I'm pretty much in same boat! DS & wife coming in day after xmas! Dad had a stroke at Thanksgiving & everything stopped for awhile! So I can't seem to get back on track. I'm making lists & doing decorating in just 1 room at a time, making cookies & list kinds & check them off as I get them done. Today is mail the gift to DS so they can enjoy the tastes of my goodies while they are still home. And open a couple of homemade gifts- checks instead of gifts as I couldn't find anything much. I painted some seashells similar to the lady that did the beach tree,ornaments of fan shells & the little conch shells, they came out nice. DIL loves the Pacific Ocean! Used Folk Art paints- metallic champagne & pearl white &(antique copper look nice but too dark) added "twinkles'glitter in crystal to give some glitter & they were finished with gold fine cord Weldbonded to backs(which I didn't paint) as they were pretty naturally. A quick gift & something DIL will probably like better than other gifts. Don't have 3/4 of cards out & have a lot of cleaning to do but if gets done gets done, I have to freeze food for when they are here also but sometimes life & emergencies get in the way. Dad is almost 100% little problem writing his name but speech is back & in great shape for 93. They are family so just follow your lists & do what you can. Good Luck! Jan

Gardener1908, I think when stress creeps into our lives, like it clearly is in your life, you just have to take it a day at a time. Do a little something to get yourself started and don't get overwhelmed by the "big" picture. You may just be overwhelmed at the prospect of having to do everything and the pressure of a traveling hubby and family all coming into town. I can relate as my husband used to travel a great deal and being the only one home to do everything else is overwhelming at times. Just put a few things out and I bet you'll find that you will keep going, but probably at a slower pace and maybe even with less decorating than usual. There's nothing wrong with things not being perfect or not having every corner of your house decorated. This is the first year in almost 6 years that I have "fully" decorated a house again, I just didn't have the motivation the last few years.

Like Jan said, make a list, but a short one so you don't feel defeated and do a few simple things at a time and you'll feel better.

Jan I'm the one who did the beach themed tree and I would LOVE to see the ornaments you made, they sound beautiful!

Kat :)

Gardener1908- Wonder if a local youth group would be good place to find some elves to help you get the decorations up?

Gardner, I'm sure its the "big picture" of all you want to do that is so overwhelming. At least that's how I felt when faced with decorating. Tho I didn't have all the stresses your dealing with. Jan and Kat's advice is right on the money tho.
Will be hoping it works for you. Take a deep breath and try to relax a bit if possible.

hugs, Karen

Do minimal, don't stress over decor, it's family & friends being together for the holidays that counts, not what your home looks like.

I know STRESS, and do not make decorationg part of your stress. For myself, when stressed to the max, I try to eliminate things that I do NOT HAVE to do, and deal one day at a time with only things I absolutely have to do.

Your family will love being together no matter how much decor you manage to get up.

Most people have stress thru the holidays anyway, with baking, cooking, shopping, decorating etc. but when you have added stresses not holiday related it can really overwhelm you. I am not even doing a tree this year, I have the table & the mantel & that is all I'm doing.

Sure it would look nice, but my back is still killing me, other family things going on & if we all manage to get thru this last leg of this family ordeal, I will be happy just to have everyone relaxed & together without this outside stress hanging over us. That will be our xmas present!!!!

I'm so sorry things are just not going well for you this year. All these ladies have given you some good advice. Just remember that even a few touches of Christmas here and there look wonderful, and by the time you add in the good food, fun and laughter, everyone will have a wonderful Christmas. Sometimes we just want everything to be so perfect that we drive ourselves crazy and end up not enjoying any of it! Just take a deep breath, make a short list of what's the most important things that need done and then take it one day at a time. Luvs

Thanks to all of you, I could feel my breathing slow down as I read your suggestions. I did only put a few things up outside, although I have a very cute 'Toyland' display we've built up over the years, just too much work to put up & take down.It took the better part of 2 days to get garlands up, but it's done and I am starting to see the end. I have thought about calling a local church and seeing if someone would like to earn some extra money for the holidays. With the job market the way it is (I know, husband is an auto exec. and was out of work for 8 mos., so glad he's back to work)I thought I might be able to get help there. And reading Sunnyca response, I am grateful that all are healthy here and yes, the most important thing is family & friends. Yeah, if we're stressed & angry, wheres the fun? Thanks to all, I can breathe now.

I was like that over my mantel. It took me 2 weeks to get it done, most of that just thinking and planning and looking for 'stuff to do it with. What a waste of time that was! When I actually set to do it... It took me less than an hour. Does it look like what was in my head? no... but that's ok.

When its stressing you out... take a time out. Take an hour or a whole day off... or just go for a long long walk, soak in the tub or do all of those things. Whatever it takes to get your head on right and be relaxed.

When you come back to it, be at peace.
Set the stage by lighting some candles, play some soft & quiet "reason for the season" Christmas Music.

Plan easy dinners for this time of year. Maybe soup and grilled cheese? A crockpot meal? Plan something simple you don't even have to think about.

Then only do what HAS to be Done. A little decoration in each room is better than having Mom go into complete meltdown. :)

Give yourself a schedule. I took it one room at a time.
I gave myself week for each of the main rooms. What didn't get done, didn't get done and I moved on to the next.
You may not have time to do a room a week.. so do it 4 or 5 days at a time.. or one room a day, whatever works best for you. Just don't try to do the whole house at one time. The kids can help. YOU don't have to do it all and you don't have to use every single decoration you own.

Broken items? Just put them all in one box to deal with later. (Like next July)

Clean each room when its finished. When you get stressed... just go back to that room and sit and enjoy it until you're in "the good place" again.

You'll have to Call it Finished at some point. Get all the stuff you aren't using boxed and put away so you don't keep going back to it. You need to have time enough to do other things you might still need to do: finish shopping, the cooking and enjoy your family.

I decided to not put up a tree in the formal living room this year. I'll just set out a few Christmas-y things and call it done. What a way to de stress!

Concentrate on the important things (and don't let Everything be important).
This mantra helps me a lot when I'm stressing over doing or making something:
It doesn't have to be perfect.. it just needs to be done. :)

I feel for ya! But the most important things are de stress before you start, and have a plan.
Stick to the plan --and cut out what doesn't HAVE to be done.

Take a look in the home decorating forum at a post labeled "Tired of Overdecorating..." You're not alone in feeling overwhelmed, and it's interesting to see how many people, including me, yearn for a more simplified, calming, natural Christmas decorating. But it's hard to accomplish, especially if we're used to doing it a certain way and if we already have all the cherished--or maybe not!--stuff.

lovesummer, thanks for info on post over on H.D. forum.
I figure at some point, my body is going to win the war and I'll have to simplify. Tho I sincerely hope its not
next Christmas. I am afraid I cherish too much of my stuff and like you said, it would be hard to accomplish a
simple version.

hugs, Karen

Gardener, you've received lots of good advice already and I hope you will manage to work thru this situation and have a lovely Christmas.

When I get overwhelmed it's usually because I'm buying into other people's styles or values and not staying true to my own. I have to watch this when I see lovely home decor and decorations on the internet as I'm not willing to spend like some do nor do I have staff! Wouldn't *that* be nice! ;-) So it's just me and my lack of energy and limited budget but when I work within that I'm OK.

" So it's just me and my lack of energy and limited budget but when I work within that I'm OK."
I wish that worked for me, LG. I still manage to overwhelm myself with too much stuff. I need to stay out of GW, Dollar Tree, Michael's sales, etc. I have such trouble resisting Christmas stuff when its downright cheap.
I look thru pictures here and in our Inspiration albums and there are so many things I want to do, but no room for one thing. As for energy? LOL, that left me long ago.

I went and read all the posts on Home Decor. about cutting back and ended up just shaking my head. It wouldn't seem like Christmas to me to simplify "that" much.
I guess we each just have to do what is right for us. And even if that means me being overwhelmed trying to decorate, it makes me happy enough to be worth it. I spent so many years of the One Tree-One Wreath thing, and I just don't want to go back to that again now I've discovered such joy in decorating. Maybe being so house-bound these days is part of that. I surround myself with things that make me feel good just looking at them.
Empty Life, Full House. LOL.

hugs, Karen

Hey all, well I bit the dust on NOT over-decorating. As I posted in another thread, I went out today & bought my chef santa's and decorated my kitchen with them.

When my oldest grandson saw that, he was determined to out-do me, this is his "thing" this year, if I decorate an area, then he seems to have the need to compete with me, so he did the coffee table & the end table in the livingroom.

I had told him I wasn't going to do the coffee table, as I needed another mirror and today I bought another one (just to have "in case" for any season or holiday) cause Hobby Lobby has then 50% off today, so he was thrilled & said "now can I do the coffee table, you have another mirror"..

So, I will be posting my kitchen & his "decor" sometime this weekend, if I can handle this pain.

My right hand has sharp pains ( arthritis from the cold weather ) and it actually woke me up it hurts so bad, really difficult typing right now, keep making typos!!

Yacht, how wonderful you have a GS who is so into the decorating. You're a lucky woman! I can't wait to see what he's done too.
Gosh, that is awful your hand is so bad. Especially the one you use most. I am really sorry you have to deal with this. Sounds like you need a warmer climate!

hugs, Karen

Well, after spending over 3 days to get all of my archways ( I have 13!) and my banister & balcony, they are done. This is the first year decorating my new dining room & game room, so I am stiil trying to figure it out. I am falling in love with the dining room. I like for this room to be elegant and somewhat over the top. It is done in pale gold, dark chocolate & milk chocolate brown with amber glassware. Still don't have the tree done in this room yet, but it is getting there. I know what you mean about it not feeling like Christmas without the decorating. I tell my family that seeing the house all dressed up in her Sunday best, is what makes my Christmas. I wrote on another post that a part of me loves the simple,elegant look, but another part of me yells 'lets go for it'! and I'm at it for 10 days! LOL Coming here has given me the inspiration to kick my butt in gear and get it done. Thank You all.

THIRTEEN arches?? WOW! Then a banister AND balcony! You rock, Girl. I think your dining room is going to be really gorgeous, and elegant, in those colors. I can hardly wait to see it. I'm sure glad for folks who do yell "lets go for it", LOL. Once a year, to see the house dressed up and over the top, has to make all the work worth it. Then you can sit back and enjoy it all (and also enjoy others reactions.

hugs, Karen

I agree, I'm looking forward to seeing
your home 'All Decked Out' !
It's true it comes once a year then it's gone..
But once it's done, you can get to enjoy it. Then, sadly, it's hard to take down, because it goes by so fast.
Try to do what makes you happy, and enjoy it all.

Today, I went on a Historic Christmas House Tour here in CT, and I'm glad I saw them AFTER I decorated.
They were done so beautifully..one after another, and all so inspiring. I know they would have driven me to do more with my decorating..but I'm happy to be done, and can now just enjoy it.
Once again...looking forward to yours.

jane

Well,the arches are double sided you know, one way in one room and another on the other side , some smaller that others, but yes 13. My house is 109 yrs. old so it has some really nice woodwork and features to it. The man who built it was minister and used to marry people in the main "reception room' so it has a stairway going up with a small balcony that curves over the main area, but it really is not that big of a room but has a really nice fireplace with built in seats next to it and built in seats across the room, kinda neat. When I get it all done I will post some pics. Just hoping it comes out as nice as it looks in my head. LOL

Lots of good advice here! At this time of my life I figure if "you're up and at it" then "all is good." Congrats to all you holiday decorators! Little or alot...it's whatever makes you feel good! I'm enjoying visiting all your homes during this blessed season! TFS your pics! Jeanne S.

hugs, Karen

Karen - thats gonna be my new motto for the season. It says it all. TFS