Halloween may be my favorite holiday, but it is quickly followed by my two least favorites: Thanksgiving and Christmas. I know what you must be thinking: what a grinch, but please, sympathize with me here. Is it not stressful as all get out? You hurry to buy everyone a thoughtful gift while braving the crowds only to go completely broke in the process and don’t forget the tree! And the ornaments! And have you sent those holiday cards out yet? Hurry! As if the monetary stress and impeding time crunch doom wasn’t bad enough, put your entire family in one spot and see what happens. Some kind of drama always ensues in mine. So that results in anything but holiday cheer.

However, I’ve tried my best to change my attitude this year. It has been a really good year for us, so I figure it is only fair to close it out in the same fashion (or at least attempt to). I am doing all my holiday shopping online this year, relying mainly on Etsy, and restricting my list to only immediate family. Sorry, friends, hope you understand. I’m pretty sure we give you enough alcohol during the rest of the year to make up for any nicely wrapped gift (wink, nudge). I’m also pretty sure our annual holiday party will be put on hold this year because I just do not have time (or funds), which should minimize some stress. Finally, I hope to go artificial this year in terms of my Christmas tree, opting for a more kitschy, fun and low-maintenance feel. For reference, check out my dear friend, Missy’s Christmas habitat.

So let’s hope I am successful. It really does not help that somehow stores have completely bypassed Thanksgiving and are already going full-throttle with Christmas. Uh, seeing Santa, trees and candy canes the day after Halloween really threw me for a loop.

What do you guys think? Do you like the holiday season? How do you manage to keep your sanity?