Holiday and Craft Supply Stores LOVE Me…

Yep, I’ve got a few of these…

As much as I hate to admit it, I could be classified as a hoarder when it comes to Christmas supplies.

We just went into the garage to get our holiday stuff out and the hubs looked at the shopping bags scattered next to his neatly stacked bins.

And I knew that he knew.

He looked at the bags, and swiveled around to stare at me. “Really?? You hit the after-Christmas sales again? Don’t we have enough wrapping stuff.”

And I’m thinking: Is that a trick question? I mean, can you ever have TOO MUCH wrapping stuff? I mean, that’s like asking me if I have too much yarn.

Dont get me started… You see, I’ve got two of these ottoman things…

Pretty, no?

[And YES, they’re both for yarn storage.]

Hmmmm… After looking at those photos and studying the final count from my garage…

Holy cowbell, I’m a hoarder!

I can’t believe it. I’m not even a shopper! But those craft stores call me… Especially after Christmas with those “buy one, get one free” sales. I mean, who isn’t a ho’ for yarn and Christmas cuteness?

To be fair, as I ponder my holiday stash, I think some of it should be put down to forgetfulness rather than hoarding.

When he we unpacked the Christmas stuff from the garage, I found scads of things I’d forgotten about:

• 39 boxes of Christmas cards
• 11 stockings (there’s three of us)
• 22 rolls of wrapping paper
• 9 things of tissue paper (the jumbo kind)
• 3 jumbo packs of Scotch tape
• And FINALLY colored lights for the tree (I got them in the after-Christmas sale).

As I always tell the Hubs: At least we won’t run out.
His answer: We could invite the entire block to wrap and not run out.

[I think that depends on how many presents they bring over. I’m just sayin’.]

But every year when we decorate for the holidays, I’m forced to face the stark truth: I’d be crushed by my mess if I hadn’t married the King of Organization.

And don’t even get me started on holiday cards.

First of all, Hanukkah come early this year and jacked me up with all my Jewish pals. But usually I get in before the rush and send out some Thanksgiving gratitude cards. (p.s. That didn’t happen either.)

To be perfectly honest, I find holiday cards to be a huge challenge. 

Mine don’t usually go out until late December (we call them New Year’s cards). And in really bad years, they’re called Valentines. (Except that one really terrible year… That year I had St. Patrick’s day “hellos.”)

But eventually they all get out.

At least this year, I started my baking on time. I’ve got almond roca and fudge cooling their jets in some tins, and four batches of gluten-free sugar cookie dough in the freezer. Sprinkles are on the menu from now to New Year’s as I inaugurate Babykins into the family Baking Hall of Fame.

Soooooo….are you shuddering right now or nodding your head in agreement? Are you that person I aspire to be — an organized soul? Where are YOU in your holiday prep? Enquiring minds always want to know these things here at More Cowbell!

~ Jenny