Four days until Christmas and I’m sure stress levels are high out there! I hope that in the chaos that surrounds Christmas you are able to slow down during your day and enjoy the moment. When I feel overwhelmed I take a few deep breaths and realize how lucky I am to have my family, a roof over my head, and friends and loved ones both near and far. I also think about the Dr. Seuss book “Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?” to acknowledge there are always people less fortunate than ourselves and to appreciate our lives for being precious.
If possible, take some time out for yourself and your family to bake and decorate some cookies with your kids, work on a gingerbread house kit, or take them to ring a bell for the Salvation Army. Each of these things may only take a couple of hours out of your week but will be one of the most memorable moments of your days leading up to Christmas. We have decided to try a new activity Christmas Eve–to decorate several gingerbread house kits and order pizzas with family, aunts, uncles and cousins visiting from Virginia. This seems like a fun and low stress enough plan that it may start a new family tradition! Do you have other ideas for taking a more stress-free approach to Christmas?
Happy Holidays, Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas, Happy Winter Solstice… whatever your beliefs I hope you can take a moment and enjoy!
