Holidays are approaching, and with them come one of two things: peace or stress. We choose these by what we decide to embrace or let go of during the season.
With that in mind, and remembering this ever so important phrase, here's what we do and don't do at this time of year.
What we do:
- Bake Christmas cookies once or twice in December
- Wake up in our own beds on Christmas morning
- Spend the few days before Christmas baking & preparing holiday dishes, including our traditional homemade cinnamon rolls
- Buy a few presents for the kids, and recommend presents for our kids to other family members
- Have a cookie decorating party each year with dear friends
- Attend one holiday event (last year it was the Nutcracker, this year a concert)
- Go out to eat on Christmas Eve, followed by church
- Read our growing collection of holiday books
- Count down to Christmas with an advent wreath, candles, & a calendar
- Cut down our own tree at a family farm the day after Thanksgiving (as seen above!)
What we don't do:
- Holiday travel - We live far from extended family, and long ago made the decision not to travel during the holidays, but to save our visits for less busy times of year. This cuts down on our stress significantly from traffic, packing, etc.
- Christmas cards - I know some people love designing and sending these out. I enjoy receiving them, but the idea of mailing these makes me break out into hives.
- Buy presents for each other - Several years ago Steve and I made the decision not to buy each other a present at Christmas. This has been so freeing, as I really feel our holiday has become focused on celebrating Jesus and the experience of our family.
- Buy many presents in general - We buy for a few family members, not many. I spend very little time in stores this time of year. (I'm actually all done with our shopping, which is great for me since I don't like shopping!)
"Christmas had become something to endure at least as much as it had
become something to enjoy—something to dread at least as much as
something to look forward to.
Instead of an island of peace amid a busy
life, it was an island of bustle.
The people we were talking to wanted
so much more out of Christmas: more music, more companionship, more
contemplation, more time outdoors, more love.
And they realized that to
get it, they needed less of some other things:
not so many gifts, not so
many obligatory parties, not so much hustle."
~ Bill McKibben: Hundred Dollar Holiday: The Case for a More Joyful Christmas
