Tuesday, November 10, 2009

My Theory of Sleep Deprivation & Chirstmas Ideas



It is once again that time of year. The time where I wake up and realize Christmas is only a few weeks away and I have six kids and I had promised myself I would start Christmas preparation months ago. It is quite unfortunate that this realization always comes just after late nights of  Halloween prep compounded by the evil time switch of daylight savings. Because I am sleep deprived. Not enough to appear overly grumpy (ha ha!), but enough to definitely impair my judgement.

I hold that this is the reason I decide that playing Santa to 6 kids isn't enough stress in my life. It's inadequate rest that makes creating all homemade decorations sound lovely. Staying up late to order on Amazon is directly related to the inspiration of cooking five hundred thousand cookies for neighbors and friends. (If I had pushed my bedtime another hour I might have decided to hand quilt them all blankets!)

It is a vicious cycle. A night of stitching individualized book marks leads to a (too early) morning and an idea to bake every Christmas pastry known to humankind. Welcoming the next new day at its earliest beginning, still brushing glazes on bread, will definitely mean choosing to go with hand quilled snowflakes. And as the paper rolling winds into another all nighter, my sleep deprived ideas are fueled into even wilder ideas.

So far this year I have kept my ideas to a minimum. Except the crayon holders, Christmas banners, painted ornaments, and husband's coworker gift. Did I mention my dearest husband is enabler to my lack of sleep creativity?

So if I seem a little distracted, perhaps snoozing in the middle of conversations or forgetting little things like my name or pants, please excuse me. At least there will be enough cookies, decorations, and hand sewn gifts to last a lifetime (or at least till next November).

15 comments:

  1. Wow! You are so ambitious with it all. You are such a good mommy! I think Christmas prep is overwhelming enough with 4 kids, so I can only imagine.

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  2. You are inspiring. I haven't decided yet if I am going to do Cookies in a jar like I did last year, or plates of cookies like normal, haven't stared jammies, or anything for that matter...sheesh, I have a lot to do, I had better get off the computer and get to work!

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  3. DOOD! I go into Christmastime pyschosis every year. Matching straightjackets anyone?

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  4. I promise I won't ever mention your lack of pants

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  5. I commend you for your creativity, drive and stamina...but let's remember the pants. Shall I e mail you a pants reminder each day? You can be my muse-the ideas are brewing in my head but none have actually spewed forth yet.

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  6. You always pull through with flying colors. I don't know where you learned to do what you do, just imagine making homemade things and staying up all night to get things done. Just where could you have learned to do such a thing? Oh I better go I have four blankets to crochet, 28 presents to sew, seminary lesson to prepare, dinner to cook, puzzles to cut and paint, and on and on way into the night.
    I love Christmas at your house.

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  7. I thought the craziness and rush was half the fun! It keeps it exciting, right?

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  8. Alyson- Too bad my ambition does not always equal results.

    Davis Family- I will call you with my ideas for coworker/teacher gifts this year (can't tell you here b/c who knows who will read it)

    Steph Lets get candy striped straightjackets!

    ucmama I appreciate that. Could be a little embarrassing and all.

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  9. Emma Jo- It is your Halloween banner that is haunting me. I want one like it for Christmas. You just might have to send out a pants reminder...

    Tucker Mom- It really is all your fault.

    Kim- You have obviously already succumbed to the sleep deprivation.

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  10. I have two words for you: gift cards.

    God invented them so that we would have more time for naps and chocolate, the true meaning of Christmas.

    All sarcasm aside, I'm so impressed with your ambition, especially if it's something you enjoy.

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  11. Wow, you have so much gumption! I applaud you, especially with 6 kids!

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  12. Steph at D&D- I always keep gift cards on the table as a gift option. Now I can even buy iTunes cards for my oldest as a gift. It is fantastic!!

    Ambrosia- What you call gumption I call intentional infliction of emotional distress (on myself).

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  13. I jumped over here from Diapers ad Divinity and have enjoyed several of your posts. Personally, I am trying to avoid thinking about Christmas shopping. I know the panic will set in soon, but that's when I do my best work!

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  14. I thought I had all my Christmas done months ago. I was tricked. Looks like I'm in the same boat.

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  15. You wrote this post two weeks ago?! The effects of Christmas panic are already evidenced by my lack of blog time. The only evidence I see of your Christmas craft rush (because I'm not there to check your pants status) is that you forgot how to spell C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S. (See post title.) There's a nifty little song to cover up that sleep-deprived misstep: "C is for the Christ child..."

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