On Christmas Perfection

(Image via Popwatch)

On the Christmas episode of “The Simpsons” this week, Marge prayed to the almighty Martha for the “perfect Christmas,” something she had never been able to create or have with her rowdy family and less-than-chic home. Martha Stewart guest stars, lending her voice to her 2D self in order to fulfill the magical Christmas wish that Marge has requested.

You’ll have to watch the episode, but it turns out, the perfect Christmas doesn’t exist. Even when Martha Stewart is on your side.

I love design and DIY blogs and magazines as much as the next girl, but I have to wonder if we’re creating a new avenue for the standard of perfection that isn’t attainable for most people. I can’t help but feel shame when my DIY quilts turn out wonky, or when my macaron technique is still not perfected, when my favorite bloggers are able to create magical, Pottery Barn replicas and macarons that rival Pierre Hermé’s own.

DIY is supposed to be empowering. It’s supposed to make you feel accomplished, and less alienated from the products in your home. “I made that!” is a declaration that isn’t supposed to be followed with shame and a disapproving nose scrunch. That fact that I avoid posting on my blog when a project goes wrong … that’s a problem. I’ve spent every day of my Christmas break doing something creative, yet I’m incapable of being proud. There’s something wrong with this picture.

I was thrilled to read Delia’s post about her disappointment in her Christmas projects. Some things didn’t turn out the way they were supposed to. I get it. But look at how much she got done! I am super impressed, and happy that she posted about her “failures”! I would love to see the “cool kids” of the DIY blogging world post some of their failures … just to remind everyone that the Martha Stewart Christmas doesn’t exist, at least not in it’s entirety.