The holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever it is you celebrate, should be relaxing and fun and not yet another source of stress in our busy days.
Life goes on despite the holidays and although commercials tell us that it’s all about shopping and being of good cheer, things happen: people fall ill, die, argue, separate, divorce, are fired, away from their loved ones, tired, depressed and lonely, also during the holidays. Some people are especially so during the holidays.
A few tips to simplify the season and enjoy it warts and all …
- Minimize material gift giving, if you can’t afford it. Nobody should be offended if you cannot buy a present.
- Christmas meals need not be elaborate and expensive. Make it a potluck, where everyone brings something.
- It’s ok not to send Christmas cards.
- Focus on what you have, not on what you lack.
- Say no. If I gave money to every Salvation Army bucket and every charity I come across, I’d have nothing left for my kids.
- Realize there is no “perfect” Christmas. Pining for a Normal Rockwell kind of celebration will only make you feel bad. You can make the best of any season.
- Know that if you don’t bake cookies, the “Christmas Baking Police” won’t arrest you!
- Give and receive the greatest gift of all: the gift of your presence.
Any tips of your own?
No comments:
Post a Comment