What I Didn't Do

This Christmas season has certainly been a unique one for us with having a newborn. Since Aleeah was born, I've been learning that I can't do everything I used to do and still give her the time and attention she needs right now. Novel concept, I know, but it's been a challenging one for me to grasp. Somehow I think I should be able to be SuperMom with a spotlessly clean house, dinner on the table ready to go by time Michael gets home each evening, and of course never behind on laundry or ironing. And so in an attempt to have a simpler, more relaxed December, there were several things I decided not to do this year -


1. I didn't make tons of cookies. I only made two kinds: sugar cookies and spritz were the winners. This was a little hard for me because the many afternoons spent baking are part of what makes it feel like December to me. In actuality though, just making a few cookies is far more realistic for us. How many can should two people really eat anyway?
2. I didn't make a wreath for my front door. (Instead, the extra branches from our tree that I'd intended to use for a wreath, sat on our porch step all month.) But my sweet sister made one for me!
3. I didn't make our traditional Christmas morning punch. I served orange juice with our banana bread and grits instead and you know what? No one noticed or cared. I think I might make that the new tradition!
4. I didn't send out Christmas letters. Another thing that was hard for me to let go of since it didn't happen last year either. However, my sister-in-law suggested sending out valentine cards instead and I love that idea!

5. I didn't stress that I wasn't able to make all the gifts I wanted to. There will always be other opportunities for handmade gifts; this just wasn't the season for it.

Did you do anything differently this year? How did you feel about the results of that decision?