christmas-1812881_1920A quick confession: inside our house the Christmas lights stay up all year. We don’t turn them on until the days get shorter, but we don’t take them down either. My husband and I love the Christmas season so much that we want to be ready when the season arrives. We’ve also come to realize that we have almost no free time between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year – I love celebrating Christ, spending time with family, and thousands of twinkle lights. I hate the fact that I barely have any time for my novel. (But I love all the reasons I don’t accomplish anything!)

I don’t know about you, but here are my top ten Christmas distractions:

  1. Black Friday. I introduced my hubby to Black Friday, and it’s quickly become one of his favorite times of the year. We don’t push and shove; we just enjoy the excitement, the great deals, and a unique annual event.
  2. Christmas movies. I love the magic of The Santa Clause (1, 2, and 3) starring Tim Allen. And White Christmas. And Grumpy Cat’s Christmas Movie (give it a try – you might like it). I devote hours to enjoying these movies.
  3. Non-traditional Christmas movies. Little Women and While You Were Sleeping. Every year.
  4. Chex Mix. My mom used to fill a five gallon tub with Chex mix every Christmas. I don’t make quite as much, but I’m a big fan of buffalo-flavored and taco-flavored Chex mixes (and so is the hubs).
  5. Sugar cookies. I don’t make these every year because they’re so labor intensive, but they are soooo fun! And time consuming.
  6. Other Christmas treats. My husband’s favorite snacks aren’t actually cookies: cathedral windows, chocolate-covered peanut butter Ritz sandwiches, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch almond bark need to make an appearance each year.
  7. Christmas parties. This year I’m throwing an Elf party, and we also have the company Christmas party, and parties thrown by the organizations we support.
  8. Friends’ Christmas. Those people in your life who’ve supported you through everything – you can’t celebrate the season without enjoying some time with them.
  9. Family Christmas. It goes without saying – we love spending the day giving, eating, and chatting.
  10. Celebrating the Savior. Though we know that Jesus was born in the fall, this season has become a time to remember and celebrate our Lord’s birth. We don’t miss the chance to join our church family to honor Him.

Somewhere in there we also have to eat, sleep, and work. I don’t usually enjoy sacrificing my novel-writing time, but it’s hardly a sacrifice during the Christmas season.

Happy writing, and Merry Christmas!