I love December. It’s probably my favourite month. I love the over the top decorations, the Christmas music being played everywhere you go, the general cheeriness that comes from people in the run up to the big event.
But this year there is something that is nagging away in the back of my mind. As my 3 year old excitedly runs around looking for his Elf on the Shelf each morning and then scurries off for his advent pressie, it’s dawning on me that at some point we’re going to have to face the Christmas Comedown!
January is a bit miserable when you’re an adult but I’m really not looking forward to facing it with a toddler.
More frustratingly I know a lot of the comedown is going to be my fault!
Whilst it may have been a lovely idea to have a home-made advent calendar filled with a daily treat, the 3 year old now thinks it’s the norm to get a present every single day. This hasn’t been helped by a mid November birthday where the little man was spoilt rotten with gifts. It’s becoming a bit too common to hear “mummy, I want a present!” or even worse “I want another present!” He isn’t going to be happy when he realizes there’s no more presents coming his way for another ten months!
Since hitting December we have also been out a little bit more than normal which means bedtime has been pushed back a few too many times. I really should know better than to mess with the routine, although with everyone off work from Friday I fear this will get worse before it gets better. “5 more minutes Mummy” which often turns into 15, or sometimes a little bit more!
But what I’m dreading the most come the 26th December is the loss of my biggest bargaining tool. Yep, Father Christmas!
Surely I’m not the only one who’s said (a bit too often, if I’m honest) that Santa is keeping an eye on their little darling to make sure they’re being a good boy/girl! George our little elf friend has been fantastic at keeping order in our house as all it takes is a whispered “we’d better let George know so he can tell Father Christmas” and my boys an angel!
Once the big day had been and gone, I’ve lost the positive influence that a slightly creepy looking doll can have!
It may all be merriness and Yuletide joy at the moment but the post Christmas hangover is on its way and it’s not going to be pretty. I may be needing a double Gin or two to get through it!
Hehehehe This is so cute, especially the bargaining. I know by that time of the day though its like a big negotiation and then repeating yourself on loop. We’ve been ultra naughty this month and I bet by next week bed time is going to go flying out the window 😀
Notmyyearoff recently posted…Happy 4th Birthday Little Z
I feel your pain Jo! We are also getting great mileage out of ‘Santa’s watching!’ I predict a major decline in behaviour come January!! Brill post lovely xxx
Haha! I hadn’t thought of this. I like January for its return to normalcy, but I can see how a toddler is not going to be as enthusiastic! 🙂
normaleverydaylifeblog recently posted…Turning Your Blog Into a Book
There is a bit of an xmas comedown, for everyone. But maybe plan an extra fun day at the end of January to cheer everyone up?
Californian Mum in London recently posted…Christmas Shopping for Me
This is why I love having a January born child, as as soon as we hit January and the Christmas come down I start to plan and prepare for his birthday! I really helps! I used to hate January. #ShareWithMe
Jo Laybourn recently posted…We Saw Santa………..
I’m dreading that part, too. My daughter’s birthday was in October and she thought she still hasn’t stopped asking for presents! Since then she’s had a few late birthday presents filter in and a few early Christmas gifts…it’s going to be madness. Especially since we have 5 gift exchanges to go to, making for a week of present opening for her! I feel for ya!
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Brandyn Blaze recently posted…You Are Here
Aw don’t dread January! In my experience, kids move on a lot better than we adults do. And they have lots of new toys to play with too remember. Don’t spend time thinking about it yet and if he does struggle, deal with it then x x x x
ghostwritermummy recently posted…Bibee dresses for the party season
Oh yes most definitely Christmas hangover is a nightmare especially with kids. I am lucky my kids can’t have chocolate so therefore no advent here. Their birthday are in the summer so no added spoilness to help. So I am hoping our hangover isn’t as bad but we are the same hate january so we usually always go away somewhere warm for my bday and hubby’s bday. Just to break it up. lol But we aren’t this year so I fear what will january hold this time! EEEK I love you think elf is creepy too. Kinda freaks me out if I stop and think about him. lol Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me and for all the amazing linky support in 2014! I can’t thank you enough. Happy Holidays! #sharewithme
Jenny recently posted…Home Decor: Bringing nature indoors
I don’t use Santas as a bargaining tool very often thankfully but I hope after Christmas the presents and things will stop the comedown being quite so bad! x
Donna recently posted…Our Dream Christmas #DreamingofBoux
Ah yes, that post Christmas comedown. Good luck with getting through it. Think we’ll have fun with that one too – my eldest has the memory of an elephant and still asks for ‘egg’ (Easter egg) after dinner as we had a good few weeks working our way through those and now she’s got used to having ‘button’ (advent calendar chocolate) every morning too! Christmas will probably last a few days for us as I usually keep a few presents back so the girls don’t get too overwhelmed but I suspect we’ll have fun come January! Hope you have a lovely Christmas x
Louise recently posted…The Friday Focus – 19/12/14
Oh lord, I hadn’t really thought of this. Massive eek. H’s birthday is 4th Jan too, I’m bloody doomed. xx
Potty Mouthed Mummy recently posted…Nearly | Word of the Week
The look on that elf’s face made me laugh out loud! I also use Santa as a v useful bargaining tool – don’t think it works as well in January though – eek. January is always a bit of a come down month. Think I may have to invent some sort of fun tradition for my kids for that time of year asI think everyone needs a lift! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas. x #The prompt
Maddy@writingbubble recently posted…festive limericks
I just tell em that Santa Cam is running ALL year long haha
And that Elf IS a bit creepy looking. Might not sleep tonight…
GReat post. X
Confession; I have used the “Santa is watching over you” thing a few times. Here’s hoping Januaruy isn’t a huge come down!
John Adams recently posted…Christmas thoughts, inspired by #ThePrompt
Ah, I hadn’t really thought of this… although as I think about it, I haven’t used Santa as a threat very much, not sure why as it certainly isn’t because their behaviour hasn’t warranted it! I think it will be toughest with the wee girl… she has certainly got the hang of the present idea this year 🙂 I may be joining you for that gin… Good luck! Thank you so much for sharing with #ThePrompt. Have a wonderful Christmas xx
Sara (@mumturnedmom) recently posted…Word of the Week: Relief
You make a good point! I remember last year, Boo was really sad saying goodbye to Marty our elf. And I personally find January dreary, too. Well, we’d best think up some treats to look forward to next month pretty quickly, for us and for them! #ThePrompt
The Reading Residence recently posted…Word of the Week – 19/12/14
Haha. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cancelled Christmas in the past 24 hours. Add that to the texts and phonecalls to Father Christmas and I think you’ll probably be nearing on just about everything I’ve said to my kids today.
Elf on the shelf is a creepy wotnot, isn’t he? It a not something we’ve ever thought about doing, tbh. I’d probably lose him after two nights and then have to come up with some elaborate story about why he was down the back of the sofa.
Great post about the Christmas aftermath. Hope it’s gentle on you x
Chrissie (@rantybeast) recently posted…The Prompt – Nativity
I think every parent on the planet is guilty of using Santa as a bargaining tool in December. I know what you mean though. Really hope you all have a fab Xmas and the comedown isn’t as bad as you think it will be xx
Mummy Tries recently posted…The Year That Was: Highlights of 2014
I was thinking this too! My daughter has a little gingerbread each morning and I just don’t know what she will do on Boxing Day!! Erm, cue lots of distraction!! x
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Laura Evelyn Bee recently posted…Blogmas – 20.12.14
Hello there, I hadn’t even considered this but you are so right! Pre-school have been ramping up Christmas since the first week of November so I am hoping it isn’t a massive anti-climax for little man. We took him to meet Santa today but did threaten to take him back and tell him he’d been naughty when he was very badly behaved later this afternoon! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, and will be joining you in a gin or two I am sure! x #sharewithme
Lystra Maisey recently posted…Chapter 54-Blasting off in Brussels