Surviving the Holidays

Why do we always attempt the impossible during the holiday season? Between shopping for gifts, cooking dinners and pies, decorating the home, performing charity works, and visiting friends and family, the season is a dizzy whirlwind of activity. This year try being as good to yourself as you are to others. Being rested, happy and sane is a gift for both you and everyone you come in contact with.

TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF

As you greet each day, remind yourself of the true meaning behind the holidays. You may find it helpful to do this repeatedly on frantic days.

Schedule an afternoon holiday treat just for you.

Some ideas:

• Get a massage
• Spend an afternoon at the salon.
• Enjoy a quiet winter afternoon get away at your local Zoo.
• Lock yourself in the bathroom with a good book and a tub full of bubbles.
• Schedule time for whatever brings you peace and serenity.

CREATIVE GIFTS

Don’t stress out and bust your budget. The holidays are about giving, but that doesn’t have to equate with spending. Instead of shopping until you drop, try giving creative personal gifts that are easier on your budget and bring more joy to the recipient. Begin on these projects in January to get a head start on next year’s holiday season.

Some Suggestions

• For the family- have calendars made using precious old family photos. Do the same for close friends using memorable shots of you together.
• Send a home family video to friends and relatives far away with a $10 long distance gift certificate.
• Whip up home made treats for garden birds and give to the bird lovers on your list.
• Share your garden bounty with fellow gardeners. Divide those perennials and pot them up wrapped in pretty ribbons.
• Gather up pretty fabric remnants from country style to elegant velvets and design home made scrap books and photo albums.
• Create custom recipe boxes for your favorite cooks and include cards with your best personal recipes.

DECORATING THE HOME

We can really knock ourselves out on this one, but there are ways to reduce the time expenditure and better enjoy the time spent decorating.

• Consider a prelit tree instead of spending hours dealing with tangled light cords.
• Instead of climbing ladders to hang, and then take down, house lights- throw blankets of lights over shrubs and trees. Limit the extensive outdoor decorating to your entry area.
• Don’t try to do it all in one day. When it stops being fun and becomes a chore, call it a day. Tackle the project again tomorrow.
• Make decorating a festive part of the family holiday tradition, a party the whole family participates in.

Through it all remind yourself of the true meaning behind the holidays. Give thanks daily for the blessings in your life. Be good to yourself and greet the world with love in your heart, a sparkle in your eyes, and a warm holiday smile upon your lips.