Simplifying the Holidays

Welcome to Holiday Week at :simple:balance:! This time of year can pose a lot of challenges to finding balance; so we thought it would be helpful to tackle some of them head-on and early. The posts this week will be dedicated to finding balance during the holiday season… with a focus on simplicity, celebration, and priority placed on the things that are most important. We are looking forward to contributions from some of our guest writers this week, and as always, we welcome your suggestions and feedback, as well. So grab a cup of hot cocoa, turn on some holiday music, and join us throughout the week at :simple:balance: to get in the spirit simply.

To start off Holiday Week, we will be looking at some tips to scale down your activities, find enjoyment in the things you value, and relax during the hustle and bustle. There is no denying that this time of year can create pressure, throw all schedules out the window, and feel like a hurried celebration rather than a genuine one. The following are ten ideas for simplifying things, as well as examples of how I have been or will be implementing them.

1. Sit down with your family, your friends, or by yourself, and write out the top three activities you would like to participate in this holiday season. This is better done earlier rather than later because the rest of your planning will revolve around these three things. There will always be multiple parties, get-togethers, shopping trips, and other activities to choose from that will quickly fill up your calendar. To make sure you maintain your priorities and spend your limited time and energy where you want, decide ahead of time what is most important. [For me: (1) be at home Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, (2) spend an evening driving around town to see local holiday lights, (3) host a small get-together for close friends.]
2. Start planning your gift-giving early… really, really early. Maybe this means being on the look-out for gifts at sales you see throughout the year, or maybe it means talking with your loved ones about how gifts will be exchanged well before you see them at Thanksgiving. Plan your budget for gift-giving so you can save appropriately throughout the year. And stick with that budget when the time comes. (If you haven’t done that already, be realistic now with what you have to spend or give.) Write out a list of the people you will be giving to with notes about what they like or ideas for things you could give them. As you get a gift for them, write it on the list, go ahead and wrap it (if you’re really motivated!), and cross the person off your list. [For me: I maintain my list throughout the year, and as ideas come to me or I pick things up, I log it on my list so I don’t forget. When holiday time arrives, I feel more organized and like I am a step ahead.]
3. Consider handmade gifts for your loved ones. I have learned that the old adage, “it’s the thought that counts” is so, so true. I would much rather receive something handmade especially for me than some expensive store-bought thing. When someone takes the time and energy to make me something, I truly feel loved. Use your talents or learn a new hobby to make some gifts for your loved ones. Spend relaxing time at home on these gifts rather than hurried time in traffic or in a mall searching for the “perfect” gift. [For me: I am hand-making most of my gifts this year… from spiced nuts to kids’ music CDs to bath goodies. All simple, but love-filled.]
4. If you don’t have the time or the energy to hand-make your gifts, consider a charitable donation. We recently posted about a great organization you can consider, as well as more information about charitable giving. Check it out! [For me: My family is making a donation to a charity special to us in honor of our loved ones. We will write a letter to them describing what we have done and how the donation will be used; they will get that letter as their gift to unwrap. I am also encouraging my loved ones to do the same!]
5. Cook in bulk! When things are hectic, who has time to make a healthy meal at the end of a busy day? Running through a fast-food drive-through is not a great option, though, so make it realistic that you could eat something wholesome. Starting before the holiday season, double or triple the recipes you normally make, and freeze the extra in meal-size portions. Once the busy season hits, you will have some meals ready-made to thaw and enjoy. [For me: I am making a big pot of vegetable soup tonight… two-thirds of which will go into the freezer for use over the next few weeks. Yum…]
6. If you make holiday treats, use the same philosophy as in #5 above. To avoid late-night cookie factories in your kitchen, make dough or finished treats ahead of time, freeze them, and then thaw when you are ready to enjoy or share. [For me: I have some pumpkin puree frozen from last month that will soon be used in a yummy pumpkin bread recipe that is a tradition in my family.]
7. Find time for the things that nourish and fulfill you at other times of the year. Exercise, meditation, downtime with a loved one, and hobbies are easily neglected when the holidays are in full-swing. Schedule these activities for yourself and work the holiday business around them. In order to accomplish and enjoy all you want, you have to be nourished. [For me: This one is a poignant reminder! I’ve not been good about keeping my exercise routine lately, so this week is devoted to re-engaging in those early morning work-outs.]
8. Get enough rest and sleep! Parties and other late-night events may interfere with a normal sleep schedule, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get enough rest overall. Keep a regular sleep routine, as you are able, and pay attention to what your body is telling you. You won’t be able to enjoy the holidays if you can’t keep your eyes open! [For me: Another good reminder! I spent last week finishing a handmade gift that had to be delivered this weekend, so that meant a couple of late nights. I am getting back on schedule, and can already tell that my body is thanking me.]
9. Dress festively. This may sound silly, but it truly is a simple way to celebrate the holidays without much time or energy. Go through your closet or drawers and pick out some clothes that make you feel good about yourself and bring our your holiday spirit. Wear them whenever you need some holiday cheer. [For me: I got a pedicure this weekend and am now sporting red, sparkly toes!]
10. Create a holiday tradition for yourself and/or your family. Think back to things that you did with your family – do any of those hold value for you now? Would you like to repeat them with your family this year? Or consider something new that you can create as a time-honored tradition and symbol of the season for your family. Some examples include: making an ornament each year for your Christmas tree, singing holiday songs around the fire, baking holiday goodies and sharing with residents at a local nursing home, collecting gifts for a child in need, building a family gingerbread house, or volunteering at a local soup kitchen or food pantry. [For me: Cutting down a Christmas tree at a local tree farm, decorating it to the sounds of holiday music, while sharing a cup of hot cocoa or tea with my family.]

Happy holidays! What ideas or suggestions do you have for keeping them simple and joyous?


(Photos by ~*~...nicole...~*~, tamaskoszo, The Gifted Photographer)