Notes To Self for Next Christmas

1. Do not stick a little tealight under this cute tree.

It will start a fire.

All is good.

Nothing like a smoke alarm during a Swedish smorgasbord with 32 people.

2. Don't make cookies without a purpose,

You will eat them.

3. Go to the gym,

Every day your children are home.

4. Wear a turtleneck in cases of extreme social anxiety,

It will save yourself embarrassment of possible allergic reaction.

5. Make meatballs.

You don't eat them, but everyone else does.

There is never ever enough during the above smorgasbord.

6. Make chore lists for your children,

Make it long,

every day.

7. Plan a date night for Dec. 22 with your husband.

and maybe the 23rd too.

The children are very strung out post Sofi's perfect Dec. 21 birthday.

8. Plan activities over break with each child,

Two of the four will inevitably be bored....making each day very long.

9. Start the Christmas cards in October,

Mail in early Dec.

10. Do not engrave any Christmas presents,

Will save you $ later on when a return is necessary.

11. Have presents wrapped before children are home on break,

This will save you from wrapping until 2 a.m.

12. When starting the wrapping of presents,

make sure you have tape that you have hidden from children.

13. When ordering presents online,

read the small print,

make sure all of the pieces are included,

and no starter kits need to be purchased,

this will save dear husband from heading to store at 11:30 p.m.

14. Do not make presents two days before Christmas.

If they aren't done,

they aren't done.

15. Be flexible.

16. Be patient.

17. Be flexible some more.

18. Be patient some more.

19. Keep your own private stash of dark chocolate well stocked.

20. Have fun,

it only happens once a year.

-julie