Enjoy the Process

This is my catch phrase for the week.  Ok.  The month. :)  How many times does the month of December roll around and we get that ache in our stomach thinking of all the busyness it brings? Oh?? Me neither.  But suppose we did?? :)

I have consciously unplugged from that mayhem for several years now.  I've pared down the Christmas decorations, chosen one or two really fun parties and events to drag my family to, and simplified gift giving.  It helps a ton.  Usually my daughter and I have a few baking sessions where we make our favorite goodies and take plates of them around to the neighbors.  Usually the whole family trundles to a volunteering opportunity for an afternoon followed by hot cocoa and Netflix rebellion night.  

Our focus is much more on experiences with each other rather than getting.  In fact.   I'm not a very good getter.  Shopping in real stores during this time of year deflates me faster than unplugging those adorable (ahem) inflatable Santa figurines that dot the lawns around here.  I can shop online and send gifts to my distant relates and friends, but shopping for the sake of shopping just about takes away every last vestige of Christmas cheer.  It's not that I'm a scrooge, I just cannot handle browsing.  Really ever.  And the whole thought of battling the crazed mall shoppers over parking, checkout lines, and shopping carts??  My heart rate just skipped up over a hundred just considering it.  There are not enough Valium salt licks in the world to make that an enjoyable proposition.

One of my favorite family traditions that we made up all by ourselves is how we do our Christmas stockings.  Pure genius as far as I'm concerned.  We hang our stockings with care.  But we fill them and open them on New Year's Day.  This means that we can use the week after Christmas to run to the mall (first time all season, when everyone else is standing in long return lines mwahahaha!) for a shopping blitz and scoop up all the year end sale items that stores are itching to get rid of.  If one knows what one is doing, one can get up to 75% + off items like lotions, shaving creams, jewelry, candles, makeup, etc.  All sorts of useful things that I know my family will use all year long.  We run into the stores, grab what we need to bless each other's stockings, and then hit the theater for a cozy movie.  When New Year's Day rolls around, everyone gets about 3 minutes alone with the stockings to cram in the wonders we've collected.  Then we open them.  It's great fun and keeps the spirit going for one more week.  AND IT'S CHEAP!! :) And afterward The Husband usually whips up his famous frittata and buttermilk biscuits.  Traditions are fantastic I tell  ya!!

So when this month threatens to get beyond me, and I start comparing myself to other many wonderful Moms that I know with their lovely lovely decor and preparations,  I must remind myself to enjoy the process.  To trust that over the years we HAVE come up with ways to celebrate the gift of Christ's birth and spending quality time together.  Each family has their own way.  There is no keeping up with anyone else (I need to remember this the other 11 months too).

I think we all have enough stress in our daily lives.  Why create even more for this one or two month ending to every year?  Remember that.  Keep it simple so you can be loving towards the people you are doing all these fun things for and with.  Create a season where you can enjoy the process.  It's so worth it!  I'm still working on getting it completely right, but I like where we're headed!!

Happy Holiday Season to you and yours, however that looks to you and yours...

...make it a great day!