Simple holiday tips for busy families – really?

Two Christmas cards arrived in November. The neighborhood is aglow with colorful lights, garland, red bows and poinsettias. Newscasters announce our city parade, and I feel like Scrooge!

Do you (or someone you know) feel overwhelmed?

Making time to decorate and prepare for holidays is often difficult  There is no time or energy left after the necessary chores for holiday preparation.  Allow me to offer a few tips that have helped me have peace about holiday expectations.

First, kudos to those who can keep family traditions.

I love reading the chatter and looking at the fine cooking some of you are doing right now. Truly I miss that, I do! I’m learning to rejoice at the memories of days past and move on to great times ahead. Here’s how to do it.

#1 Determine what is important to you personally.

The very first step is considering what is important to you and what you actually can do.  You cannot do it all;  changes have to be made as you take on new responsibilities or face health issues. Be honest in evaluating difference between others’ expectations and your own wants and needs for this time in your life.

#2 Learn to simplify.

If decorating has always been important to you but you cannot drag everything from the storage this year, simplify. Find one or two simple decorations to focus on – perhaps a treasured keepsake. For my needs, I cleared a small table in a prominent place;  added a festive tablecloth, small nativity, Dollar Store greenery and candles. It is amazing what one small seasonal display can do to transform an entire room. Keep it simple, uncluttered, and out of the way.

#3 Budget time and money with these easy tips.

Still not feeling the season? If one tiny spot just isn’t enough for you, consider adding a little holiday color in each area of your home. Make big bows from a roll of colorful ribbon to add to plants and picture frames about the house. Inexpensive greenery draped over a shelf adds color and charm. Tuck in a few poinsettias and you are finished! (Here is the winning tip: take time to dust, then put seasonal air fresheners in each room.)

#4 Snacks a must yet no time to bake?

Holiday preparations are incomplete without snacks! We all love them. Plan ahead and again, keep it simple. People come to see you, not check out your latest holiday recipe. Keep a shelf or small table loaded with beautiful paper napkins, plates and cups. Add pretty baskets of packaged nuts, mints, trail mix, jerky. Again the dollar store offers cans of dark chocolate rolled wafers, sourdough pretzels, and mints.

From the grocery, decorated cookies, cheese sticks, fresh fruit and veggie sticks. Be sure to have assorted teas or hot chocolate mixes. If you don’t make coffee, purchase coffee singles (decaf and regular). With little effort you have a beautiful spread that says, “I’m glad you are here.

#5 I saved the best for the last – the most important preparation.

The most important holiday preparation is a merry heart. The Lord said, “a merry heart does good like a medicine.” A cheerful hug and sincere smile goes a long way to remind others of the true meaning of the season.

Praying you will step back and plan for a beautiful December filled with the Greatest Treasure of all—God’s love.

Hugs,

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