If the 1st January is the start of a new year, fresh beginnings, campy resolutions, intentional promises and shaky gym memberships, the 1st of December represents the last ditch effort to give all of these things a go. Just knowing that we have one more month to aim high and finish with a flourish, makes December smell better than the rest. Moreover, with Christmas and my birthday in the mix, December is not up for debate as the best month of the year. Fight me.

Now arguably, what we need to pay attention to is that 2020 has been a strange one what with a pandemic, lockdowns, swarms of locusts and even a dead body joyriding to his own funeral here in my land.* (Is Trinidad a real place? Jah boy, who knows yes🙄😒) . December may very well be a slow crawl with us crossing fingers and praying for an end to the crazy when the clock strikes midnight on the 31st. However, I maintain that even while you expect the worst, you can still hope for the best. This year we have lost so much in terms of people (RIP to Rona victims, Kobe, Trebek and Maradona) and things (my sanity while teaching & homeschooling), it may be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But you know something? The point of a tunnel is that you do eventually get out on the other side however long it may be.😉

This December I am really trying my best to scale down my Christmas prep as excited as I am for the season. It’s hard though, every suggestion I make to the hubby is either met with a raised eyebrow or a half smile which is his version of “you mad yes, smh” or “ok dear”. I already issued fair, advanced warning to the gremlinz to chop their Christmas lists in quarter (not half) as with Ms Rona still palancing, we need to save the coins as much as possible. Not to mention that IF school opens in January, money needs to be spent on covid protection, uniform, shoes, bookbags, lunchkits, preschool fees and allowances (not books, which they already have thank God). The idea of back-to-school spending in December with Christmas AND my 40th coming up is realllll trauma for me (and my bank card) and is low-key the second reason (the first is obvious) that I need school to remain closed….at least until February, I ain’t go lie. That January guava season will be reallll severe.

Still, we keep it positive right? I’m grateful that I can re-use my seasonal home items and although I will miss my Christmas shopping buddies and our outings, I can afford to make do with what I have. If there is anything I do need to get, I will be avoiding all the stores with the word “Home” in their names and patronizing as much local, small businesses as I can, particularly for gifting purposes. One good thing is that this movement picked up steam this year and I am so here for it! I honestly wish I could buy most of the quality products I’m observing but again…meh coins could only stretch so far😭.

So yes, it’s December! Let’s welcome it with hope and joy! Whether you are on #teamcaution or #teamYOLO still buss ah dance nah!!

How are you preparing for this final stretch of 2020? What are you looking forward to the most this season? Let me know in the comments below!

Blessings

TMIDM