8 Things Every Mom Should Know About the Holiday Season..

In years past, I've been known to act like a total Christmas fiend. I will admit, I love this time of year. I've had my tree up for weeks and my neighbors have asked me to turn down the Christmas carols on several occasions this month. What can I say, I love the holiday season.

But despite my Christmas spirit, the realist in me can't help but shake my head at the tizzy people--myself included at times--get themselves into over the minute details of the season. So for all your moms in the throes of holiday shopping and holiday party prepping, here are some things to remember.

1. People throw your holiday cards in the trash. I love sending them out as much as you, but let's face facts. Very few people hold onto those things. Maybe the grandparents hoard them in a drawer, but the vast majority of people who receive them will trash them in the new year. The takeaway? Don't agonize over the "perfect" card. They all end up the same place anyway.

2. It goes away. The "it" of course is the holiday season. In three short weeks, it will just be cold, depressing winter and that's it. The cheer will be gone. So yes, you should enjoy this time while it lasts, but don't make it completely miz by stressing over everything little thing.

3. Your kid will forget everything in approximately 4 days. Right now all my daughter can think about is when it will be Christmas. She probably doesn't even remember what the day entails, but she knows it's a "special day." On Christmas, she'll unwrap her gifts, be totally happy and play with her new toys. 3 days later, she'll remember nothing.

4. Stores are trying to make you overspend--resist! It's a recession people! Just because you get a free travel bag when you purchase $300 worth of makeup doesn't mean you--or anyone on your holiday shopping list--need it. There's nothing worse than standing in return lines the days after Christmas, so do yourself a favor and don't get suckered into buying things you don't need in the first place.

5. 3 gifts can be just as good as 30. Don't believe me? Just try it. I promise your kid will be just as happy with 3 awesome gifts as he/she would be with a ton of so-so gifts. Even better, you won't go bankrupt and you won't stress yourself out trying to "pad" the bottom of the tree.

6. You don't have to buy a gift for everyone you know. Yes, this is the season of giving, but that doesn't mean you should get everyone you've ever met in life a gift. I actually think it's better to keep gift lists pretty meager and focus on getting special presents for those people who really mean something to you. And your mother-in-law, too.

7. The world won't end if you don't get your kid a LeapPad. In case you missed the memo, it's basically impossible to get your hands on a Leapfrog LeapPad Explorer at this point. Some stores claim they will have them in stock in the days before Christmas, but you can never really be sure. The good news? Life will still go on even if your kid doesn't get one this year.

8. It's not about you anymore. The sad truth about Christmas after kids is that it's all about them from here on out. Sure dad may come through with a beautiful pair of earrings or that crockpot you'd been asking for, but they'll just pale in comparison to your daughter's Fijit Friend. Sorry.

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