I’m really anxious to be done with Christmas shopping. I stress over what to buy everyone (just like you, Suze). Our budget doesn’t allow me to purchase THAT perfect gift for everyone. So I try to find the perfect “inexpensive” gift which I swear does not exist. But still, I try.

I was at Ta*rget today, looking for something for a one month old boy (who had 5 baby showers so he’s not really needing anything) and a 9 month old boy (who is my nephew and I haven’t spoken to my SIL since DS was born). I found myself wondering up and down the aisle looking for that perfect gift. Logically I KNOW I won’t find it. But for some reason, I keep searching and searching. Why can’t I just come to accept that the perfect gift just doesn’t exist? Why can’t I settle for anything less? It’s not just the kids, but everyone on my list. I just hate this part of the holiday.

My perfectionism doesn’t stop at finding the perfect gift, I’m also completely preoccupied with our holiday card picture. You know, where should we have them done? Should we do it ourselves? What should we wear? Should we do the whole family, or just the kids? How many will I need? What if I forget to send one to someone and I offend them? What if I can’t find clothes that match? Should we wear holiday colors, or just “normal” colors? What if the kids won’t cooperate? And darn, I wish Phia would let me get her bangs cut (or would keep a ponytail in).

See, is this normal? And if it is, I think we should all make a pact that it just doesn’t matter. We should all agree to take one shot, on a particular day, wearing whatever it is we happen to have on, and there won’t be any judgement as to what kind of family we are for not having the perfect outfit, the perfect hair, the perfect smile, you know, the perfect family. Can we make this pact? Can we, can we? Huh, huh?