As we come full swing into the holiday season I have a few things for you to consider. Hopefully, they will make the hectic stressful weeks to come a little easier. And maybe even a bit more enjoyable. Here goes...
Your friends don't care if your house is spotless. As long as they have a place to sit and a clean glass for wine they are content. They aren't looking at the state of the floors or the dishes in the sink. What they are looking at is the smile on your face and the lights on the tree. Throwing a box of chocolates on the coffee table is an added bonus.
Presents are not that important. You don't need something for every person who drops in. Even wine or candy can push your budget to the breaking point. Your hospitality and kindness are gifts enough for your family and true friends. Who knows they might be relieved you bought them nothing cause we never really know what shape other people's finances are in.
Kids want to spend time with you. Period. Watching a movie, playing cards or a board game. Just your undivided attention for a bit of time. Show them that they are more important than anything else at the holidays and they will remember that longer than what gift they got.
Store-bought cookies are just as good as homemade. Really they are. Put them on a nice platter and voila instant goodies. The same goes for dinner rolls, frozen veggies, and fruit platters taken home from the grocery. Hell if you can afford to have someone else cook your entire holiday meal...go for it! If anyone tries to shame you for it smile and tell them you chose to spend time with them over cooking. That should shut them up fast.
You don't have to go to everything or really anything you are invited to. Nothing will happen. The world will go on. Some folks will miss seeing you but their party won't be ruined if you don't grace them with your presence. If you think it will be stressful or you would rather have a nap then stay home. Put on your pajamas and spend the time with your kids or spouse. I promise it's okay.
Eating and drinking too much will be a fact of life. Don't beat yourself up for it. Keep some Pepto in the house and accept it. Self-help sites will tell you to eat something before you go and for the one or two of you who will do that, I'm happy for you. The rest of us, who are much more self-aware, will try every dip, sweet, chicken wing and cracker put before us. Whether we ate before we left home or not. Just make sure you have a designated driver or an Uber booked. Drinking and driving is the fastest way to ruin the season...and the year to come.
Nothing will go perfectly. The kids will be cranky, Uncle Bob will drink too much and say something inappropriate or the furnace will stop working. You won't fit into your perfect holiday outfit or you'll forget the cranberries. Take a breath then laugh it off. If it's not a big deal to you it won't be to those around you. It's not as if you are the only person it has ever happened to. Every one of us has been through it. We all feel your pain.
Finally, we only have so much time on this planet. Our holiday seasons are numbered. Spend them with those you love. Doing things you love. Anyone who has lost a loved one will tell you that nothing else really matters. I would never ask for another gift in my life if my Dad could be here with us this Christmas. Cherish your people while you can.
Ang
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