The Midlife Nurse

Who loves Christmas shopping?

I used to love it. All done and dusted and cards written by end of November, tree up on 1st December, all organised and loving the Christmas season.

The babies came along and money was tight, so I bought everything in the January sales and saved a fortune.

Now? Ugh. What a drain. I have managed to sort myself out and ordered a few things online two days ago which arrived today. I have no impetus to do it. No enthusiasm and my Christmas spirit has evaporated.

It’s expensive, gluttonous and commercialised. I stopped buying and sending Christmas cards years ago – why?

Because there are none that depict the nativity! I can buy cards with santas, robins, bells, you name it but any cards that indicate the reason for the holiday? Nope. Not without a long search. Ridiculous.

Now I’m not overtly religious but I am catholic, practising loosely on and off my whole life, and have attempted to bring my children up humbly, kind and giving but how can I compete in this climate?

When I’m feeling irritated and forgetful and uninspired, trying to shop for people who just want presents, is totally lost in translation for me.

Some people do secret Santa gifts with family, that’s lovely. Less money spent and more about the get together and love shared, keeping in the spirit of simplicity.

But, too a degree, how much of that even, is based on their need to simplify ever increasing family circles?

I shall enjoy the festive season for sure, but the bah humbug menopausal me is currently losing the slow and steady plod to the Christmas finishing line.

I’m now trying to wrap a pile of presents in style with my Christmas jumper on, but have to admit defeat as I open up a bottle of Prosecco from a friend sat under the tree for me to open on Christmas Day (although they probably knew it wouldn’t make it that far), along with the twiglet’s and chocolate boxes originally destined for someone else’s children 🙄.

I’m a great lover of new year. A time for reinvention, new ideas and new starts. An opportunity to look positively forward and plan. And no money need be spent on anyone as the ideas are free and the positive outlook is a choice.

So as I whinge my way silently through sellotape and wrapping, sloshing the Prosecco into my glass with aplomb, choking on twiglet crumbs …… I shall shoehorn a positive attitude into the crevices of my brain to try and drag myself to Christmas Eve where I shall be able to relax into a weekend of frivolity, family and a lot of love ❤️ until my rude awakening Boxing Day where duty calls in the form of a 12 hour triage shift 🙄