Surviving the Holidays - Part 1

I was thinking about what to blog about this week. Should I share my favorite pecan pie recipe or talk about how to use hydrogen peroxide to get cranberry stains out of carpet? I could and maybe I will later, but what struck me as I thought about Thanksgiving next week and Christmas a month after is that even though I have been the mistress of my domain for 35 years just thinking about the holidays can raise my stress levels. I actually like the holidays and for the most part enjoy them but (and it's a big but) there are things about them that I never seem to quite get a handle on or get done to my expectations. I've been working on it and changing things - although dropping a "tradition" seems to be especially hard on teenagers for some reason. :-)

Below is a list for myself on how to get through the next six weeks or so with joy, money to spare and relationships intact.

1. Make a plan for days spent w/ company including menus, special decorations, shopping lists, activity ideas.

2. Check guest needs like towels, sheets, pillows, toiletries and restock now.

3. Stock up on healthy snacks for kids and adults.

4. Think through how to keep kitchen clean and house relatively neat even w/ company. If company is family ask them to rotate kitchen clean up duties. (we will be doing this this year :-).

5. Simplify Christmas decorations and make sure to update lights to newer low wattage bulbs to save electricity (unless doing so will stress you budget too much, if so try replacing one type a year).

6. Plan before hand whether you'll send cards, emails. If you decide you want to then plan a night to actually do it.

7. Keep a careful calendar of all events and parties w/ starting times and ending times if stated.

8. Keep a list of possible gifts and sizes with you everywhere you go (I do this all year long).

9. Think about your gift list. The keyword this year is simplify. Make something, recycle something or get adults to agree to give something to a charity.

10. Plan fun (for you) activities and enjoy the season.

11. Most of all do not forget why we have Thanksgiving and Christmas. Don't neglect personal time reading the Bible and praying (it's one of my first inclinations when things get crazy). A quiet spirit is incredibly attractive and life giving, but we can't be that person if we aren't "placing the oxygen mask on yourself first". There is a reason why taking care of yourself first is important and not selfish - we can't give out of what we do not have. I've tried - it just doesn't work.