We Will Be Realistic and not get caught up in overextending ourselves out of a sense of compulsion or obligation. We know to keep it simple, thoughtful and heartfelt.
Tip: Use the 12 days of Christmas theme and give out inexpensive treats to your children for each of the twelve days of Christmas or utilize an Advent Calendar to make each day special.
We Will Be Specific and know exactly how much we will spend in time and money for gifts, gatherings and holiday goodies.
Tip: Put together holiday goody bags for your family and friends. Include candy, stickers, and a small craft for each child in the family.
Tip: Use the 12 days of Christmas theme and give out inexpensive treats to your children for each of the twelve days of Christmas or utilize an Advent Calendar to make each day special.
We Will Be Specific and know exactly how much we will spend in time and money for gifts, gatherings and holiday goodies.
Tip: Put together holiday goody bags for your family and friends. Include candy, stickers, and a small craft for each child in the family.
We Will Be Decisive and not waver in the smart and thoughtful decisions we have made. We'll decide and stick with it.
Tip: Focus on the beauty of the season. Make some time to go out and look at the Christmas decorations in your town. This is NOT a time for shopping. Just take in the beauty of the holidays, have some hot cocoa and look at the wonderful sites all around you.
We Will Have a Great Attitude because we know what this season really means to our lives. We know we will have more fun if we don't sweat the small stuff.
Tip: Take some time this year and make some new holiday traditions with your family, friends and just yourself.
We Will Give Our Inner Martha Stewart a Break and relax instead of trying to make everything perfect. We are going to enjoy the holiday spirit each day with our loved ones.
Tip: Eat an extra tasty boxed treat or make one favorite recipe and really splurge on the ingredients. Yum!
We Will Make Room for Holiday Joy by de-cluttering our homes and ridding the stuff we don't need.
Tip: Share your old stuff with families who are less fortunate than yourself to make their Christmas Season special too.
We Will Use the Word "No" because we know it's hazardous to say "yes" to everyone. When we start to feel a little bad about declining a few invitations, we will think back to our last stint with influenza with bronchitis.
Tip: Stay home a few times and have a special movie night with festive goodies, then take a hot bath/shower and go to sleep early.
The holiday season always reminds us of what really matters in life. Our children, family, friends, food, good health... the list goes on. And as this season draws nearer, it will reveal that our so-called problems in life may not be quite as bad as someone else's dilemma. This year's holiday spirit will be evidence that although we may be going down a bumpy road right now, the world is in a constant state of change and these challenging times will indeed pass.
So no matter what winter holiday you celebrate, give yourself a special gift this year. Pause for a few moments each day and give thanks. The feeling of gratitude is an amazing and powerful gift.
