The clock is ticking down and it’s time to fret… or is it? Often we begin our days wondering:
- Are we ready?
- Do we have gifts purchased equally and wrapped beautifully?
- Is there food to eat?
- Is there entertainment?
The thing is — it doesn’t really matter if we don’t get mom’s mincemeat cookies made this year.
The outside lights don’t need to be hung.
The stockings can be lying on the floor with nothing inside – Nada – not even coal…
And still Christmas will come.
Here’s how to get through it all in a simple and joyous manner:
1. Ask
Yes, it’s that simple. Ask your children, siblings, parents and friends what it is they want. Their answers might surprise and they will certainly relieve you. You now have a valid list to work from. You may not get them just what they asked for but you have an idea of what direction to go.
2. Tell
Yes, another simple suggestion. Tell the people who shop for you want you want. You will take pressure off them and allow them to get you something that you really want. My aunt told me a few years ago that she loved the calendars I sent to her but didn’t have a place to hang them. What she wanted instead was second-hand paperbacks. She loved mysteries and this way new and different authors would cross her path!
Wow, she opened a door for me to go to garage sales all year-long. I found out that if you send a box full of paperback books (which I did throughout the year) via Media Mail, the cost is totally affordable. (Remember, just media, nothing else for this price.)
3. Give
This simple tip is the essence of the season. Give of yourself. Give cards or cookies. It doesn’t matter what you give, it’s the act of connecting. Now more than ever it’s so wonderful to get a card in the mail or a make a phone call to someone ‘just because’.
4. Allow
Allow yourself time to feel the specialness of the season. And if you find some sadness pop up, allow that too. The holiday season is full of memories of people who are no longer in our lives. Give yourself time to go to that place and remember them from long ago. Remember, their presence in your world helped make you what you are today – in one way or another. Watch inspiring videos or songs that lift your heart and remind you of the beauty in our world.
5. Move
Be kind to yourself and move. Take a walk, find some steps, do some squats, reach and stretch. And breathe. Tis the season for platters of cookies, bowls of dip, plates filled with appetizers and glasses bubbling with tasty concoctions. We talk, eat, drink and at the end of the day we feel larger than life. Time in motion is the best time of all. We’re so good about giving time to others but rarely make time for ourselves. But that’s going to change – isn’t it?
Last tip of all — Go easy on yourself and allow time for true interaction with someone who needs to talk. That’s the best gift of all, isn’t it?
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wonderful post! It goes along with the class I’m teaching right now..from the book called: Unplug the Christmas Machine. Your ideas we ones have presented to the class for discussion. (plus a couple new ones I may pass along if it’s ok) We do so need to pick and choose what is important to us in this season; this season that “begins” in October. 😦 Thanks again.
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oops…..should say: your ideas are ones we have presented…
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Wonderful post. Makes me feel good just reading it 🙂
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and New year.
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Thanks Ann! Hope you are enjoying this special time of year!!
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Thanks for the comments and for incorporating my tips into your class. It takes a strong person to follow tradition and unplug the Christmas machine. I think that guilt is tied into the excessive spending as well. One more gift will PROVE my love (loyalty, friendship, etc.) when all we really want is to gather together with friends and family.
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I am enjoying time with friends, and grateful for God’s blessings.
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I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! Come to my blog to see the post! Congratulations!
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