Holiday Cheer

It's hard to beleive that the holidays are the happiest time of year. I am a stress head with lists everywhere and my brain jumping around so much. THe thought of 3 days of getting together with my family and then a 5 hour drive with crabby kids to spend 3 days with L's family... where is the good cheer? I keep thinking that I will stop drinking, and yet the thought of NY without drinking, is not a good thought. Every time I think that the shopping is done... I buy more stuff, and really pay more -$15 - for shipping on pajamas for the boys, quite ridiculous. and yet I could not have been able to buy those pajamas any earlier. THere is really no way I could make that kind of committment before thanksgiving.
So where is the middle ground and where is the fun part of the holidays. Well, I really am trying to stay positive and not be grouchy... I wish that christmas morning was actually at night, the atmophere is so much better, lights on the tree, gas int eh fireplace and I can drink... way more fun. How does the tradition go that you can open presents at night?