Simple Joys for the Holiday Season
Posted: Saturday, December 13, 2008
by Val Silver
TapInfinity
My wish for the holiday season is that we will be filled with joy. It seems like the holidays just add more stress instead- there's crowds, shopping, decorating, cooking... in excess! This is an invitation to step back and relax. Let the season bring "tidings of comfort and joy" and "peace on earth" starting within ourselves and in our homes.
Here are a few holiday tips to help you relax and refocus.
+Sip some tea. Companies like Celestial Seasonings offers yummy holiday teas. They include spices like peppermint, cinnamon and ginger that help digestion, immunity, circulation and warm you up. A little honey makes them extra tasty. Watch the snow fall or the fire roar for a few quiet minutes while you enjoy your tea and reflect on the joys of the season.
+Rent or tune-in to a feel-good holiday movie. They often cue us in to the real meaning of Christmas and fill the airways this time of year. Snuggle up with the family and some hot chocolate Stir in some marshmallows and a peppermint candy for an inexpensive, decadent treat.
+Bring an attitude of gratitude to your holiday chores. As you shop and wrap gifts, think of the receivers and offer thanks for them. Focus on something you appreciate about them. As you decorate and bake cookies, give thanks for your home and food and those who will enjoy all you have done.
+Do those activities which bring you and your loved ones joy and see if you can eliminate some of the others. Why experience holiday stress by doing too much and spending too much when it often is unnecessary? Everyone will enjoy a few activities richly lived, more than many done hurriedly in stress.
+The holiday season is a great time to perform random acts of kindness. Let a harried mom get in front of you in line. Turn off the TV and play with your pets or children. Smile at the salesclerk. Everyone, including you, will feel better for it.
+Enjoy your favorite holiday scents. Natural scents that trigger happy memories reduce stress and give you the chance to "relive" joyful moments. Try vanilla for a feeling of well-being (and to reduce cravings!) and the uplifting oil of pine. What smells better than pies and cookies baking in the oven or a fresh Christmas tree? Aromatherapy candles and potpourri can help you enjoy these scents throughout the season.
+If you are tempted to buy a young child an expensive gift that will stress you and the family budget remember that children often leave these gifts under the tree while they enjoy many hours playing inside the big cardboard box that packaged it. Sometimes the most enjoyable gifts are the simplest. And when you play along, they are always the most favorite.
+Share traditions and stories with your family and friends. Children and adults love the feeling of connection and continuity that comes when we share the familiar in our lives. We often sit around the table at Christmas telling stories from our past that we've all heard before and hope to hear again.
Here's wishing you and yours all the joys of the season. Please feel free to share your favorite holiday tips and traditions in the comment section.
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Top-level comments on this article: (8 total)Wonderfully inspirational article, Val. We often look forward to nights cold enough to put a fire in the fireplace and warm up some hot chocolate and turn on a good Christmas movie. I love it.Thanks for sharing and have a great Christmas.SandraMakes me feel all cozy just thinking about it! Thanks for writing.
Val,This is a great, quick guide. I know that I practice many of these and it always works out nice and right for me during the season..and any other season as well.Thanks for writing
A simple and pure apprach that all can follow or implement.
A timely and soothing article Val. Thanks for this welcomed Christmas gift.
Taking the time to appreciate ourselves and the people we meet everyday could make the good feelings of Christmas last all year. Gift wrapping our daily lives in caring and sharing and appreciating others could make those yearly "random acts of seasonal kindness" you mentioned in your article a lifestyle for everyone.
Merry Christmas to you and yours Val.Thanks for commenting. Merry Christmas to you too. Love your metaphors.
Great. How about just getting together with friends and family and thanking God for what he has given us and for letting us see out another year. I think that's worth celebrating don't you?Absolutely! Thanks for sharing a suggestion. I love adding ideas to my list!
Good advice, Val. I like to bake and start in November. I deep freeze most all I bake and give it away at Christmas. Especially those who don't have time to bake, or don't like to bake are glad to receive a container of goodies.Great idea, thanks for sharing one of your tips. I know I'd love to be on the receiving end of some of those cookies!
A great article Val, and with great suggestions as well. I agree with all of them but most especially the next to last one. I guess many have called me cheapskate and scrooge, but we always gave our children several small gifts rather than one expensive one. They always had another to switch to when they became bored wit one. And the cost, has nothing to do with their becoming bored.I think kids like to open lots of presents. As for the box- I have a photo of my sons when they were little having quite a time in the cardboard boxes some presents came in. Cost-$0. And when they are that young, they really could care what something costs.
Hi Val, these are great tips. I am reminded to follow each and every one of them. God bless you and yours and may the blessings of Christ enrich your life in amazing and new ways this Christmas and coming year! Teresa
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