Fun or Stress During the Holidays

Over the years, I’ve heard many people comment how glad they are when the holidays are over. It’s sad when the season that we say is about gratitude, love, hope and sharing becomes so stressful that we are happier when it’s over than during it.

I’m not particularly fond of this crazy holiday season. Don’t get me wrong, I love parties, fun and celebrating, but I enjoy my friend’s annual party in February as much (if not more) then most of the holiday parties, because not much else happens in February.

I like the idea behind Thanksgiving, but won’t it be better if we didn’t stuff all our thankfulness into one day … while at the same time stuffing ourselves with too much food?

And I’m all for celebrating Jesus … but not in a stressful way, rather in a love-your-neighbor kind of way. And not just one day of the year.

My less is more attitude towards the holidays has been developing for about a decade now and especially after my accident. When injuries prevent you from doing much … guess what, you don’t do much.

So how do I do holidays with less? I don’t do things just because everyone else does. Or out of guilt (btw … where’s that guilt coming from?)

Decorating … yes, but minimal.

Baking cookies … some years I do it, some years I don’t.

Christmas tree … a few different years we didn’t have a tree. Either we were tight on money, time or both. (one year we moved on 12/28) It made the tree more meaningful the following year.

Shopping … ugh! We only do minimal gift-giving. One advantage of having a traditional Mennonite family, they aren’t big on gift-giving.

So take a few deep breaths and think about what really matters to you and what doesn’t. What can you reasonably accomplish without blowing your budget or sacrificing your own health … by staying up late, eating lousy and/or not exercising?

What are you feeling as you think of the month ahead?