Christmas Season = Stress
Tis the season to be jolly. At least that is what the song says. But for most people this is the season to be a bit stressed. I know for me it is. It seems Christmas is totally stress-filled.
Don’t get me wrong I love Christmas. I love everything about Christmas. I love the decorations, the lights, the trees, the songs and the movies. I can’t get enough. I have my house totally decorated. We have our Christmas village out. Evening is so pretty with the village and tree blazing with color. It is beautiful. We even went to the local park the other night and drove through and looked at the lights. Last year we even drove over 3 hours to look at a world famous park with decorations and were excited that we actually got to see it, there was a long line just to get in. We would probably go back this year except I am having surgery next week and we just can’t fit it in.
BUT – with all that said, the part I don’t like about Christmas is the stress of presents. It happens every year. Christmas has just gotten very commercial over the years. It tends to be extremely materialistic. As a mom and grandma I stress about making sure everybody has an equal amount of presents and I have spent an equal amount on the presents. DRIVES me crazy! I guess it wouldn’t be so bad if I only had a couple kids but we have 12 kids and 15 grandkids, thrown in son and daughter in laws and a hubby. I don’t ever want anyone to feel slighted. I want everyone to feel they got their fair share. It is HARD!! It really takes a lot of the joy out of the season. And then there is the part about trying to figure out what they “really” want. Crazy making. Do they tell me what they want – not so much. Mom/Grandma should know – right? NOT. I have finally given up on being a mind reader. Not one of the things I am gifted with. Wish I was, it would help. And don’t get me started on the giving of money and gift cards. I, too, have given in and done that way to many times. How personal is that – it just isn’t.
Life used to be so much more simple. When the kids were little it was a lot easier. I knew what they wanted or I just got them what I wanted them to have. It didn’t seem to be as focused on the presents. OK, I do remember being stressed to make sure they all had the same equal amount of presents, and I always bought them way too much. But overall it was just easier.
I just wish we could all go back to a simpler time. A time when the reason for the season was truly Jesus. A time when we all focused on the real meaning of Christmas. We took the time to read the Christmas Story and actually talk about it. A time when we visited with friends. Made cookies by the dozen and delivered them when we went visiting. A time when we took the time to send actual Christmas cards in the mail instead of sending emails and text messages. A time when we could relax and enjoy the season. I really wish we could slow down as a society. I wish we could go back to our roots before it is too late and our kids and grandkids are too warped by the busy hectic world and can’t get back to the things that are really important. The basic things of life.
So when you get so sucked up into the whirlwind of the Christmas Stress. When you find yourself feeling frantic and hectic. Take a moment, sit down, have a glass of eggnog and relax. Listen to some Christmas songs of old. Maybe watch a sappy Christmas movie or 2. How about White Christmas? That one always does the trick. Focus on the fact that if it weren’t for Jesus being born in a manger, we wouldn’t be having the season to begin with.
So, my wish for you is to take the time to unwind and enjoy the Christmas season before it is too late and it’s another one down the drain.
And if you are interested in finding a way to pay off all that Christmas debt when it starts rolling in. Check out DS Domination. It just might be your ticket to getting rid of at least that aspect of the stress of the season.
Charyl
