Tips to Enjoy Christmas More
By K.M. Forsyth
Photo: © Kati Molin - dreamstime.com
 Although we all have dreams of the perfect Christmas, very few of us can manage to pull off Christmas like a Martha Stewart event without nearly losing our minds in the process. Here are three suggestions to help you keep your sanity and perhaps adjust your expectations so you can enjoy the holidays instead of enduring them.
Go for Happy, Not for Broke - A quick poll of your friends will probably yield the same result. Their best memories of Christmas rarely revolve around gifts. Generally our fondest Christmas memories are of people and places, not of things.
This year think of giving fewer gifts (less shopping means less stress). Maybe draw names from a hat or decide that only the youngest members of the family get gifts, and instead give a donation to a charity that everyone in the family agrees on. Even better, donate an afternoon of your families time to a charity. Something that will make you grateful for what you have and give you the gift of feeling good about helping others.
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Let Someone Else do the Work - It's time to delegate. Let other people help you get ready for the holidays. They don't even have to be family members. Shop online and take advantage of free gift-wrapping. Order a big batch of Christmas baking from the bakery and then only make a single recipe of your very favorite shortbread to round out the trays.
In most cities you can even have your Christmas dinner made and delivered to you. Some hotels have a Christmas dinner in their dining room. If you are stressed about the meal, why not take everyone out for dinner this year. Just be sure to make your reservations early.
It's All in Your Point of View - Christmas brings out the perfectionist in all of us. We bring a lot of stress on ourselves by wanting the perfect tree with the perfect decorations set in the perfect spot. This year try and keep in mind that the tree will not make or, more importantly, break your holiday.
Even if the centerpiece is not quite what you wanted, or you forgot to get the wreath for the door this year, relax. Chances are you are the only one who knows, unless you tell – so don't! |
