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Simplify The HolidaysJust Ask A ChildIf you want to learn how to Simplify The Holidays, just ask your children this question..."What do the Holidays mean to you?"I encourage you to really listen to their answers. Kids just don't worry about all the "extras" like stocking stuffers, wrapping paper and window clings. And, although many DO think about the gifts, what they really love is the anticipation of a very special celebration. So ask them the question and you more than likely will hear some of the following answers:
Now ask YOURSELF what the Holidays mean to you...Ah Ha!Not quite so idealistic or simple? More likely it's accellerated...
Lots of us INTEND to Simplify the Holidays, slow things down, shop earlier and spend less. But what really happens? We get caught up in the whirlwind trying to do everything "just so" and exhausting ourselves in the process. So if you want a Blueprint To Simplify The Holidays, write down your children's answers and make a plan from them. Simplifying the Holidays CAN happen but realistically, it will take a few Holiday Seasons to make the necessary adjustments. A Family Goal to Simplify the Holidays has endless benefits, the ongoing result being... YOU MAY ACTUALLY HAVE TIME TO ENJOY THEM!
Organize Your Thoughts And WishesTry to do this before Thanksgiving... Take out 7 sheets of looseleaf notebook paper. Write down 6 things you would like to change about the Holidays on the first sheet. Next, order them from 1 to 6 with 1 as your highest priority or biggest wish. From this list, write down one priority per sheet and put in the order you ranked them. Under each heading, list as many thoughts as you can on how you might change each of them. Really spend some time here, reminding yourself how you and your family will benefit from successfully changing these things...More Time To Enjoy. Add ideas and thoughts for each goal over the next week, or just focus on one goal per day. In just one week you will have the foundation for your Simplify The Holidays Blueprint. Call it "Simplify The Holidays...Enjoy Them Like A Child!" or whatever you prefer. But be sure give it a title for easy reference. Add to this whenever something new comes to mind and ESPECIALLY after each Holiday Season. Why bother with all of this? To Get Back To The Real Meaning Of The Season... Faith, Family, Friends, Fellowship... It's Worth It!Now...Get Everything All In One Place!Here are some things you may want to record.
THERE'S SO MUCH TO REMEMBER!!!
Start And Use A Holiday PlannerPut all of your notes in a simple binder using dividers for each category that makes sense to you. Or, consider getting a Holiday Organizing Planner. I use Maria Gracia's Christmas Holiday Planner but there are many other variations available. Choose one that seems right for you. Making or using a Holiday Planner helps you to get and stay more organized. Why? Because you have everything you need to do and remember all in one place. After a year or two of sticking with it, you will undoubtedly experience a less stressful, more relaxed and simpler Holiday Season. In the Christmas Holiday Planner, you can choose the categories that apply just to Your Celebration. You can write everything down in it and not have to remember so much! In the Christmas Holiday Planner, there are great tips and ideas for really putting JOY back into the Holidays. You can't go wrong using any Holiday Planner and you will want to use it again and again. Why go through another stressful, rushed and hectic Holiday Season
Get Your Holiday Season Organized!***If you do decide to use a Holiday Planner, remember to add your 6 priorities from above. You will want to review this every year.At first, it may seem a bit awkward to remember to put things in your Planner/Binder, but after a short time it will become second nature...like putting lights on a tree! And in a year or two it will be so rewarding to see how far you have come! Your Planner/ Binder will become your Family's "Holiday Central". Remember to keep everything ALL IN ONE PLACE! and it won't be long until you can answer the question "What do the Holidays mean to you?" with peace and joy in your heart again.
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