Don't even pretend like you don't know Christmas is right around the corner

So I put my Christmas decorations up yesterday. Okay I’ll admit. That was a complete lie. I am not one of those people. But I know some of those people. They are the people who are generally happy 24/7. Try as I might, I do not have that quality to add to my resume. Instead, I waste my time trying to be clever and planning out my holiday to-do list. But sadly the holidays are not really about being clever now are they?

Make no mistake though. The holiday season that is almost upon us is perhaps my most favorite time of the year. It practically forces the happiness to ooze out of my pores. I mean who can be gloomy when twinkling lights are every which way you look. I like a holiday that wields such power. I will, however, wait until December 1st to put all my well thought out plans into action. That’s the prudent side of me having her say.

Anyway, to prove that I’m not a scrooge I will list three things I'm having visions of right now that practically make me Mrs. Clause.

1. Firstly, I insist on a real Christmas tree every year. I shower that thing with love. Water it religiously. And curse it minimally whilst I pick up its dry needles. I also protect it from the grubby destructive hands of humans less than three feet tall. I think this year I will try out those picks that are all the rage.

2. Secondly, I listen to Christmas music, enthusiastically. The Carpenters. Bing Crosby. The Chipmunks. All classics in my home. This year I may even throw in a little holiday NKOTB

3. Thirdly, and most importantly, I send out Christmas cards every year. Even before we had children, the Husband and I made this a tradition, even when we only had a crappy picture to include. It’s our way of saying, “We may not ever speak to you any other time of the year, but just know that we feel you are worth the cost of this card and the postage to mail it to you. Love you!” And then imagine the delight I get when I receive Christmas cards in return. It’s like they are saying the very same thing to me! I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel pretty dang special.

This year I'm going to try something new with our cards. I’ve been looking at the options Shutterfly has. I’ve heard good things. We’ve done photo cards for the past few years because they are easy, but to be honest good designs were hard to come by. But Shutterfly has so many options my head may just explode trying to pick one.

Right now I’m liking this one, but I want to keep friends and family guessing so I will not commit to anything here and now! I am nothing if not indecisive.

Maybe this one:

Oh, wait no. This one.

Crap!

And now to try and capture a semi-decent picture of my family in its entirety. My stomach and brain hurt just thinking about it. I guess I could always use the fake family in the card if need be. I wonder if anyone will notice.

Note: I will receive 50 cards from Shutterfly for perusing and telling you about their holiday card collection. But I only agreed to do so because I love all the options they have. Too good not to share.