Thanksgiving seems to merge right into a very busy season with shopping, parties, travel or guests. Are you taking care of everyone else trying to do more while neglecting yourself? We can easily get passively pulled into a sense of hurry to do what others expect. We lose our sense of peace and joy by doing too much. Perhaps it is time to clearly define expectations what you want your Christmas to be like. Here are some tips to keep things simpler.
Shopping
How many gifts are enough? Setting a budget is helpful as well as the number of gifts. Families wanting to simplify ask their loved one for a list of four things: what they want, need, wear, and read. Shopping is always easier with lists!
It can be challenging to buy for others. If you like to pick something so it is more personal than a gift card, here are some stores with easy return policies:
Electronics: Best Buy
Discount Warehouse: Costco
Home Maintenance: Home Depot, Lowes
Household furnishings: Ikea
Outdoor Gear and Apparel: Lands End, L. L. Bean, Orvis
Gathering
When do you want to do your family’s gift exchange? Christmas Eve? Christmas morning? It might be smart to set a different day for adult children and grandchildren who have their own celebration and have other parents/grandparents to visit. The season of Christmas continues 12 days after December 25th and some cultures exchange gifts to bless the New Year on the 31st, others give presents on January 6th the day the Magi (3 Wise Men) presented gifts to the Christ child.
You may consider in lieu of a formal sit-down dinner to make it simple yet special menu that will be ready to be served when the crowd wants to eat. A morning open house can be nut-nog smoothies with gluten-free muffins (add chocolate chips!), fruit salad and pumpkin pie. A lunch or dinner have ready made veggies and dips, soup in a crockpot or Instant Pot, salad and Christmas Cookies.
There is comfort in rituals and traditions and it can seem awkward to change what’s been done in the past. It is ok to plan how you want your holidays to be celebrated, give yourself grace for things that don’t go as planned. Remember to keep eating healthy and regular exercise in your routine, and schedule quiet time to relax and reflect on the reason for the season.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: He is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger. Luke 2:11-12
Read More:
Home Remodeling Projects That Give the Most Joy
Smart Charitable Giving
Holiday Nut Nog
SINCE 1979