What I’m looking forward to this festive season

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Okay so 2020 has been quite a year. I’ve tried to stay positive and upbeat but like many there have been things I’ve missed immensely since March. I’ve missed seeing family and close friends. I’ve missed eating out at restaurants. I’ve missed travel and we had to cancel alot of plans which we’d really been looking forward to.

This festive season is going to be a little different of course. I thought about previous festive seasons and how the build up to Christmas is usually one filled with rushing around and to-do lists. Trying to keep everyone happy. Feeling exhausted. And I realised that while this festive season will be different, I’m still excited and there are things I’m looking forward to:

  • November and December this year will mean none of the inevitable ‘it-is-the-festive-season-you-have-to-see-every-person-you’ve-ever-met-for-a-catch-up’ mindset. Why do some people feel the need for a lengthy catch up over tea or dinner or a braai or girls night when it is already the busiest time of the year? Usually this is the season for everyone you’ve spoken to since 2005 to try contact you. And this year is the first that I don’t feel time strapped. I haven’t struggled to make time for a workout. Haven’t felt overwhelmed by a busy diary. I’ve actually been able to focus on the season.

  • For the first time in so many years there is zero drama regarding the annual pre-Christmas gathering. This is a mandatory ‘fun’ get together that someone in your social circle insists on organizing. The planning will begin in October but has been known to start earlier. Through an overactive Whatsapp group that will simultaneously drain your data, energy and enthusiasm, you will be told what to bring, reminded of the date numerous times, what to spend on your secret santa (x2 if you are bringing a partner), while you hope enough people say no (so it doesn’t look like you were the only non-interested person craving a quiet night in during the busy season).

    Confession: One year I was so exhausted I made a last minute excuse hours before we were due at the obligatory pre-Christmas braai (date was set in stone so there was no time to re-schedule). Hubby and I sat on our couch eating our way through a big bag of quality street chocolate and had a fabulous Sunday.

  • This year will mean time saved on exchanging gifts with people who tell you at the start of November your gift is wrapped and ready. Like no pressure! The ‘reminder’ is often followed with a Whatsapped picture of your gift under their tree. Still no pressure! I’m looking forward to less time spent in shops. No forced Secret Santa. No running around for the inevitable last minute gifts and wrapping paper and then going back for the labels and tape. The busy shops. The queues. A process that used to start in November and continue throughout December. I’m looking forward to actually enjoying the festive season and remembering the true meaning to Christmas.

  • I’m looking forward to none of the usual non-stop rush that used to be the theme to most of December. I’m looking forward to quiet evenings with my hubby as we plan our anniversary and Christmas. Slowly putting up the decorations and listening to Christmas music. Snacking on mince pies and shortbread biscuits and just soaking up the season. Enjoying tea out of our Christmas mugs and feeling calm and content.

    To wrap it up (no pun intended) I’m looking forward to not feeling frazzled, not starting my leave exhausted, not feeling like a terrible person for saying no and not feeling any guilt while hubby and I eat our way through another huge bag of quality street chocolate in peace and quiet.

What are you looking forward to? Do you have anything on your definitely-not-missing-this-year list? Please share them in the comments.

xx