly add 1 tsp of vanilla and 1 pound of powdered sugar (about 4 cups, little less).
Line an 8x8 pan with waxed paper and dump the suff in there. Flatten it out with your hands and put one more piece of waxed paper on top. Then refridgerate it until cool. Remove the paper and cut into small chunks. Yum times a million.

Kristen said...

And one more thing.. to get out of the holiday funk. I just call everything I'm doing a holiday (fill in the blank). For example, I have a holiday glass of wine. Or I go for a Holiday walk. Or I take Holiday shots by myself on the couch with the cats. Proper nomenclature really adds some instant cheer.

Jillian Bennett said...

I'm in the funk... Today we blew off our brunch playdate and we are all still in our pj's watching holiday cartoons. (It is almost 1pm here!) I kind of don't think a date with my husband would help... but more alcohol might.

Allyson and Dave said...

I have yet to experience a holiday funk. I have a feeling I will have my fair share of it when I have kids.

I love shopping...love it!! It is my way of destressing. So having to go shopping makes me really happy. Actually buying things makes me even happier.

The one thing that does stress me out this time of year is parking at the mall...especially the outlet mall. I don't even try to park up close. I automatically go to the furthest spot. I don't mind the walk as long as I don't have to interact with stupid drivers.

Kelly Beatty said...

Get it done early. Remeber Jesus and drink! You can drink proudly because you are Catholic!