I don't know about you, but I find it easy to go over the top when celebrating.
I want to do it all.
I enjoy decorating, so I want my home to be festooned for whatever holiday or season we're celebrating. I also enjoy cooking, so I want to create a wonderful holiday meal or party menu, even better if it is beautiful or filled with memories. I enjoy traditions...and so do the others in my family, so we may have a list a mile long of all the things we want to do!
But trying to do it all can lead to stress...even if it is joyful stress! (Can anyone relate to that absurd dichotomy of emotions?)
One way that I have found to rein in my celebrating self is this:
Choose one or two elements that are important to the celebration.
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It is best to get input from the other members of the family. I'll ask, "What is most important for you in this celebration?"
What one event do you want to participate in?
What's the one gift you'd like to receive for your birthday?
Name one cookie that you can't live without this Christmas?
What tradition (or a couple of traditions) is something that you definitely want to keep?
Then you have discovered what is most meaningful.
Oh, you can always add something back in if time or energy, finances or enthusiasm allows. But then you will have ensured that the important is included.
Because it is not about "over the top."
Because it is not about "over the top."
It is about "marking a notable occasion with gratitude and rejoicing."
SOOOOOOOOO true! It's NOT about "over the top"...Great questions to ask.
ReplyDeleteMay He bless your simplicity with HIS abundance today and always ♥
We have simplified over the years. We realized that we want to ENJOY the holidays and not look back and realize that we were so busy doing that we didn't take time to be in the moment.
ReplyDeleteLike you, we love to celebrate! When we all get going on ideas - well I know you know! But we have found we can still celebrate and invite others in and share our joy with them, without it being "over the top."
As I always say "People don't care what your serving - the just like to be invited!"
Great series Cheryl! It would make a great ebook!
Deanna
This is one area that I rarely struggle. I'm more likely to go too low-key! It does make sense to channel your energies into the things that are most important.
ReplyDeleteYou are so very wise,Cheryl. I struggle every year, only the last few have I realized that it is OK to say no and not go overboard. I have been doing less and less anyway, but I will do one or two really time-honored or well-loved traditions. xo
ReplyDeleteThis is very wise and exactly what I have done for a few years now. I asked John what Thanksgiving looked like this year. Perhaps I should have been more specific because he said 28F with six inches of snow! We finally came in for a real landing...Thanksgiving means being together and turkey and pumpkin pie are definite requirements. Blast! I could have done without the pie.
ReplyDeleteIn your family, I imagine that it is lovely when more than one person lands on anything. = )
Well said and something to think about.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed this so much, I used to fuss about every detail and was so tired by the time we were really ready to celebrate, I m so thankful I soon learned what was important.Thanks for sharing.
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