Here we are, in the final days before Christmas! As is true with all things, the holidays this year are a little bit different. Here’s how it’s looking so far: 

Dec. 14th, 12 Days to go: 

Most years – Final big gift shopping! Plenty of time to get stuff in the mail. General merriment and Christmas tunes on repeat. 

This year – Final big gift shopping on Amazon, with fingers crossed stuff will arrive in time. Get to the post office to ship stuff to others or it’ll cost your firstborn to get it there by Christmas. Relief that merriment is still a possibility, with Christmas tunes on repeat. It’s been “almost Christmas” since Halloween at this point, so you’re just ready for it to be over.

Dec. 19th, 7 Days to go: 

Most years – Head to Target for stocking presents and little stuff to round out packages to send. Bake some cookies to decorate. Keep playing those Christmas tunes, but maybe throw in some peppy pop now and again to keep energy up. 

This year – Frantically order something on Amazon to send directly to recipient without gift-wrapping when you realize the package you’re shipping will NOT be making it in time, as you are unwilling to actually give up your firstborn to cover the shipping costs. Make a 12th batch of cookies, just to pass some more time because that always works. It honestly doesn’t even matter who is going to eat them at this point. And if you hear Brenda Lee rockin’ around that Christmas tree one more time, you might just snap. But, um… Yaayyy Christmas!… 

Dec. 23rd, 2 days to go: 

Most years – I don’t feel like wrapping presents. I’ll do it tomorrow. 

This year – I don’t feel like wrapping presents. I’ll do it tomorrow. 

Dec. 24th, Christmas Eve: 

Most years – Magical with a tinge of frantic as you finish up wrapping and baking and cooking and magic-making. 

This year – Magical! Yeah, wrap the presents, and then that Sh*t is DONE. Hey, let’s bring Brenda Lee back to the party. 

Dec. 25th, The Day: 

Most years – Happy and sleepy and magical (with the exception of that one year when everyone got sick). 

This year – Happy and sleepy and magical. A Christmas Story on repeat, followed by a silent night. 

It’s not all bad. Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! Ready for you, 2021!