http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/creatress/9527 I don’t know what is going on with my family this year, but every attempt at our usual holiday tradition has been thwarted. For Halloween, we NEVER got to carve our pumpkins! Every time we would make plans and set a date, something would happen and we never did it. Oh yes, we did the trip to the pumpkin patch and each picked out a great one! I had big plans for my pumpkin and was very excited to get carving. Alas, all three still grace our front porch unscathed and unadorned.   Then came Thanksgiving. Ooooo turkey and gravy! Nope, everyone had plans this year so we were just going to stay home. I did watch the parade in the morning (alone!) but nary a turkey to be seen. We tried out Costco meatloaf instead. I don’t recommend it.   Now it’s time to get a tree. We usually wait till later in the month, but as we’re leaving town (and super busy) we wanted to get one nice and early. The first try to our usual tree farm found it closed. Try two? My son was super sick and home in bed. He told us to go without him. As much as I hated to, we went ahead and did. It wasn’t the same at all.   Now I’m feeling pessimistic while looking at the empty, blank tree while I cram homework in, take care of my sick man-cub and wait for my husband to come back from errands. Will we ever actually DECORATE this sucker!? What is going on with all our holiday traditions this year! Is it just a sign that we’re over-busy? All I know is I don’t like it. I don’t know what is going on with my family this year, but every attempt at our usual holiday tradition has been thwarted. For Halloween, we NEVER got to carve our pumpkins! Every time we would make plans and set a date, something would happen and we never did it. Oh yes, we did the trip to the pumpkin patch and each picked out a great one! I had big plans for my pumpkin and was very excited to get carving. Alas, all three still grace our front porch unscathed and unadorned.   Then came Thanksgiving. Ooooo turkey and gravy! Nope, everyone had plans this year so we were just going to stay home. I did watch the parade in the morning (alone!) but nary a turkey to be seen. We tried out Costco meatloaf instead. I don’t recommend it.   Now it’s time to get a tree. We usually wait till later in the month, but as we’re leaving town (and super busy) we wanted to get one nice and early. The first try to our usual tree farm found it closed. Try two? My son was super sick and home in bed. He told us to go without him. As much as I hated to, we went ahead and did. It wasn’t the same at all.   Now I’m feeling pessimistic while looking at the empty, blank tree while I cram homework in, take care of my sick man-cub and wait for my husband to come back from errands. Will we ever actually DECORATE this sucker!? What is going on with all our holiday traditions this year! Is it just a sign that we’re over-busy? All I know is I don’t like it. en-us Ah, I have had many a year when the pumpkins have remain uncarved. I totally get where you are coming from. I would suggest trying to make an evening of the tree decorating. Set aside an evening, maybe Friday, mull some wine, cider, make some fondue and get to decorating. Whatever you do, enjoy yourself, even if you skip the decorating and head just to the wine. :) http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/creatress/9527/#c_82613 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/creatress/9527/#c_82613 Ah, I have had many a year when the pumpkins have remain uncarved. I totally get where you are coming from. I would suggest trying to make an evening of the tree decorating. Set aside an evening, maybe Friday, mull some wine, cider, make some fondue and get to decorating. Whatever you do, enjoy yourself, even if you skip the decorating and head just to the wine. :) Sounds like time to find some new traditions. ;-) Just kidding...you should be able to find some time to decorate that tree...even if it just has lights on it. http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/creatress/9527/#c_82616 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/creatress/9527/#c_82616 Sounds like time to find some new traditions. ;-) Just kidding...you should be able to find some time to decorate that tree...even if it just has lights on it. hey this year i've noticed alot of handmade signs that advertise "will hang lights" .  maybe you could have a true american holiday and export it!  or maybe an undecorated tree could be the new modern look for trees.  you know so you could focus on the aura of the tree without the distraction of glitz and glitter? http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/creatress/9527/#c_82620 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/creatress/9527/#c_82620 hey this year i've noticed alot of handmade signs that advertise "will hang lights" .  maybe you could have a true american holiday and export it!  or maybe an undecorated tree could be the new modern look for trees.  you know so you could focus on the aura of the tree without the distraction of glitz and glitter? I love that idea. "A blank tree IS the NEW holiday LOOK!" Too great! Leave it to a busy mom to be a trendsetter! I did manage to buy some organic egg nog during a quick store run yesterday. That usually gets us in the mood to decorate. Maybe Friday? http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/creatress/9527/#c_82622 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/creatress/9527/#c_82622 I love that idea. "A blank tree IS the NEW holiday LOOK!" Too great! Leave it to a busy mom to be a trendsetter! I did manage to buy some organic egg nog during a quick store run yesterday. That usually gets us in the mood to decorate. Maybe Friday? You may be 0 and 3 on your holiday traditions, but I think you're batting 100% on your every day family time traditions. You are so inspirational with all the wonderful things you do with your family -- and that you share them with the rest of us to remind us to enjoy the every day things in life. I'm sure as soon as man-cub feels better there'll be a rally of tree decorating -- even if it is just throwing some Fruit Loops on it. http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/creatress/9527/#c_82631 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/creatress/9527/#c_82631 You may be 0 and 3 on your holiday traditions, but I think you're batting 100% on your every day family time traditions. You are so inspirational with all the wonderful things you do with your family -- and that you share them with the rest of us to remind us to enjoy the every day things in life. I'm sure as soon as man-cub feels better there'll be a rally of tree decorating -- even if it is just throwing some Fruit Loops on it. WOW! That is so very kind of you to say Kelli (oh fellow night-owl!) You made my day. I'm sure you're right. I'm feeling positive about getting on that tree this weekend.   http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/creatress/9527/#c_82635 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/creatress/9527/#c_82635 WOW! That is so very kind of you to say Kelli (oh fellow night-owl!) You made my day. I'm sure you're right. I'm feeling positive about getting on that tree this weekend.