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Note: This article originally appeared in this month’s issue of About Face Magazine.
As we embark on a joyous holiday season it’s easy to get swept up in the rush and stress of it all.
In a family of blended backgrounds it’s important for us to explore what has significance for us and how we want to make merry. It’s been an amazing experience for me, as someone that grew up celebrating Christmas and Saint Nickolas Day, to find so much meaning in Hanukkah and Solstice. And yet, there are traditions of Christmas and Saint Nickolas Day that I can’t imagine living without.
And so, I have to admit, I’m a Holiday Addict! But I am also a happiness junkie and a working girl, so I have to find balance or bust.
Many of us find the holiday season stressful regardless of our love of fruitcake, reindeer sweaters and chocolate Hanukkah coins. I’m going to share with you what I’ve discovered in my quest for holiday merriment infused with meaning and deficient in overwhelm.
It’s vital know your priorities. You can’t do everything. Make lists of the most important events to attend, presents to buy, and rituals to enjoy. What makes you feel the love and joy of the season?
Concentrate on that and make it your top priority. If you aren’t excited to go to your cousin’s eggnog tasting or your co-worker’s paper mache ornament making party, skip it. Save your energy for things that delight you.
Maintain traditions that have meaning for you and your family. If there are family traditions that you grew up with that you love, do them. But, don’t feel obligated to put socks in the stocking or make a huge pot roast just because your grandma did.
Skip the holiday cards! Or don’t. If you actually enjoy sending out holiday cards – definitely do it (and send me one too). But, if you’re like me and it’s enjoyable about every other year, send it out every other year. There are very few people that make naughty and nice lists based on who they receive holiday cards from. Instead, reach out to those you love in other ways – call them, email them, or send out a Presidents Day cards.
Take care of yourself. It’s tempting to binge on cookies and fudge for the whole month of December, but don’t. When you fill your soul container full of crap, it’s likely to feel like crap. I recommend focusing on eating balanced meals instead of avoiding treats. You don’t want to deprive yourself of every sugary indulgence, but if you first have a delicious meal with lots of vegetables – you’ll only have room for half a pumpkin pie and a medium eggnog latte.
And don’t forget to have fun! There is joy to be had in every moment, regardless of what you are doing. If you find yourself grumbling your way through REI looking for that perfect gift for your brother, stop, inject some silliness and delight into your search. Imagine what his face would look like if you gave him the go-girl female urination device! It can be fun, anything can be fun. Lighten up.
I’d love to hear about your holiday traditions and how you make this season magical. Email me, or send me a holiday card, or…just skip it if it wouldn’t bring you joy.
This is great. I like the ‘skip the Christmas cards’ bit — it may get a bit stressful, coming up with different holiday wishes every year, for every person. And I agree that it’s important not to make the whole December a one massive feast — that’s a mistake lots of us make and it pays off with unwanted weight… and could lead to increased susceptibility to colds later in January.
In this day and age of email and everything else electronic, I find a huge amount of pleasure shopping for the right Holiday card, writing a personal, thoughtful message and sending it the old fashion way – in the mail that gets delivered to your door.
My children and I have created new family traditions around the holidays. My daughter and I love to bring out my favourite recipe books and magazines and cook and bake up a feast to share. We package some things as take aways and others are prepared to join with us as a family.
I do love the holiday!