Christmas Chaos, Mom Style :: An Original Poem
An original poem for the moms who are doing their best this holiday season.
Christmas is approaching,
and time is moving fast too.
It’s all hustle and bustle,
lists growing longer than I ever knew.
And honestly?
This mom just wants to rest —
to put her feet up for one quiet moment
and hope the world understands the request.
a small victory in itself —
but not a single decoration hangs,
no ornaments, no garland,
just sparkly decor waiting on the shelf.
First, I have to clean the living room,
clear the clutter, tame the mess,
because nothing can be festive
until I’ve conquered this domestic test.
Then finally — finally — the stockings will be hung,
and hot cocoa will be made.
But I’m off to a late start this year,
and I’ll admit,
I’m a little afraid
that I’m already behind
in a season that moves at its own wild pace.
But somehow moms make it happen —
with grit, caffeine, glitter,
and grace.
Thank goodness for online shopping,
and those packages left right at my doorstep —
one less headache,
one less thing to worry over or fret.
And I’m forever grateful
my teen has outgrown that elf
I had to move daily
off that mischievous little shelf.
Honestly, whose idea was it
to get three anyway?
Three tiny elves that needed costumes,
plots, pranks,
and performances every single day?
Now I wander through closets
hoping to find wrapping paper
left from Christmases past,
praying there’s enough to cover the mountain
of gifts accumulating fast.
All for one magical morning
of tearing, ripping, opening —
and the inevitable return
to another glorious Christmas mess,
which somehow warms my heart
more than I care to confess.
Cute sweaters and dresses have been bought
so I can sparkle and shine
at all the holiday parties I said yes to
back when I thought
I had nothing but time.
And somewhere between
baking cookies for school,
signing gifts for teachers,
and remembering every last detail,
I remind myself:
This chaos is fleeting.
This season is special.
This work — though messy — is love made visible.
So here’s to moms everywhere
doing their best,
running on hope, humor, and hot chocolate,
trying to create magic
while dreaming of a long winter’s rest.
Because Christmas may be chaos —
a whirlwind, a marathon, a beautiful mess —
but it’s ours.
And year after year,
we somehow turn it
into joy.
