That was me!!! However, I learnt two important lessons about me and everything else.
1. The world will not end and Christmas will not be ruined if the house isn't 'perfect'.
2. Delegation is not a four-letter word.
I know that it's hard to let go. I know that nobody else will do things exactly as you like. However - Christmas is coming!!!!
Out of everything that you have listed, I think that the most important ones are:
Christmas cards
Christmas presents (not the wrapping, just the buying)
then
Cleaning the kitchen (but only because you wont enjoy the cooking if it isn't)
Delegation is the key. I used to do everything too. Although I didn't cook the Christmas dinner, I had to buy presents for 13 people, and wrap them, and write the cards, and write the cards that we sent to the relatives etc. Plus I had the 'pressure' that in my stitch and craft group, nearly everyone sent handmade cards....(another 13 people!!). One year I had a mini meltdown.... My husband said that he would have done more to help but that I seemed able to cope!!!
For you, I would syn a LARGE sherry/tipple of your choice, take a deep breath, sit down with a paper and pen, and make lists.
For YOU - What bothers you the most??
1. Clean the kitchen. - No-one else will EVER do it to your satisfaction.
2. Split writing the cards - His family and friends? - He writes the cards. Joint friends? - Split the list.
3. Presents - Do you trust ANYONE else to buy the right things? If you are buying on the fly (ie trying to find a 'something' that you don't quite know yet) you have to do it. If you have a list, send out hubby. You still have time to change things if they've messed it up!!!!
4. Wrapping presents - If you have the money, buy gift bags/boxes (I spent quite a lot on these one year and just asked people (Immediate family only!!) to return the bags/boxes. They are currently on their 4th year I think!!! Pound shops seem to have quite a few bags/boxes this year (I think that I'm going to refresh my supplies!!) The presents just need a quick loose, un-sellotaped wrap round of tissue paper (to stop people peeking in the bags!!!).
5. As for the house.... I am slightly ashamed to admit this.... I choose one room (usually our bedroom) as the 'dump-site'. I get some boxes from when shopping (wine boxes/fruit boxes etc) and just give one to hubby. That way, the whole 'I don't know where this/anything should go so I left it' or the 'I know that I tidied up, but I can't remember where I put it, how was I supposed to know that it went there...' conversations don't need to happen. Anything that isn't where I thought it would be, is now in a box (marked XX room).
6. Clothes (and washing/ironing). Decide NOW what everyone will be wearing over Christmas/Boxing day. Make sure that they are cleaned and ironed. Everything else? As it comes!!! Split the washing into loads. Every night, program the machine, add the powder/conditioner, set the temperature. Before bed, leave a note on one load... All hubby then has to do, is put it in the machine and push the 'on' button. It's only a small thing, but it's the first rung on the ladder of delegation and domestication of the male!!!!
As for the ironing (a job I loathe!!) how about an early present from hubby - send it out/get someone in to do it for you???
Whatever happens....TRY TO ENJOY IT - You've only got a year until the next one!!!!!!
Happy Christmas Jaylou!!!!
P.S. Happy Holidays - I do ALL my shopping around Christmas time (both presents and food) with my MP3/ipod on. For me, heavy metal/rap and not 'Christmas songs' are the instrumental to my shop. I do love 'Christmas songs' but I always seem to be hearing the same ones (especially when I'm stuck in a queue and can't escape!!!)