Well it's Dec 2nd and the madness has begun. I tried to go shopping at the mall this weekend and boy was that a mistake. Even our small town mall is so packed you can't find a parking space and there are traffic jams trying to get in and out. That's not even mentioning the line ups at the check out. So I'll be shopping in the morning on weekdays from now until after the madness ends sometime in January.
I'm already hearing people complain who are stressed out over the holidays. I just don't get it. You don't have to shop and buy so much, get a bunch of gift cards or treat baskets and be done with your shopping. Do a bit of baking and invite only your best friends over. Do only the bare minimum of activities you don't like and if you find yourself at a party that you didn't want to go to be felt you had to due to some type of obligation put in a show and take off early. If anyone says anything just say you were feeling ill.
I love the holidays! I love buying presents, wrapping presents, and baking. But even if I didn't I'd still love the holidays. I've drastically altered my priorities over the holidays and now I only take in 2 parties or events and spend most of my time with my kids and family. I try to do any baking or present wrapping with the kids to allow them to feel the joy of giving. We build snow people and go sledding. Afterwards we drink hot chocolate and laugh about spills we had on the hill. We play Christmas songs and sing along, watch sappy Christmas movies and snuggle on the couch. Yup we actually do all those things.
Once you realize that no one can make you do anything and you don't have to impress everyone you know with expensive gifts, a tin of homemade cookies is good enough you'll be set free to enjoy the holidays too. Oh, and remember the words, "no, I'm sorry but I can't come, I have plans already" and the holiday season will be a joy for you too.
I'm already hearing people complain who are stressed out over the holidays. I just don't get it. You don't have to shop and buy so much, get a bunch of gift cards or treat baskets and be done with your shopping. Do a bit of baking and invite only your best friends over. Do only the bare minimum of activities you don't like and if you find yourself at a party that you didn't want to go to be felt you had to due to some type of obligation put in a show and take off early. If anyone says anything just say you were feeling ill.
I love the holidays! I love buying presents, wrapping presents, and baking. But even if I didn't I'd still love the holidays. I've drastically altered my priorities over the holidays and now I only take in 2 parties or events and spend most of my time with my kids and family. I try to do any baking or present wrapping with the kids to allow them to feel the joy of giving. We build snow people and go sledding. Afterwards we drink hot chocolate and laugh about spills we had on the hill. We play Christmas songs and sing along, watch sappy Christmas movies and snuggle on the couch. Yup we actually do all those things.
Once you realize that no one can make you do anything and you don't have to impress everyone you know with expensive gifts, a tin of homemade cookies is good enough you'll be set free to enjoy the holidays too. Oh, and remember the words, "no, I'm sorry but I can't come, I have plans already" and the holiday season will be a joy for you too.
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