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When I found the perfect holiday gift for my niece several months ago, I began something unprecedented in our household -- shopping early for Christmas. Motivated by my early bird attitude, I dug out last year's post-holiday, 90 percent off bargain wrapping paper and neatly wrapped and stored each brilliant find as it was purchased.

Hubby got into the spirit as well. As a result, we had most of our holiday gift-buying completed by Halloween. We made Bare history. For the first time ever, we beat the holiday rush. No running to the post office on Dec. 23 begging the postmaster for a Christmas miracle that could get an oversized box of presents to the Gulf Coast in less than 24 hours. No last-minute gifts to be purchased on the way to midnight mass.

We stored the Halloween decorations and looked forward to enjoying a relaxing holiday season from Veterans Day through New Year's Eve. And that is about the time I mistakenly tugged on a loose piece of wallpaper in our bathroom. I pulled and peeled until a huge strip -- from the tub, across a wall, around the corner and up to the window -- came down.

Years of loathing the pale, fruity colors and seashell border surfaced all at once. I was innocently tidying the room when I saw the loose edge. I tried to ignore it, but since I was no longer preoccupied with the holidays, I could think of nothing else. My hand moved toward the seam. My fingers grasped the dingy, worn paper. And I yanked.

Once the paper began separating from the wall, I couldn't stop myself. I began pulling and tearing. I tested the seams for loose pieces and pulled again. When I finished, the walls in my bathroom were a mess.

Leaning on the door and reviewing the damage, I rationalized that it was time. The stripped areas would motivate Hubby and me to remove the rest of the outdated wallpaper and paint the walls and trim with fresh, modern colors. Maybe we'd get a new shower curtain. Maybe we'd paint the cabinet and purchase a new mirror, faucet and light fixtures.

Because the holidays are fast approaching, we were prepared to expect the project to take a few months and would let someone else host Christmas Eve this year.

The universe, holding true to its expansive, controlling and ironic characteristics, reverberated the sounds of wallpaper being stripped haphazardly off my bathroom walls toward every household of our extended family. The phone began ringing within hours.

"You are doing Christmas again this year, right?" my brother and sister-in-law questioned emphatically. What could I say? My sister-in-law is expecting and certainly does not need the hassle of entertaining everyone on top of morning sickness, mood swings and cravings.

"That's a possibility," I responded, "But let's not make firm plans this early."

My mother called next, "Dad and I are getting ready to make our reservations for the week of Christmas -- you are hosting, right? I doubt your sister-in-law needs to be traveling down our way in holiday traffic with my new grandbaby on the way!"

"We are thinking about it, Mom."

"Of course you are hosting. I'll make the reservations."

My sister and her family, who live half a continent away, dialed us up next. "Guess what!" she exclaimed. "It has been way too long since we've been home for a traditional Christmas Eve -- we're coming out this year. You are hosting, right?"

I was excited, really. But visions of my disheveled bathroom haunted me as I tried to act thrilled at the proposition. "Yes, of course I'm hosting."

"This is going to be so great. Let me know what I can do to help."

I wanted to suggest that she come a week early and put her decorating skills to work on our bathroom. Instead, I gabbed about how great it will be to actually see everyone open their presents and then reminisced about the old days.

The holiday rush is on again. We must toss the already wrapped presents under the tree and head to the bathroom. Hubby and I will battle the holiday crowds as we search endlessly for the perfect shower curtain. Instead of hitting the jewelry and toy sales, we will hope for a discount on new flooring.

Down to the very last minute, we will be putting the finishing touches on a newly redecorated bathroom while throwing together turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and cookies.

Next year, you can bet that I will hold back the urge to shop early. I will plan ahead and save all the holiday shopping for November and December so as to not end up recklessly redecorating during the busiest time of year.

Micki Bare is a columnist for the Arkansas News Bureau and the Courier-Tribune in Asheboro, N.C., and author of the book, "Relative Expressions." She lives in Asheboro with her husband and three children. Her e-mail address is mickibare@inspiredscribe.com.