A Few Of My Favorite Things

As I walked at the mall this morning I suddenly got excited for the Christmas season. All of the decorations are up and the music was playing and it made me so anxious for my favorite time of year. And then I started thinking about all the prep work I've already done, figuring out what everyone wants, making the few homemade gifts I'm giving this year, finding the best price on the Hide & Seek Care Bear, etc, and it made me realize that moms tend to get completely hosed during the holiday season. Don't get me wrong, we get hosed all year long but it seems to ring especially true at Christmas. Thing about your own personal to-do list for the next 8 weeks. It probably goes something like this: buy coordinating outfits for kids, take pictures of kids in coordinating outfits, buy supplies to make homemade cards, make cards to put pictures in, buy Christmas gifts for family, friends, husband's family and friends, wrap gifts, decorate house, make treats for neighbors, find stocking stuffers, buy gift for kids' teachers, help organize various holiday programs, keep house sparkling clean for unexpected visitors stopping by to spread holiday cheer, shop, make pies, bake, bake, bake, shop, take kids to visit Santa, drive through neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights, keep track of holiday spending budget and stay on target, shop, shop, bake, bake, bake....you get the idea. My husband's list? Put tree in house, hang outside lights.

Thinking of all of this made me realize that we moms need to take charge and put our needs out on the table and by that, I mean our own Christmas lists. As a reward for year-long hosedom culminating with one gigantic Hosing Spectacular, I think we should be able to say what we'd like for Christmas and not feel guilty about it. So in the spirit of raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, here are a few of my favorite things:

1. IPOD-I thought I'd start off high but as an avid music lover, I get teased for not having one and I think it's time. I don't care which one it is but I would love for it to be from
Product(red).
2. New kitchen towels and pot holders in red, green or black. Mine are hammered and it's getting a wee bit embarrassing passing out food to guests in mits covered with funk.
3. New dishes-I'm particularly fond of the Homestead Dinnerware collection from athomeamerica.com. They come in three different colors and I would like some in each color.
4. Yoga Mat-each morning I do pilates on an old, scratchy blanket and while it works, I would love an actual mat. Plus, whenever I find myself in Downward Facing Dog, the smell of my old musty blanket makes me want to wretch.
5. Gift certificate to Craft Warehouse-I can always find something I want there and I love to shop with other people's money.
6. With Love perfume by Hilary Duff. I know, I can't believe it's by her either but I love the smell.
7. Costco Olive Oil-I know this seems odd but I can never seem to justify spending $22 on oil but I use it in my cooking daily and would love that big beautiful glass jug.
8. Eucalyptus and Spearmint hand soap from Bath & Body Works-I have some in my kitchen and LOVE IT so I want some for the whole house.

There. I feel better. No guilt at all for putting it out there. A small twinge of concern about sounding like a greedy troll, but no guilt. This list was originally intended for my family but if you feel the need to put a little some'in some'in under the tree for me, by all means. I'll do the same for you.