By Leslie Lindsay

As the days tick by on the Advent calendar at our house, I feel more panic than anticipation.  You see, I am not feeling ready for the festivities.  And usually I am.  Of course, that was back in the day when I was a child and everything seemed to take forever.  It’s true: time really does go by faster the older one gets.

In fact, I have had nightmares that the Christmas tree isn’t up yet…the gifts aren’t purchased…the whole nine yards!  In one such dream, it was Christmas morning and I had no gifts for my children–Santa didn’t come–and so I was out in the snow driving around trying to find something–anything–that was open so I could procure a few items for my kids to open, even if it was just a junky little toy from Walgreens.  Another dream was about the tree not being up and so the only thing we could find on such short-notice was a tiny little Charlie Brown style tree.  It was pathetic and I cried and cried, telling my children how very sorry I was that they didn’t have anything better.

But, in reality, the tree is up and the presents are bought and wrapped and well, things are pretty much under control.  But the thing is, we parents sure have a lot of pressure to make the holiday come off as a super magical, all-excitement and wonderment that it should be.  And yes, I think moms shoulder most of that burden.  (Don’t get me wrong–I know there are a lot of dads out there that do plenty).

When it comes right down to it, who is the person in your family who plans to Santa’s lap excursion?  The cookie baking event?  Who purchases toys for the kids?  The extended family?  Who wraps them?  Who decides on the menu?  Who does the shopping for that menu?  Who hangs the outdoor lights?  Who decorates the tree?  And of course–all of the extra things like Gingerbread Decorating Party?  The trip to Santa’s Workshop (if there is one in your area)?  The Neighborhood/Adult party? The weekend-long bake fest?  And yadda yadda yadda….

Now don’t misinterpret this list…it is not intended to cause an arguement between significant others.  Please don’t print this out and wave it under your beloved’s nose and say, “Hey–which one of these jobs have you done, lazy-bones?!”  No, no, no….that would be counterproductive.  And it may be very well that you two have taken the to-do list and split it 50-50 down the middle.  Cheers to you!

But, you see where I am going with this, right?  It’s a heck of a lot of work to get ready for Christmas Day.  Now, if you’lll excuse me I have some cranberry bread to pull out of the oven and some sugar cookies to roll out….

And that is what is in my brain today, Thursday December 22, 2011.