We didn’t do cards last year because I was 9 months pregnant for the whole month of December, and I was too tired with too many other things going on. This year we are going to do photo cards for the first time, with our daughter. Now if my husband’s cold sore would just go away, we could take the picture….

Besides, how much value does a gift really convey if we’re giving it only out of a sense of duty, rather than a genuine desire to make someone else happy?

I stopped mid store and made a decision. The specialty items went back to the shelves and coolers and I only kept the staples I needed from the list. I didn’t bake cookies at all that year — not even my favorites. Christmas still came and was full of delightful surprises and seasonal treats — just not plates of mine.

This year might be different. I’m starting to feel like baking again. Maybe two kinds but not five. Maybe a double batch of something while I have everything out. Because I want to and it sounds like fun again.