Uh-oh! The holidays are coming!
Life is certainly different since Covid entered our lives a year and a half go. Now, the holidays can be a blessing or a burden. Some families can’t get together because of distance or illness. Some won’t because of concerns about mask or no mask, or division of strong opinions within a family and friends regarding vaccines or no vaccines.
How can we keep this all-in perspective and navigate through the troubled waters of this new normal? What is the bottom line? Of course, we are grateful that we are still here. Some of our dearest friends or family members are gone. Some we can’t even travel to go see. We are left to carry on in the best way that we can.
But how can we simplify the holidays, relax, and enjoy them?
First, let’s look at the obligations we already have to do in just our regular routine; perhaps a full-time job, kids to monitor, driving to do, meetings to attend, perhaps grandkids to see, grocery shopping to do – laundry, doctor appointments, meal preparation, bills to pay, and necessary phone calls. Add it all up and you have your 40-hour week already in place.
Enter the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Let’s not forget those 10,000 cards that we want to send, and finding the perfect gift to give, the perfect turkey dinner to shop for, plan, cook and serve.
Here are some basic suggestions to help us relax and pace ourselves. I hope some of them will encourage you.
1. Decorating. Not every nook and cranny of our homes has to decorated. They do not have to look like Norman Rockwell’s or Martha Stewart’s Simply, a reasonable tree, even an artificial one, with boughs placed around the room for the aroma can do the job. Boughs can be purchased inexpensively at a local lot. A few poinsettias splashed around the house and porch can be beautiful. Reasonably priced at Home Depot. Last year I bought, at Home Depot (I joke that I live there) those colorful lights that shine and rotate across the front of the house. Easy to install. Beautiful. Inexpensive.
2. Meals. We do not have to capture all the beloved old traditions of grandma’s eggnog, and baking. After all, Grandma probably didn’t work full time and had time to do these wonderful things. Marie Calendar makes better pies than I ever have. Precooked turkeys, available nowadays at a reasonable price, can save you hours of time cooking or time in the kitchen. In pricing the cost of buying all the ingredients for that fabulous meal, I have often found that it is more practical to order one ahead and add a few trimmings. If you do cook, ask your guests to bring some of the side dishes such as the sweet potatoes, jello salad, pie, and string beans which saves you hours of time and expense in the kitchen. Most guests are eager to bring something since you are hosting. Then, you are free to visit and enjoy them. Make some of your dishes ahead.
If there is a far distance to travel to get together, we could even meet loved ones halfway and eat out!
We do not have to be super moms or grandmas. Because we risk being so tired and worn out in the preparing, cleaning, and cooking, that we can easily become as cross as a grizzly bear. Well, maybe not you, of course. But maybe me.
Most of all, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to thank God for all that we have; our freedoms, and that we live in the USA. To share a prayer together is priceless.
3. Gifts. I have written to relatives near and far suggesting that we no longer exchange gifts, or at least draw names and set a price limit. They were all thrilled and relieved. Why didn’t I think of this years ago? After all, I pointed out gift giving has nothing to do with loving each other.
4. Or, better yet, instead of gifts, attend an event together where you are building memories that last a lifetime long after a gift is forgotten. This year, my favorite thing to do for my daughter Stacey and my best friend Dee is tickets to The Messiah. Even a favorite concert or sporting event will please your loved one.
5. Gift certificates save a lot of shopping. My teenage grandkids would much rather have a Visa Gift Card where they can select what they want.
6. Cards. How people treasure them especially when very few send them anymore. Start way before Thanksgiving addressing your cards. Last year at this time, we were holed up for 2 weeks in a Residence Inn because our entire downstairs at home was flooded. All the flooring and part of the walls had to go. So, I took with me addresses and did the best job I ever have because I took the time to write notes. cards. How about cutting your list in half? Or sending ecards instead?
7. Giving. Since we have so much already, why not contribute to a local charity or school for a needy family? One of my favorite charities is Fresh Beginnings Ministry (FBM) founded by Bill Nelson. You can find them online. Did you know that their volunteers cook and deliver over 1000 turkey dinners at Christmas?
Unbelievable. Another favorite of mine is sending a short greeting to our troops scattered around the world. The Red Cross has that information.
8. Rescue. Why not volunteer to work at an animal rescue center or, better yet, bring one home to add to your family? These poor, abandoned cats and dogs long for a home where they will receive love and attention. The joy you bring them is a gift of unconditional love to you.
With these simple changes, we can be more relaxed and even peaceful, enjoying the holidays, making them even more meaningful than ever before. Would you agree that especially at this time what people need most is a hug, a kind word, an invitation, a visit? We can have more joy and bless others while feeling that blessing come right back to us!
The best present of all is that we are here for the present time. We are not here forever, but while we are here, let’s make the most of it and dish out warmth and affection to those around us. We can look for chances to help. Away with the frivolous and on with real meaning.
May this be the most meaningful holidays you have ever experienced. We can make it happen. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!
The Lord bless and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)
QUOTES
“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” W. Churchill.
“Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can.” John Wesley
“Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you think.” Longfellow
“Once again we come to the holiday season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice.” Dave Barry
“Save the earth. It’s the only planet with chocolate.”
“Sometimes the best things are right in front of you; it just takes time to see them.” Gladys Knight
“He who slings mud generally loses ground.” Adlai Stevenson
Enjoy reading Annie’s recently published inspirational memoir, THAT ONE PERSON, by Annie Farris, written to encourage you in these challenging times. Now available on Amazon for $15.95, and Kindle for $9.99. Endorsed by Pat Boone and 18 others with numerous 5-star reviews. It makes a great gift!
AFTER YOU’VE READ THE BOOK, PLEASE GO TO AMAZON.COM AND WRITE A REVIEW. Amazon will only allow Annie to advertise after she has 100 5 star reviews, a daunting job for a new author!