Gathered in the kitchen, aprons of old clenched tightly around my waist, I close my eyes while the delectable aroma of my freshly baked gingerbread cookies arouse sensations and memories of baking days gone past.
I’m so proud of this gorgeous Christmas Tree project.
Sigh…
Martha Stewart I am!
NOT!
Ladies – this is the picture of a scarred child; a child whose mother purchased a Wilton’s Christmas Tree kit at 80% off during the after Christmas sales, and saved it…in their attic, for such a time as this.
This is a daughter who is not enjoying every single minute of decorating her Wilton’s Christmas Tree to perfection.
And you know what? I am ok with that.
My worth is not based on how beautifully my house is decorated, or how many cookies I bake this Christmas.
Which is a good thing because this is the extent of my holiday baking.
With our spontaneous trip to the football championship, I had to release many of my expectations for Christmas.
Embracing my husband’s wise advice reminded me, ” I can’t be a slave to my traditions.” This allowed me to let go of any disappointment I was feeling and make the most of capturing the remaining moments.
So I did, with the Wilton baking kit. (And no, they are not sponsoring this post. I was just fortunate enough to find one after Christmas and I will definitely be scouting them out on the 26th.) 
Hosting our extended family on Christmas Eve will allow for some baking, but guess what? It’s three days before Christmas, not a homemade cookie has been baked or decorated and everyone has survived.
So my Tasty Tuesday Tip for the week – Enjoy your last few days.
Christmas will come and go regardless of the details that are not completed. Don’t let the pressure to preform to someone else’s expectations (or quite possibly your own) rob you of the rich relationships forged during this holiday week. Simplify these last few days and embrace the family moments.
Those are the moments that your family will remember the most, not the decorated Christmas cookies (or lack thereof).
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I love the Wilton Christmas Tree! It’s adorable!
What a cute idea! I’d love to do something like this, but somehow I think I would mess it up.
The tree is really wonderful!!
And, hey, I made brownies tonight. Does that count as a Christmas cookie? Check that one off my list!! LOL!
That tree is very cute! You gave such GOOD advice friend!! I’ve still got several things to do, but I’m not going to get upset if they don’t all get done. It will still be Christmas and we will still enjoy our time! Merry Christmas!
What a beautifully decorated cookie tree – and of course it doesn’t matter that it was a kit! As you said, what matters is the wonderful memories your daughter now has of the fun she had decorating it. Plus you’ve got a lovely Christmas decoration for everyone to enjoy. Thanks for hosting Tasty Tuesday and have a very Merry Christmas with your family!
Wonderful! And you are so right, the time together is the memory. But truly your cookie tree is beautiful!
Be Merry~
Robin
All Things Heart and Home
I am soooo glad to know that I’m not the only one with 80% off gingerbread houses in the attic in July! : )
Thanks for hosting Tasty Tuesday. Have a blessed and merry Christmas!
I’ve seen several posts around the blogosphere lately about keeping Christmas real and I LOVE it. Is it crazy that your post makes me sigh in relief? You’ve just let me know that I don’t have to get it all done to have a happy Christmas. Thank you!!!! You gave me the greatest gift of all.
Your scarred child looks very happy.
I hope mine will that scarred this Christmas. Blessings to you!
Thanks for this timely reminder! We were supposed to get our Christmas tree on the weekend, but the blizzard that left us 22 inches of snow also left us unable to get out and now, well, there’s only three days left, so I’m thinking it’s a little late. We have a garland around our banister and I’m just going to put ornaments on it. The kids are 3.5 and 18 months, and I don’t think they’ll really mind. Merry Christmas!
Like the last commenter, my children are young 3, 1 and 4.5 months and I put up a small tree with like, 5 ornaments on it! Thanks for this post. I’m going to sit right now, have a cup of coffee and read my Bible while the kids nap…which will do me better than cleaning and cooking ever could. I love that wilton kit – I’m going out the 26th in search of one!!! Your daughter is beautiful and looks like she’s really enjoying it!
Looks like you had a lot of fun and it looks very cute too!
I am laughing because my children are doing a gingerbread house tonight – from a Wilton kit purchased last year after Christmas for I think $2! They are both excited and this year it’s the best I can do. I’ve let go alot of my traditions this year (not even doing Christmas cards) and I’m really ok with it considering everything that’s been going on this month.
Traditions are made for people — not people for traditions.
Enjoy where you are!!
Jens Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Loved that, Tami…you are so right.
We did a clearance gingerbread house kit in January or February this year! And tomorrow, spur of the moment because I ended up with time and energy, we’re making graham cracker gingerbread houses with a couple friends. Should be great! And so as not to disappoint my girls’ expectations, I haven’t even told them yet! Good for you to just enjoy what you do. And even better, who you’re with! And Who we’re celebrating. (Sorry for rambling.)
Hey, Jen, I’m sharing a new chicken pot pie recipe I’ve been making. Really yummy! Merry Christmas!
Jen- I was at Walmart today for a couple last minute things and they had Gingerbread homes for $3 down from $10! I have been wanting them this year but couldn’t bring myself to pay full price, so it was a perfect pre-Christmas price!!
Jens Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 11:53 pm
YEA, JESS – that is such a fun little blessing, isn’t it? Have a wonderful Christmas
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