As I complete my Christmas list, I wanted to share with you some thoughts on how to cope if you are the conductor of your family’s orchestra (code name for Mother). With only 14 days before Christmas, many of you have not completed your shopping, baking, volunteering or whatever else is part of your holiday tradition.
Let me make a few suggestions on how to share the load. Making a list is definitely required. For you bohemian types who can make everything happen with a wiggle of your nose, good for you. For the rest of us we need a list.
Many people have less to spend on Christmas this year and some have even less time. After you’ve made your list of what to buy, plan your trips. Group them to reduce driving and time. Visit the malls or Cosco on Monday or Tuesday night. They are dead quiet and you can get served at the cash right away.
It’s important to decide what must be done and what can wait. You can also ask for help. Just because your husband or wife doesn’t normally do this, you may be pleasantly surprised by their reaction. Make a big fuss just like you did when your toddler produced their first bowel moment in the toilet. A little appreciation goes a long way. Try not to laugh, it totally ruins the effect.
I’m relatively relaxed this year as the orchestra leader. I used to have unrealistic expectation of what I could pull off. I’m not old enough to transfer responsibility for the turkey dinner on to some unsuspecting wife of my sons, as none of them are married……yet. Close but no cigar.
Let me give you some suggestions for little or no money gifts. I make almond bark and it is really quite cheap to make. Buy one pound of almonds and two pounds of white chocolate for baking. Isn’t that cute I still use English measurements. That’s 450 grams and 900 grams respectively for the rest of you. Bake the almonds for 15 minutes at 250 degrees. When you smell them, they are roasted. Melt the chocolate in the microwave on low one cupful at a time. Add the almonds to the chocolate and spread on a cookie sheet and put in the freezer for 15 minutes. Break into pieces and voila! People are so impressed with this it is ridiculous but hey if we’re all happy, that’s what holidays are all about.
Another thing I’ve done when I had absolutely no money is give coupons. Coupons for back scratches, chores, or homemade dinners. Maybe there are some more risqué ideas you could come up with for your Sweetheart. Invite people over to decorate the tree, otherwise you’ll end up doing it alone.
What’s important is that we stay relaxed, remember what’s important is being together and being grateful for what we have. Share with those less fortunate. Last week I delivered meals to people in need as part of a charity initiative. We were probably the only other humans these people came in contact with all week.
My wish for you is that you arrive at Christmas not feeling overwhelmed or worse inadequate. Sometimes less is more. If we can get back to more time together and a little less consumerism, perhaps this is a good outcome of the recession.
Please share with me your ideas to keep the holidays from driving you crazy.
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I couldn’t agree with you more that we just have to relax and remind ourselves of what is the most important. For me, it is definitely the time spend together and being grateful for what we have. And at the same time sharing whatever we have with the less fortunate.
I think it is important to reflect on what Christmas is really about. For me, it is celebrating Christ’s birth and appropriating it’s eternal value in our lives. Sharing with family and friends not only material things but more so the love of God that is the reason for Jesus’ coming as a child. God bless you this Christmas!
14 days till Christmas!? I think I better get busy… ho hum
Once again Kay you have hit the nail on it’s head. You had me in STITCHES. Funny thing is as we get older a BowelMovement is once again something to be treasured..ha ha ..If we don’t cross paths over the Holidays,Here’s Wishing you and your Family a Healthy and Happy Christmas…God Bless
Brian, we really have to get together since we live not 5 minutes away from each other it’s quite silly. I hope you and yours all the best of health, the rest can take care of itself. All the best, Kay