A Simple Guide to Happier Holidays
As the holiday season is upon us, we are reminded of how this can be the most wonderful — or the most stressful — time of the year. Sometimes it's the latter if we let the pressure of the season get to us.
We try to decorate our home inside out into the most idyllic winter wonderland. We prepare a feast that could feed an orphanage for days. We buy presents left, right, and center because we don't want to seem like the frugal ones. We try to see everyone and do everything for everyone. But... we actually don't have to.
We don't have to join the full-blown Christmas shenanigans if we don't want to. Instead, we can choose to have a more mindful, intentional Christmas. Here are some thoughts on how:
1. Have minimalist Christmas decorations.
A wreath on the door, a bouquet on the kitchen table, and some tea lights in the lounge. Done. If you want a tree (I always want one), decorate it simply. Just pop a star on the top and some fairy lights around it. You might be surprised at how beautiful and meaningful simplicity can look and feel.
2. Cut one dish out of your feast.
Most out of us cook every day to feed ourselves. So, come the holiday season, cooking isn't the problem. It's the quantity and complexity of the cooking. You don't need to make ten dishes just because you always have done so before or because it's tradition. It's ok to change traditions and make new ones. Take one dish out of your feast. Maybe the most difficult one, the one you least enjoy making, or the one that people never seem to comment on. It will not only save you some time and energy, but it will help everyone savor the other dishes even more.
3. Replace presents with donations to charities.
If Christmas shopping makes you stressed, opt for donations to charities instead. Your loved ones will appreciate your generosity, as will the charities you've picked.
4. Make time to relax.
Start reading some of the books you got for Christmas and watch some feel-good movies (like The Holiday or Love Actually) to connect with your loved ones through laughter. Give yourself permission to wind down and put your feet up.
5. Go offline.
Give the people you're with your full attention. Put your smartphone away and your out-of-office email on. Sure, do some video calls with friends and family who you can't see face-to-face, but, other than that, keep your smartphone in the other room.
As Edna Ferber said, "Christmas isn't a season. It's a feeling." From the bottom of my heart to yours, I hope your feeling is full of calm and contentment. Happy holidays!