Creating your own Christmas traditions
I love this time of year: the decorations on the houses, a cool breeze in the air, beautiful music everywhere you go. I often have a hard time understanding why so many people get so FRUSTRATED on vacation, until I get out in public and partake in the craziness. Between the crowds, the crazy spending, and the pressures to participate in every social event that comes along, it’s no wonder some people dread this joyous season!
So I invite you to make a pact with me: this is the year that you decide to get out of the routine and do your thing. Who says you have to have a nervous breakdown to celebrate properly? Where is it written that you must give in to the consumer feeding frenzy? If I remember correctly, the holidays are supposed to be a time when you celebrate all the good things in life, when you enjoy the company of your friends and family, and when you spread goodwill wherever you go. The holidays are a time when you can practice being the person you always wanted to be. How can you do that when you’re going 90 miles per hour? Let’s take time this year to develop some holiday rituals that focus on your true priorities.
TURN OFF THE TV
How much time do you spend during the holiday season watching the silly box? TV execs have things figured out this time of year: If they call it a “special,” they’ll all tune in. But how many times do you really need to watch “Grinch” and “It’s A Wonderful Life”? Wouldn’t it be better to spend that time doing something meaningful with your loved ones? Try trading at least one TV show for a Christmas story, or sing Christmas carols in your neighborhood. The memories you share will be much more valuable than that wasted hour in front of the TV.
FOCUS ON GIVING INSTEAD OF RECEIVING
I received an email 2 years ago called “The White Envelope” and it really made me think about the true meaning of the holidays. On Christmas morning, a family went downstairs to open their presents and found a white envelope on the mantelpiece. No one was sure who put it there, but they excitedly opened the envelope, thinking it might be another gift. It was, but not for any of them. A letter was attached stating that an anonymous gift had been made to a local community group on behalf of the family. No one ever confessed to making the donation, but each year a family member secretly took a turn in the tradition. And from that moment on, the family was more excited to open the white envelope than their own gifts. What would you put in your white envelope?
TRY ANOTHER HOLIDAY BY SIZE
One of my favorite holiday rituals is celebrating each year according to the tradition of another culture. This does not mean giving up your own religious beliefs or personal preferences, it is just an exercise in expanding your horizons. One year, we celebrated the last day of Hanukkah with some Jewish friends; another year, we read the candles in the kenara every day of Kwanzaa. There are so many interesting holidays during the winter months (solstice, Boxing Day, Ramadan), each with fascinating origins and symbolism.
You can also find hundreds of different ways to celebrate Christmas – try preparing a festive dish from another country or instituting a foreign tradition. Maybe this year, you can put wooden shoes instead of stockings (Holland), or hang a blown glass pickle on your tree (Germany), or have your festive meal at midnight on Christmas Eve (Mexico). This practice will liven up your holidays, give your family something new and interesting to do each year, and keep you from getting bogged down in your celebrations.
TURN TASKS INTO AN ENJOYABLE RITUAL
Many people view the traditional activities of the holiday season—putting up decorations, sending greeting cards, baking treats—as a chore rather than a joy. I can’t think of anything more disgusting than doing something because I HAVE TO DO IT! But I have found that setting the mood makes all the difference. Instead of sitting at a dreary desk with inadequate lighting and a crick in your neck writing cards, take your stationery to a cozy little cafe and enjoy an afternoon. Instead of struggling alone with those tangled strings of lights, invite your friends over for a decorating party. Play festive music, order some food, and serve hot chocolate. You will be surprised how much fun you have!
LEAVE THE KITCHEN
Which party sounds better to you: one where you spend time socializing with your friends and family, or one where you spend all night going back and forth to the kitchen checking, tasting, basting, serving, and cleaning up? I personally would go for the first option! Your loved ones will appreciate you much more if they actually see you than if you serve them a 17-course meal. Remember, Martha Stewart has a paid staff and tons of money and too much time on her hands! Instead of trying to kill yourself entertaining, plan a potluck or progressive dinner (where each guest prepares a dish and you eat from house to house). Or you can even have your party catered. Do whatever it takes so that you can enjoy the celebration together with your guests.
SPEND A QUIET TIME
We often get caught up in the idea that we should always be busy on vacation, go somewhere, do something, we are so busy having amazing experiences that we can’t even remember them all! There is a lot to be said for stopping and standing still. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy lighting some candles, playing soft music and curling up with a book and a cup of tea in front of the fire. That’s my quiet time on vacation. Yours may involve a walk around the neighborhood looking at the lights or time with your kids before bed. Put some silence on your list of rituals – you’ll find that the holidays seem a lot less hectic and more enjoyable.
LEAVE THE SHOPPING CENTER AND RETURN TO NATURE
Unfortunately, most of our Christmas experiences these days seem to be inside a building: concerts, shopping, parties, Festival Of Trees, indoor ice skating – don’t people go outside anymore? Develop some rituals that involve going out into nature. Hang pine cone decorations (covered with peanut butter and birdseed) on trees in the woods as treats for the birds. Go to a Christmas tree farm and cut down your own tree. Build a snowman. Just take a walk in the fresh morning air. Disconnect for a bit and reflect on the real meaning of the season.