On My Mind: A Christmas-Party Psychosis
My Strategist Brain comes due every November, so I think it’ll be my tradition to discuss my annual holiday party. After all, it does take up a lot of my brain this time of year. Three days ago, I was talking through a few decorating upgrades I’d like to make — stringing garlands and lights on the foyer ceiling, mostly — with my best friend Tiff and how it might be a challenge because I’m working through a tough health condition that makes me dizzy (more on that later). The thing is, I explained, “I have to do everything myself because people don’t have the right visual sensibilities.” The response: “You’re sounding so psychotic right now.” Tiff’s right, of course. We had just talked about how I would take it easy this year: decorate with things I can place rather than hang, not go fully neurotic about spacing and angles. But I am in party psychosis. As such, there’s an enchanted-Christmas-forest ceiling-scape with irregularly spaced pine cones, greenery sprigs, and string lights draped at 60-to-30-degree angles living in my head. I might not — probably won’t — be able to translate these thoughts into real life this year. But a host can dream. And plan. And maybe even try.
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These fall into the acceptable category, according to Tiff. I can easily hang them from hooks in my windows. One thing I learned from last year was that I am generally too focused on having all my greenery be natural. That’s driven by the fact that I’m a Real Tree Truther. But after experiencing the weight of a real wreath last year and how deadly difficult it is to hang (if you’re doing so from a wall and don’t want the hook to show), I don’t think all the greens need to be real pine. I like the deep red ribbon on these too.
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Stockings are also in the easy decorating category. I love the rich emerald of these. One hiccup — my New York apartment does not have a fireplace, so I’m not sure where to hang them. Any suggestions?
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One more in the chill category: a not-that-Christmasy table runner.
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Okay, that being said, I will have at least one real wreath, and I always get my greenery from Farmgirl Flowers. It’s great for a few reasons. First, the wreath I got last year lasted almost a month, even in the dry heat of my radiator-heated apartment. As it dried out, it still looked beautiful because it had an assortment of greens, including eucalyptus, that naturally look nice dried. And the company is reliable. Party Crystal gets really serious about timetables and deliveries, and Farmgirl hasn’t failed me yet.
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Yam Session
I may splurge on one bouquet for the food table as well. This one says holiday without going too far, and I love peonies. I get the rest of my flowers from Trader Joe’s and arrange them the morning of the party.
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On the ceiling, I like these faux cedar garlands from Joss & Main. As I said about the wreath earlier, real evergreen needles and greenery are very heavy. (I hung a real pine garland over a doorway last year and almost lost it.) The feathery look of this works with my enchanted forest idea too.
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Host Helper
Why did it take me so long to learn of these angels? I think the reason I’m always so focused on the decorations is that they’re the things that last. The party itself, I really don’t remember. Open door, hang coat, direct guest to bar. Refresh food table, collect dirty dishes, wash if necessary. Hosting means not really enjoying the event. It’s a fugue state, really. But I poked around for help this year and found this service that sends a person to take on some of these tasks. I didn’t know you could hire a person to just … help. The booking process is pretty easy: Just be ready with the details of your event and what things you’ll need assistance with. Pricing starts at $65 per hour, which is reasonable compared with other services or hiring on your own. I’ll report back on how it works out. I’m optimistic about being able to store memories of the party this year.
Everything else I’ve been testing lately
I’m not really a person who relaxes, meaning my relaxation time is spent either sleeping or reading. But with my new health condition, stress and visual strain exacerbate the dizziness, so relaxation has taken on newfound importance.
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Steam Eye Mask
These disposable heated masks are saving me. I have pretty severe eye strain. These ease that in a few minutes and help me get on with things a little faster. The warmth is just the right temperature.
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Cloud Nectar
I was sent this bath foam, and my new chilling-is-important attitude made me actually try it. It’s expensive, so I’m flagging here more as a potential gift for that fancy mom or aunt who is really into her soaks. The lather is extremely rich, and the floral fragrance is beautiful but unassuming and lingers on both your skin and (lightly) on your sheets.
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‘Say Good Night to Insomnia’
Lastly, sleep is a priority right now, so I’m trying this book that uses cognitive behavioral therapy to improve it. I actually saw it recommended by one of our readers in the comments of a Strategist story.
More From The Strategist
- The Best Advent Calendars This Year (So Far)
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- Hark, the Advent Calendars Arrived (Very) Early This Year
- 63 Things You Should Never Buy Full Price
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