Reclaiming the holidays

Have you noticed as you grow older, how much shorter the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas has become? When you were a child, it seemed endless and now there is hardly time to breathe in between. Before you know it, not only are you up to your ears in things that need to be done but you have lost any holiday spirit that you may have had. What can you do to reclaim the holidays and some of the excitement and anticipation that you used to feel?

First and foremost, just say no. Don’t allow anyone, including yourself to pressure you to do anything that you don’t really have the time or desire to do. Decide in advance of the holidays exactly how much time you have for entertaining, being entertained, volunteering, shopping, and cooking. Prioritize events that you know you will be invited to. 

Don’t be tempted to try to do too much.

Yes, you could do three parties in one day, but you will not have time to enjoy any of them and will arrive back home exhausted and feeling as if everyone was short changed. Go to only one party, enjoy yourself, relax and get to visit with the other guests. Keep in mind what you receive are invitations not commands; you are not required to attend. Be selfish, do what you want for a change.

There are going to be some events that you are not going to be able to avoid, no matter how much you might want to. That doesn’t mean however that you have to stay for the entire event, stay only as long as you need then go home to do whatever task are weighing you down.

Part of reclaiming the holidays is spending time with the people that you love. Use shopping and baking to accomplish both tasks. Plan a shopping expedition with your friends or with your family. Make it quality time, there is nothing saying that you can’t have important conversations while mulling over gift choices.

Organize a cookie swap. With a few family members and friends you can get together and exchange cookies while sipping hot chocolate and even exchanging gifts if that is part of your tradition. A little grab bag swap is a nice touch. All you need is a few dozen cookies each and a table or counter to hold all the cookies. Chinese takeout boxes make excellent cookie boxes for take-home.

If you can’t see a way out of all the commitments that seem to be thrust upon you at the holidays this might just be the year to go away for the holidays. Pack your bags and your immediate family and just get out of town. Start a new tradition.

Another part of reclaiming the holidays is not buying into all the commercialism. It is the thought that counts not the size or number of gifts. This year, in particular, it’s a good time to teach your children that it is better to give than to receive. It is also a very good time to give back to your church, your community or your neighbors. Bring the joy back into the holidays.

Keep it simple, keep it holy and keep it joyful. You don’t need to have stress-filled holidays. You can choose to have a holiday season that leaves you feeling refreshed and renewed and ready to face the New Year with a happy heart, not an aching head. The choice is really up to you.