Did you get my Christmas card? Um, yeah, I didn't think so

It's been a couple of weeks since Thanksgiving, and I still haven't gotten a Christmas card from anyone yet. I suppose it's still kind of early, but usually by this time, I've gotten a few cards already. I would open them, and ooh and ahh at how big your kids have gotten or how pretty the glittery Christmas tree is on it. Then I'd sit them all on a stack on my kitchen island. When I received enough, I'd find a decorative tin or basket to set them in. Next month, when the holiday decorations come down, they'd end up in the trash or packed away next to a collectible gingerbread house and some fake garland in a box labeled "X-mas." But again, maybe it's just too early. It's probably definitely just too early...

Or maybe, just maybe, I'm not on your Christmas card list anymore. Because ummm, you know, I didn't send cards last year. 

It was the first time I'd skipped this annual ritual. In the past, I had always labored over my cards. It was what I thought I had to do. I'd try to find the right pictures of my kids to use or the cutest boxed cards or even make them myself with scrapbook paper and embellishments - all because I wanted you, too, to ooh and ahh over mine. Last year, I bought red cardstock and vowed to make my own homemade ones. I searched online blogs and craft sites for inspiration. In the end, I did nothing.

But last year was different. Last year had been a challenge for me, and I swore when the holidays came that I was going to forget all those little things that stressed me out and for once in my life focus on soaking up the season - the true meaning of the season as I defined it. I wanted to bake cookies and put fresh greens around my house. I wanted to decorate gingerbread houses and blast holiday music while wrapping presents.  I wanted to make my own ornaments and red velvet pancakes on Christmas morning. And I did  - I did all that and more. And in the end, none of it included writing a single Christmas card. I had made time for all the things I wanted to do, and Christmas cards just didn't make the cut.

Two nights ago, I dressed my kids up, gave them signs that said "Merry" and "Christmas" and plopped them in front of our Christmas tree. I snapped photos with the camera on my phone and thought maybe they'd make for a good Christmas card. And maybe they will, or maybe they won't. I honestly don't know if I'll even get around to it this year.

But what I do know is that you shouldn't have to labor over things for the holidays. And you shouldn't have to do things because you feel like you have to. Instead, find the things you love, and do them. Over and over again. Do them. Whether it's cards or crafts or pancakes, do them. I know I will.