Getting closer to Christmas...

Not long until Christmas. If that sentence elicited a big sigh, you aren't alone! I've yet to talk to anyone that's actually excited about the holidays coming around. Everyone's looking forward to the idea of the Holiday Season, but when specifics are discussed....I hear many "ug's!". I suppose there are lots of reasons some of us are dreading the holidays: travel, messes, finances, tax time, and the 100% possibility of overeating!... The dreads go on and on. Trying to fit in time with each part of the extended family is close to impossible for many. For us, that means driving in one direction, then in almost the opposite direction within just a few days. We don't mind. After all, there is the reward of family at the end of each journey. However, it's still DRIVING! Fortunately, Julianne travels much better than either Jim or I. (Which is in contrast to how she did in the car for the first year of her life, for those of you who can remember!) Anyway, getting back to dreading the Holiday Season.....

I suppose each dread is matched with something that is sort of pleasant....seeing friends or family and finally catching up on gossip (you guys knew this would be something I look forward to!), seeing the little ones - especially new babies that we get to see for the first time, and let's not forget...................THE FOOD!!!!!! The food is a catch-22. It's a must for most social gatherings - and Holiday Celebrations are certainly that. But, for those of us who aren't pure ectomorphs (google it if you don't know what it means), the spread laid out before us during the holiday season can cause some serious anxiety. I want to eat everything in sight! You all know I have an incredible sweet-tooth and can't resist anything that contains even the smallest amount of sugar. So, I guess this is my biggest dread for the holiday season - dealing with the plentiful nourishment that is set before me at each holiday gathering.....pies, fudge (where'd all the peanut butter fudge go? - oh, Linda at it all!), peanut brittle, finger foods, cookies, dill-dip in a rye bread bowl, snack mixes that seem to reproduce in the bowl and are available 24-7...it goes on and on. The bad part is I even catch myself eating the food that I don't even like - such as those gosh-awful cheeseballs! Even worse - I have no plan in mind to stop me from continuing my Holiday Eating Tradition, but suggestions can be made!

If I had my way, and the ideas I had in my little brain could become reality with a click of my Brooks, the following things would be present at each Holiday Meal: 1) A professional hand-slapper. Theoretically, each gathering would need more than one of these. Someone who stands by the food and slaps your hand as you reach for the bad stuff. Seriously, there has to be an agency who rents these guys out! 2) Boxed-Dinners (dessert included). You walk in the door of someone's house for Christmas Dinner, hug 5-10 people, and are then handed a box that holds your evening's food in its entirety....Perfectly measured out portions of Turkey (white meat, of course), stuffing, a vegetable, salad, and - most importantly - a bite-sized sweet of some sort. And, that's it! That's all you get! There's NO buffet of treats lining the dining room furniture! 3) Instead of the usual sweats, the only sugary item available is an assortment of Jelly-Bellys. Imagine it...Jelly-Bellys in the flavors of Christmas! Some may exist already, but I'm thinking of flavors like candy cane, peanut brittle, fudge (all kinds!), white-chocolate-macadamia nut cookie, chex-mix, puppy-chow mix...I could go on and on. Anyway, each guest would be given 3 tickets for 3 Jelly-Bellys - and that's all you get!

So, those are my ideas for a much less stressful Holiday Season. So far, I've stayed out of the Christmas isle at Wal-mart. However, the kid and I made caramel corn last week (and it was kick-a$$) and it's already gone - mostly me, I admit!

My request for you is this - if you know I am coming to your house for a holiday celebration - can you please place duct-tape over my mouth as soon as I walk in the door? (Have mercy, however, and leave a small hole so I can drink wine through a straw.) I begged the dentist to wire my jaws shut for the next 3 weeks, but he wouldn't - so, it's all up to you - my cooking, talented hosts and hostesses - to save me from myself!

I'm going to switch gears now and talk about gift-giving. Most of you know that I really don't like giving gifts. Of course, I LOVE getting Julianne whatever she wants and I constantly have to keep myself in check with that. I am talking about buying a gift for someone just because it's Christmas and you feel you have to get them something. Yeah, you have a drawing at work, so you better get something for the name you drew. However, how many of us actually know someone who really NEEDS something for Christmas (besides cash!)? I really know not one single person who is in need! I could go out an buy you a trinket, a neckless, some towels - or some other stupid gift that you really don't need, or I could spend my money where it benefits those that ARE in need. I've encouraged my family to NOT give Jim or I anything this year. A)we are moving soon and really don't want to have to pack more crap and B) we DON'T NEED ANYTHING!!! So, we are just buying for the kids. At the bottom of this post, there is a list of links to charities that you can access online and give - knowing you really are benefitting someone that is less fortunate. You guys all know my favorite is St. Jude Research Hospital. I push everyone to order from their catalog each year because 100% of the proceeds goes to the hospital. They have some really nice stuff on there, too.

Bottom line - do something different this year....send someone a card saying you spared them having to find more room on the mantle for the knick-knack you were going to get them and, instead, donated to a charity in their names.

www.charitynavigator.org - this site reviews all the charities and lets you search where you'd like to put your money....environment, public health, animals, etc. It even tells you which charities are worthless!

www.charitywatch.org - this site also rates the charities so you know you are giving to a worthy (and legitimate!) cause.

www.wish.org - Make-a-Wish Foundation. As you probably know, this organization grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. I know several people who give to this charity on a yearly basis - certainly a good cause.

www.rmhc.org - The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc. (RMHC®) is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well being of children.

www.stjude.org - My personal favorite. Navigate your way the The Hope Catalog. Again, every sent goes to St. Jude...the designers of the clothes and jewelry all donate the goods! Your purchase is tax-deductable! So, you are purchasing a gift AND donating to a good cause.

www.ecarepackage.org - this site is an organization that sends care-packages to the troops. I came across this site and it looks legit, but I've no experience with it. Good cause, none-the-less.

Well, that's enough to get you started. If online donations make you feel uncomfortable - you can always find your local Red Cross or Salvation Army and give.

Okay - stepping down from my soapbox now! Please feel free to check out the poll I've added to my blog!