Thursday, November 13, 2008

Surviving the Holidays

Not long after Jay and I married, the holidays hit us square in the face. I LOVE the holidays, but we were trying to be everywhere with everybody in order to make sure nobody was unhappy. Can I tell you this about did us in?!

It only took one holiday season for us to know we had to set some limits and make decisions about how we were going to spend the holidays. Ultimately we decided to spend Thanksgiving at my mom's and Christmas at home with both sides of the family.

Every family situation is different and people need to decide for themselves what will work best. But one thing is for sure, more so than any other time of the year, the holidays can bring out the worst in us if we aren't careful.

I myself have set some goals for this year. I am only going to put up our favorite decorations and I am going to help our daughter decorate the tree this year instead of telling her how we are going to decorate it. I love to bake and entertain so I plan on spending a lot of time in the kitchen. I will invite friends over for informal get togethers....even if the house isn't spotless instead of just talking doing it.

I am going to keep my time with my family and friends in perspective. The holidays only last a couple of weeks and then it is back to the chaos we all know as real life.

My ultimate goal is not to get so worked up over everything, that I don't enjoy the time I have with the people I care about most.

What about you? How will you be spending the holidays?

4 comments:

bakersinspringfield said...

So, how would you like to be held accountable? Will you be sharing your schedule with us? :-) From one who knows, if you mean to get serious about this, you need to give us more information.

Martin said...

Debbie and I have definitely lived and learned also, and we continue to deemphasize the commercial (gift) aspects of the Holidays and dwell more on the real reason, family & traditions.

Martin said...

Debbie and I have also lived and learned, and we continue to deemphasize the commercial (gift) aspects of the Holidays and instead concentrate on the real reason for the Season, family and traditions.

ann caldwell said...

I plan to make the "chore" of Christmas cards more of a family affair this year. THere are so many steps to the process ~ the picture, the tape, the letter, the folding of the letter, the stuffing, the addressing, the stamping, and the licking. I am making it into a party for the kids this year, with hot chocolate, or whatever. I want them to experience the card as I do...thinking about all the friends and family, as you go along. It's time for some sharing!