I have been extremely Scroogey this year.
As in, whenever a Christmas song comes on, I make a face and then change the station.
As in, I haven’t decorated my house for Christmas… at all.
As in, I’ve done all my shopping online because the thought of stepping foot into a store or a mall right now makes me break out in hives.
Merry Christmas you filthy animal…
I think it’s due to the stress from being sick/having surgery and the subsequent game of catchup that has been haunting me since the day I was discharged from the hospital. Add some drama happening with people near & dear to me and medical bills that KEEP ON COMING (seriously, they’re never going to stop, are they?), and you have The Grinch herself, in all her holiday hatred glory.
It’s not that I hate Christmas, it’s just that if this time of the year hits you when you’re not prepared, it can become a giant ball of stress, attached to a chain on your size 10 foot. And guess who wasn’t prepared?
This girl.
I know what I need! A Christmas party that’s not a Christmas party! A new holiday, perhaps? A… Festivus for the rest of us!
Some friends and I got together the other night to eat, play games, and laugh until we almost wet our pants. We didn’t listen to Christmas music or watch a Christmas movie, and the only Christmasy thing there was Cio’s baby Christmas tree, looking very Charlie-Brown-esque in the corner.
And I loved it. There’s nothing better than getting together with some girlfriends, playing a 90′s version of Scattergories, and laughing so hard beer squirts out of your nose to release the tension and bad feelings in your life.
Cio & her super-cute haircut… and Charlie Brown!
Kayleigh being hilarious.
Kathleen from Kapachino being skeptical.
Cio: “The category is… ‘Meg Ryan movies.’”
Kayleigh: “Kate & Leopold!”
Cio: “Nope. Think 90′s. And earlier.”
Kayleigh: “When Harry Met Sally!”
Cio: “There you go!”
The Kathleen&Kayleigh team! (Can we just TALK about how cute Cio’s apartment is?!)
Cio: “The category is… ‘Things On Your Desk.’”
Lauren & Katie: “Paper! Pens! Stapler!” (Etc.)
*time’s up*
Cio: “You missed ‘Inbox’ & ‘Outbox.’”
Kayleigh: “Not an email inbox & outbox. The things they were NAMED AFTER. You know, for REAL MAIL.”
The Lauren&Katie team! (Katie is a non-blogger & non-Tweeter. GASP. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO LINK TO??)
Arrested Development was quoted excessively… surprisingly, it got funnier each time.
“COME ON!!”
Also, we ate the best cake in the history of mankind: Italian Cream Cake. YUM.
Festivus (for the rest of us… I can’t stop saying that) was exactly what I needed. Thanks to Cio for hosting it (and for making this and this – AMAZING!).
So, in lieu of Christmas cards, I found an awesome site that did the work for me (via {cosmo}Politician). Enjoy!
… and a Happy New Year!
Comments on Since I didn't make Christmas cards…
From Cio:
Annyong! I had a great time too. You girls never fail to entertain me. lolz Thanks to PW the party was a success. A Festivus Miracle!
We MIGHT have to make this a tradition. : )
also: heeeeeyyyyyyy brother……..something’s going on with your blog…I think it has a bad case of dandruff.
From Tabaitha:
Did ya’ll air your grievances? We do a festivus as well every year. My husband is a huge Seinfeld fan.
From Katherineb:
Okay, one question… Why was I not inbitted?!??
P.s. Loved the clip from “Home Alone” ;)
From Crystal:
haha i do the same thing with the radio. i do not like christmas music.
From Jennifer whetham:
Sweet Lauren,
You are NOT grinchy! I personally like to wait until the last minute for all things Christmas and call myself spontaneous.
I’m so glad you had a girls’ night– your festivus looked really fun. Sigh. Wish I lived in Texas.
Hope you are recovering well and I promise that one day, very soon, the bills WILL stop!
From Jennifer whetham:
And I forgot to say happy holidays! Shame on me. And also that I love eggnog lattes. They really get me in the spirit– golden-sweet deliciousness. So if I’m having trouble feeling Christmassy, I get me one of those suckers.
From Faith:
That card is awesome!
From RootsAndRings:
But I can’t hang that on my fridge…
From Mary:
I turn off Christmas music too! I like it fine, but they play so MUCH of it…
I love your little corner here. I’m a Texas too! Born and raised :).
From Kathleen:
The game was OUTBURST, Lauren. Sheesh, get your outdated board games right. And how about the picture of me and Kayleigh where your beer takes center stage? Appropriate, don’t you think?
From Kyla Roma:
Oh!! More reasons I wish I lived in Texas!
I’ve been anti-Christmas music too, until I found my old indie-Christmas mix yesterday! I’m posting it on monday so (hopefully) being spirited isn’t so hard on all of our ears.
I hope that you’re feeling less scroogey, but it makes me feel better that I’m not the only one who’s not quite in it this year either.
From mary craig:
I AM SO GLAD that I am not alone. You know, my age bracket is filled to capacity with Nov 20something tree-putter-uppers! Ack. “Is your tree up yet” on Dec 1 is the question of the season. I love Christmas…on Christmas. Before that it is just so many tummy aches and shoulder scrunches. Our remedy is “Christmas Vacation”, eating the goodies the thoughtful over-achievers provided for us, and staying in our pjs till three. Shopping will still be there tomorrow. You can get good deals on Christmas Eve.
From Kim Pennell:
My trees are in the car. Trees, you say? Plural? Yes. we live in florida and we have 9 fake trees that usually surround the real one. This year? no real one. I hope we get them up before we get Kate from the airport sunday. Santas: out and decorated (no, santa is NOT gay! I have about a million santas..). there is no where to put the stockings (in a condo with 7 sliding glass doors)
I loved reading this, Laure…don’t stress. You are coming to see us the day AFTER christmas! (well. not ME but I will get to see you!)
love! kimp
From Kim Pennell:
clarification: only 6 trees going up. the other 3 are too tall.
From Kim Pennell:
one more clarification: 3 differing sizes…
From katyhelena:
Sounds like such a fun party!
From lalagt:
how did you embed your Merry Newsinator? I cannot figure it out!?!
I miss parties like yours…I don’t live around any of my close girlfriends. I used to be a Lauren from Texas too – now I’m Lauren living in Oklahoma with parents that moved from TX to Colorado. You’re a great Lauren from Texas! I love your writing!
From Stephany:
This post makes me long for a board game party! I play them a lot with family but there’s something a little crazier than doing it with a bunch of girl friends. Also, if you played Outburst like Kathleen said, so jealous! That’s one of my most favorite games!
From Suburban Sweetheart:
So cute. And I love me some Kevin McAllister.
From Erin:
Awww, looks like so much fun! :)
From E.P.:
Aww, that looks like it was so much fun!
From HoustonGurly:
Sounds like you guys had fun. Sometimes it’s nice to just hang out with your besties. :)
From Kelly:
Honestly, I can’t wait for January. Christmas is way more stress than is necessary.
Glad you guys had fun!
From Andee Nero:
Katie Smith INDEED does blog.
kateography.tumblr.com
ha.
xoxo
andee nero
From Samantha:
Oooh, that party looks like it was a lot of fun! I could use one of those. :)