November to me is just one step away from Christmas, and Christmas being like a storm. As the clouds turn grey and dark so do my stress levels. Well for once I am saying enough!!. I will not have a stressful Christmas this year and everyone can help out.. so i say puffing up my chest and screaming at the top of my lungs. So be it I say.. (oh help!!).
It is possible to go from stressed
to blessed, to create a simpler, more joyful Christmas this year. So I am going to follow these ten Grinch-busting tips and you’ll slide from overwhelmed to
overjoyed faster than you can shout “God bless us all, everyone!”
1. Lower
expectations: Don’t fall for the hype and myth-takes that can ruin your
holiday. You’ll make yourself crazy comparing your home, your holiday,
your family, with anyone or anything that makes you feel less than perfect. Stop
trying to win the perfect holiday award for the best cookies, the most
elaborate decorations, or the biggest gifts. Remember these four important
words throughout the holiday season: Do less, enjoy more.
2. Change routines: Why do we feel that we must continue forever to do things just as we’ve always done them? Don’t be bound by past traditions. Think outside the box and consider new ways of doing things to make it easier on yourself.
2. Change routines: Why do we feel that we must continue forever to do things just as we’ve always done them? Don’t be bound by past traditions. Think outside the box and consider new ways of doing things to make it easier on yourself.
o
Instead
of exchanging gifts with co-workers or extended family, how about choosing
a charity to help?
o
Who
says you HAVE to cook a huge meal for 30 people every year? Groan, Could you,
have a simple gathering instead? Better yet, let another relative take a
turn at hosting this year’s celebration.
3. Don’t do it all
yourself: Involve every member of the family right down to the
toddlers. If you can’t do it together, then maybe it’s not something you
need to do at all. Turn decorating, shopping, gift-wrapping, baking, and even
house cleaning into family-time activities.
4. Plan ahead: Work
smarter, not harder. Do as much as you can in the months before Christmas to
leave December open for spontaneous joy. Get the car serviced early so it will be ready for holiday travel, bake
and freeze cookies throughout November, start addressing Christmas card
envelopes during the summer while you’re sitting in the sun sipping lemonade.
5. Spend less money: Nothing
adds stress to the season like worrying about how you’ll pay the credit card
bill come January. Remember that it’s the thought that counts. Think
of creative gifts you can give that cost less but express your love. Keep
a journal of all your expenditures. Know each day how much you’ve spent so
far. Shop fast. The more time you spend in the store, the more money
it will cost you.
6. Simplify gift
shopping: Plan ahead, make a list, and stick to it. Shop
throughout the year rather than doing it all at the last minute. Instead of
individual gifts, buy one item for an entire family such as a board game.
7. Celebrate family
and community: Schedule time for fun and relaxing together. Put it on
your calendar and make it top priority. Don’t let anything get in your way. If
you’re too busy to drive through the neighborhood with the kids looking
at the lights and listening to Christmas music, re-arrange your
schedule. Whatever you’re planning to do, share it with someone and make
it quality time.
8. Create
lasting, loving memories: Be selective. Don’t fill every moment of the
season with frantic activity. Think quality, not quantity. Reading stories
together, a relaxed tree-trimming, singing carols, making snow angels, or just
enjoying the evening stars and sharing a cup of hot cocoa can be more enjoyable
than attending every play, concert, and party of the season. Volunteer as a family
to sort food at a food bank, organize a toy or coat drive, deliver meals on
wheels, or serve Christmas dinner at a shelter. These are memories you’ll
cherish forever.
9. Tame the greediest: Steer
the family’s focus toward the needs of others and how your family can render
service. Help everyone to develop an attitude of gratitude instead of
always wanting something more. Talk about ways to share the season’s joy
with others. Instead of wish lists, make a list of ways to practice
generosity. These might include helping someone with shoveling, shopping,
decorating, or baking. Or choose a volunteer project you can work on
together as a family. Keep the TV turned off as much as possible to avoid
commercials.
10. Create fun new
traditions: Buy a new cookie cutter each
year to add to a collection, or shop as a family to buy an early Christmas
present for yourselves like a
board game you can play throughout December.
For now though, I am inspired by this awsome outfit from Gizza called the Cardigan with T Shirt and the gorgeous new hair from Elikatira called Libby, about to sip my warm hot chocolate from What Next. So what are you waiting for, come take a walk to our destination for today: -
Destination: - On9, Collabor88
Cardigan: - Gizza Cardigan with T Shirt - Female (New) @ On9
Hair:- Elikatira Hair called Libby
Hot Chocolate: - What Next Hot Chocolate (New) @ Collabor88
