December can be complicated with errands to do, presents to wrap, cards to send, cleaning to do, relatives to visit... All of the details that need to come together for the Christmas celebration are numerous. But there is a way to simplify the holidays. Making just a few changes as listed in these five steps can make a tremendous difference in simplifying the holiday and making Christmas more enjoyable.
1. Lower your expectations.
No one can do it all. There is a finite amount of time available to invest in the Christmas celebration. Accept the fact that it isn't possible to do everything in every magazine. It may not be possible to do everything that mom or grandma did. It isn't even possible to do everything that looks simple and fun. It is ok. Lowering your expectations to a realistic level is the first step.
2. Remember that less is often more.
Whether it is baking ten kinds of cookies or making sure every family member has a dozen gifts to open, it is easy to think that more is better. There is a law of diminishing returns, however, and it is quite probable that people will enjoy five kinds of cookies just as much as ten. When children receive too many gifts, the specialness is lost around gift five or six. Choose fewer and make them mean more.
3. Decide which traditions are truly important.
Choose the three things that are most meaningful and focus on them. Remember to include all of the family members in deciding what is important as sometimes the things that are very special to the younger members of the family might be the very things you would least expect.
4. Avoid events and people who ruin the holiday.
Although this is sometimes easier said than done, it is important to having a peaceful and joyful Christmas. If there are people who consistently make the holiday an emotional drama, seriously consider not spending time with them. Develop alternate plans with other friends and family as necessary. Although it may cause some hurt feelings, it is especially important to protect children form stressful Christmas situations.
5. Focus on the spiritual aspects of the holidays, not the material.
It is so easy to get caught up in the material aspects of the Christmas season and completely miss the real meaning. Christmas is a time of joy, hope and goodwill toward men. For Christians, it is a deeply meaningful celebration of Christ the Messiah coming to earth. Find ways to focus on the spiritual meaning of the holiday such as reading a devotional book, attending a performance of Messiah, or attending a special Christmas Eve service. If the heart of Christmas is lost in the hustle and bustle of the commercial and cultural aspects, then Christmas truly has been missed.
By following these five steps, it will definitely make it possible to have a Merry Christmas this year!
Comments
Excellent article. I especially like #1. Letting go of the perfectionism is huge!
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