Christmas is my favorite time of year.
From the end of November to the beginning days of January, I look forward to having everyone close to home from school and work for a few days. I look forward to visiting with my family, whom I haven’t seen since last time. Then, all the traditional foods make their way to the table, not to mention all the goodies my waistline can handle.
What’s Not To Love?
From the turkey and mashed potatoes with gravy on Thanksgiving to the ham and cranberries of Christmas. Sweet treats of all kinds, but always the PIE! Sweet potato, pumpkin, fruit varieties such as cherry and apple, or my favorite chocolate pudding pie made by my grandmother bring out the best of the season.
This season is supposed to be filled with anticipation, mystery, and magic wrapped inside the sights, sounds, and smells. There is so much: fantastic light displays, decorated trees inside and out, imperfectly wrapped gifts, Christmas movies, all the holiday songs on repeat, and maybe a visit to Santa or one of his many helpers.
Regrettably, as an adult, some of that magic begins slipping away in the chaos and busyness of commercialized shopping, extravagant spending, and lists as we go through the motions.
What has happened to Christmas
With each passing year, I remember so many late Christmas Eve spent wrapping last-minute gifts well into the morning. Sleep deprivation over doing enough and overspending my budget.
A final trip to the convenience store to grab a gift for the unexpected guest you just found out was stopping by. While there, don’t forget to grab extra butter because you might run out of the eight remaining sticks while the city is shut down.
These kids have written lists, and then they have added and changed them so many times. They are full of everything they want, but most will be forgotten later.
STOP! Close your eyes, take a deep breath and relax. Shift the focus back to things that matter, and skip the fillers! It is time to take back the holiday and remember what the season is all about!
It is time to rediscover the meaning of Christmas, the magic of the season, this year, next year, and for years to come.
Traditions are important, old or new, whatever fits you!
Keep the little things alive by doing those that work and letting go of those that don’t. Create beautiful stories for years to come with some timeless traditions:
- Watch the holiday classics (countdown to Christmas programs run all season on several platforms.)
- Go to the tree farm and pick your perfect tree, or unbox the one you’ve enjoyed for years.
- Decorate as a family. Share the stories of your ornaments or string the popcorn while drinking eggnog or cocoa.
- Plan and arrange a holiday dinner or attend one of the social gatherings that you would usually pass on. And if needed, pass on one you are expected to attend; they will miss you, but there is always next time.
- Choose whether to send the Christmas cards or not!
- Play your favorite Christmas songs on repeat, and sing along!
- Write a letter to Santa and mail it! Close your eyes and feel the wish you are sending off, hoping your heart will be healed and your faith restored.
Do something that spreads love, joy, or the gift of time.
- Volunteer at a soup kitchen for holiday dinner. Places like the Salvation Army serve holiday meals and lunch and supper year-round. centralusa.salvationarmy.org/cedarrapids
- Nursing homes often entertain the company. Read Christmas stories, sing carols, or comfort anyone who needs it (check for health precautions first!)
- Pay it forward. When you grab a coffee, a donut, or a number one combo at your favorite joint, drop a few extra dollars and put a smile on the face of another.
- Show kindness and grace.
Give the gift of Homemade Goodies.
It’s so easy to buy everything premade these days. It is a convenience, and that is okay. But you can also be adventurous. Preheat the oven, dig out the mixer, and make the pies or the cookies – heavy on love, sugar, and peanut butter! And then, indulge a little!
These are the Moments
Accept the unexpected! Open the gift you didn’t know was coming. Enjoy the company of loved ones who have so much to share. Take a twirl with your uncle when you walk past. Cherish that kiss on the cheek from your Granma and Grandpa, and let the memories be with you forever.
In all that this season has to offer, take time to reflect – on you, your family, and your friends. Evaluate what matters; instead of getting lost in the chaos, find yourself in the moments.
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