Holiday Breakdowns

Last night I headed over to my girlfriend’s house for some empathy.

You see, my boyfriend and I were having disagreements about the correct path for our relationship to take. This had gone on for a number of days (or months depending on how you count it) and my patience was up and the tears were a-flowing.

When we’d moved on to lighter subjects, she shared that earlier that day, while sitting around a table of four girlfriends, each in turn shared their holiday breakdown. How perfect that mine would round out the day!

The holidays are a time of stress and joy, hangovers and presents, holiday parties and heartache. They are chock so full of ups and downs that it feels like the few weeks last a year themselves.

This year I was so determined to do it right and stress-free that I started the presents spreadsheet before Thanksgiving and had most presents wrapped a week before Christmas. Even that level of preparation did not keep a breakdown at bay.

From now on, I will rest assured that each holiday season, there will be a breakdown. No matter how I mentally and physically prepare, it is a taxing season that lends itself to breakdowns.

And there’s nothing wrong with that. Let’s accept reality as is, shall we? Continue Reading

WTF Crate and Barrel? Sweater vases?

This has to be the best product I’ve seen in a long time.  Vases that look like they were cable knit.  Finally, a vase that captures the holiday spirit!

I can just picture my sweetie bringing me some flowers in the depths of winter.  Though they are speckled with snow, the flowers glow with warmth wrapped in this ceramic sweater vase!

Wait, something’s missing here.

 

Now that’s a complete outfit.

Quick and Easy Gift Tags

Wrapping presents is one of my favorite activities.

I went to my boyfriend’s Christmas last year for the first time ever, and noticed that the tradition in his family is unadorned, simple wrapping jobs–not the masterpieces of curling ribbon and contrasting wrapping papers of my parents’ Christmas.

This year I weighed my options: simplify my wrapping to fit in, or own my family’s tradition. It was an easy choice.

While wrapping I ran into the problem of needing gift tags. I considered various options, and decided to take the easiest route: fold a piece of wrapping paper in half, and write the message inside. Not only is it quick and easy and cheap, but it’s a great way to use the little bits that you wind up throwing away. Continue Reading