Hey, Christmas is coming!!!

I'm sure you've all noticed how not only are all the holidays large commercialized festivals, but now they all crowd in on each other, so we barely have time to catch a breath.

Cupid came in on Santa's sleigh, and he hasn't even finished slinging his arrows around, and already the bunnies are filling the store aisles. There used to be a bit of a lull after Easter, but now Easter comes along with a flurry of patriotism – maple leaf flags on mugs, cups, hats and beer coolers for Canada Day, and the stars and stripes on similar items for Independence Day.
And then, sometimes before school is actually out, the wooden rulers and posters of shiny apples proclaim the back to school sales. Quickly followed by turkeys, ghosts and goblins, with Santa bringing up the rear, dragging cupid behind him.......

The solution to all this is to rise above it, stay out of shopping malls, don't watch TV commercials, drop newspaper flyers directly in the recycling bin - slow down and enjoy the season you're in. Don't get all crazy about what's coming around the corner – enjoy the now.

EXCEPT, if you've gone all handicrafty, antispending, I'll make my own presents, so there.

Which sounds like such a good idea unless you're like me - rich in ideas but impoverished when it comes to time. In that case, you need to think about Christmas 2007 now. In fact, you need to do more than think. All those knitting magazines seducing you with summer knits, breezy tank tops, lacy shawls? Put them away. Dig out the warm wool and cast on for all those mittens, scarves, socks and sweaters which you plan to give as presents next Christmas.

Otherwise, you may find yourself in this situation:


February 19, 2007.

Scarf intended to be a present – no, not for Christmas 2006.
Worse.
A birthday.
In November 2006.
See those sharp metal things sticking out?
Yup. Still not finished.
This may not seem so tragic to those of you out east, but we already have crocuses and the daffs are poking up.

By the time the recipient gets this scarf, she will have absolutely no need for it.

Oh, and another thing. When making a scarf for a person, do NOT ask them how long they like scarves. They will always say “LONG, if you don't mind”. And then you will slowly go crazy knitting a very long, late scarf.

(Scarf details will be posted when I complete the sucker. Soon. I hope)