Finally a HO HO holiday

I've been noticing something different this year as we approach christmas; a lack of stress. Complaining? No way! As I blogged awhile ago, Sean and I are going to Mexico for christmas(kids are gone, so why not?).The kids decided they would rather have something from Mexico than a gift before christmas, so now I have almost no shopping to do, no wrapping, no big dinner to plan. Oh darn! And I really am enjoying being able to just relax, think about things for the trip and do the things I enjoy about the season, like help with hampers, decorate, bake. The frantic pace is gone; the money stress, the scramble to get it all done and done perfectly is gone...I think I may have to make this a new tradition!! Or something close at least--it is sad that the holiday has become that for me. I can only hope I can remember this feeling, and try to make it happen again in following christmases.