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End of excitement gives way to post-holiday blues

By Kelli Robinson | Statesville R&L

Published: January 8, 2009

The holiday season came to a halt at 7:30 on Christmas morning. There was no catastrophic event, just the opening of the final present, leaving my living room buried in shreds of wrapping paper that just 45 minutes prior had covered the gifts beneath the tree. "Home and Garden" would have been proud of my Currier and Ives ambience. They just needed to be here at sunrise to see it.

And so I sarcastically and humorously bowed my head for a moment of silence … and then served donuts. Yes, there was still much to enjoy. Watching my kids play with their new toys, savoring a Christmas dinner with my family, looking forward to the upcoming winter break as an opportunity to reflect and renew. But every year the holiday blues inevitably creep in, this year earlier than usual, because my favorite part of Christmas is actually the insanity that drives the weeks leading up to the holiday itself.

The month before Christmas is a blur of sensory overload, especially when you have kids. It's like a roller coaster ride. So much hype, excitement and anticipation. You cling to the fun as long as possible. But before you know it, you're pulling into the station that marks the end.

Wasn't it just yesterday that I was getting in line for this wild ride we call the holidays? Did the Santa statues stand guard on my bookcases for four weeks or four minutes? Was my daughter's preschool pageant three weeks or three years ago? And how did my friends and I find time to gather for a Christmas party where fun conversation gave way to hilarious Herbie the Elf and Charlie in the Box impersonations by night's end?

Fortunately, my holiday blues were short-lived. As is usually the case, kids don't let you dwell on one subject for too long. No sooner were the empty boxes out the door than my children brought back reality, arguing over personal space and who could make the loudest rude noises with their body.

It's time to send the statues to the attic, because the last thing I need is an army of St. Nick spies witnessing me lose it when my daughter accuses her brother of sitting on her new doll. Thankfully, Christmas is an entire year away. It gives me time to get on the nice list — and get back in line for the ride.