The Cheats Guide to Christmas...

It's beginning to look a lot like..chaos!

This year I totally stink at being "that mum". Actually, I stink every year. Every year I think, "Next year I will do better. I will make dozens and dozens of Christmas cookies. I will decorate the entire house. I do a craft with the monsters er, angels every day. I will adopt a kid from the tree in the mall. We will sing the songs and burn that yule log (whatever that is) and have a proper Christmas!" And every year, fail and so far this year I haven't done all that well either. For one I've been crazy busy opening a business (another post for another day but that is one of the reasons why the blog has been all crickets) and second, Christmas has kind of snuck up on me this year. Which it should not have because well, my house has been set up for Christmas since the week before Thanksgiving (thanks MIL!). I realized tonight that, gasp, I haven't made the girls' Christmas dresses this year! I know, I know! Worst mother of the year. To make matters worse, I (brace yourselves) went to JCP tonight and BOUGHT one. Yes one, LP doesn't even get one this year. I am a horrible, excuse of a mother. ;)

So this year, I've decided to cheat at the whole decking the halls and all that holly, jolly stuff. Here is my checklist of ten things we are going to get done and then I am calling it good. I promise (yeah right!) that next year I will do better. Next year call me Martha S. because it is ON!

1) Bake Cookies.
You HAVE to bake cookies for Christmas, HAVE to. But ummm..when I say "bake" I use that term loosely. A box of store bought shortbread cookies and boxed icing totally counts. ;) Or if you're feeling REALLY keen, try this recipe...it's a winner. (Tip: Read the reviews, they'll help).

2) The MiniVan Express
Does sitting my kids out in the driveway to look at our own lights count? No, oh, ok. This I can do. Fake tickets. If necessary drive through McDs for hot chocolate (watch out, I've heard it's actually hot!) and maybe a donut or two if I don't have time to make something. Easy.

3) Elf on the Shelf
One year when I am a cool mum I will do all the fun stuff I see all over Facebook and Pinterest of the Elf getting up to mischief around the house but this year the princesses are just content to find "her" in different locations around the house. Did you know that there are 24 days before Christmas in December and did you know you run out of hiding places after about day 7. Seriously.

4) A Giant Colouring Christmas Tree

How cool is this to encourage your kids to write on the walls!?! Yes. We are doing this. Tomorrow actually. A purchase of Magic Erasers might be in order. Also, this is the craft that keeps on crafting. No need to find a new and exciting thing to do every day just add to the tree. Glitter, stickers, paint, left over peanut butter and jelly. Fun times.

5) Visit Santa.
Do this on the cheap, do not be suckered into buying the mall Christmas photos. If necessary buy one of those long range telescopic lense things. Yes they're more expensive but it's the principle! Or find a Bass Pro Shop, they're free there ;)

6) Read the Night Before Christmas
In your best British accent. It's more fun that way. Trust me.

7) Read the Story of Jesus' Birth
Just because that one never really gets old :)

8) Take a Family Photo in Front of the Christmas Tree
It's a team building exercise for you and your spouse. If you can survive that you can survive anything. You get extra points if you have pets.

9) Make a Gingerbread House
Every year I've wanted to do one but never got around to it. Walmart sells a kit so this year, no excuses.

10) Have your Husband Make a Christmas CD
Then proceed to mock every song and replace words with very similar words until he is also singing the wrong words. Good times.

And that's it. Memories will be made. Fun will be had by all. Next year, I will do better.

Merry Christmas to all...and I hope you survive it.

C