It's the Holiday Season (Almost!)
Here's how I’m celebrating and what I’m skipping this holiday season. My goal is not to feel burnt out by New Year’s.
Holiday cookies, decorations, stocking stuffers, and pajamas have snuck into the stores before Halloween. I went shopping the other day, and I just stood there taking it all in. I’m not ready for this, I thought to myself. I could feel my muscles tighten as I took out my phone to check the date.
The holiday season is a lot of fun, but I’m in no rush to get there. I’m still loving fall. I’m envisioning a much simpler holiday season for my family this year - focusing on what we truly enjoy. Here’s how I’m celebrating and what I’m skipping this holiday season. My goal is not to feel burnt out by New Year’s.
Celebrating
Baking our favorite cookies! I love the smell of fresh baked cookies in my house on a cold winter day.
Buying gifts that I know others will truly love, and not something I think they should have.
Sipping tea while my son enjoys his favorite holiday beverage, hot cocoa. We talk about why we love the holiday season so much and our favorite holiday memories.
Getting cozy on the couch with all the lights turned off and only the Christmas tree lights to watch holiday movies with my family. Holiday movies practically all have the same storyline, I know, but I can’t get enough.
Focusing on having fun and doing one or two things we truly enjoy. Since my son was five months old, we’ve spent a day in NYC every holiday season. It’s a tradition we love. We still have work, school and sports, so choosing one or two adventures to look forward to is plenty.
Skipping
Asking myself questions like, “Is it enough? Have we done enough? Have we found the perfect wrapping paper yet?” Instead, I’ll be asking, “Are we enjoying the holiday season?”
Baking 15 different cookies because that’s what’s always been done, even though no one eats them. Does this happen in your house too?
Getting wrapped up (pun intended!) in buying gifts. There will be gifts, but they’ll be part of the celebration instead of the main event.
Jam-packed schedules with no downtime. It’s not fun for me to race from one thing to another. Enjoyable events start to feel like a chore rather than a celebration.
Feeling guilty for not taking family holiday pictures in matching outfits or pajamas. It’s just not my husband’s or son’s thing. Yet every year I try to get them to do it.
Matching pajama pictures or not, I’m looking forward to stressing less this holiday season. How about you? Are you going all out this year or simplifying things?
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Anna
