It's Almost Here

Christmas is almost here - ready or not.  Us women usually are the ones who "make Christmas."  Standards (that we made up) are getting higher and higher.  If something we do one year is a big hit, it's a tradition and we have to do it every year, right? 

Every year some people write articles about how it's crazy to spend the days before Christmas rushing around in circles, wearing ourselves out to get everything perfect - does anyone listen?  The older I got, the less I was physically, emotionally, and mentally capable of doing it all.  One year I was out in a snow storm buying food for a party on Christmas Eve that almost no one came to because of the snow storm.  Something kind of crazy about that. 

I'm celebrating Christmas again this year - like many others in the recent past - celebrating the spirit of love.  There are some gifts but I bought them with my cash back from my credit card.  None of them are wrapped - they're in boxes and bags.  For a lot of the people that I don't know well that I wanted to give gifts to, I gave cash and Christmas socks.  The cash was a big hit!

And the Christmas miracle for me is that I don't feel guilty!

Create a New Kind of Christmas

Why not come up with some ideas for a different kind of Christmas dinner.  Maybe you can cook a turkey or a ham and have non-traditional accompaniments.  You could have only fresh fruit or only fresh vegetables.  Have a whole bunch of them - some you've never tried before.  Add some bakery bread - whole wheat.  For one thing the prep will be easier and for another you won't have a stomach ache after you eat.

Turn off the television and radio during Christmas week or at least during Christmas day.  Don't read the newspaper.  Just listen to beautiful music and relax.

Declare a moratorium on gossip during the holidays.  Starting on December 1st, don't discuss anyone who isn't in the room.  Don't declare the moratorium to anyone but yourself.  Just leave the room politely if anyone starts gossiping.

Don't bring any work home during Christmas week.

Sit down and just listen to anyone talking to you.

First thing each morning and the last thing each night, step outside and notice the outdoor world.  Count your blessings.

Easy, Thoughtful Gift Ideas

I love the idea that gifts can be consumable services like:  Tickets to a movie; a day at the museum; a  home-delivered meal; a gift certificate for a massage; a professional housekeeper for a day; an evening of babysitting; skill sharing like music lessons, singing lessons, computer advice; pet sitting; gift certificate for a facial; golf lessons; a day at a spa.  Thinking about the people I love, I can see how I might make a gift of the kind of help I can give.  Wouldn't this be a nice change from giving "stuff?"