Because Christmas wasn’t a big holiday growing up (we had a tree, we gave presents, big whup), I don’t generally engage in holiday stress. Who has the time? But I recognize others do, so:
Share here your best way to avoid stress (holiday or otherwise). I sit on my couch and type in front of the tree and the lights in my living room. Guaranteed, I calm right down. I’ve also started a 1,000-piece puzzle that takes up my dining room table. What’s YOUR secret?
I agree that the tree lights really help calm. I also love a little George Winston Winter, and the smell of something cinnamon/cardamom baking. Opting out of cookie making craziness this year.
We no longer exchange gifts, and due to geography, we spend the holidays at home, just the two of us. (EDIT: The Husband and I usually buy something for the house - this year it's a new set of pots and pans.) We've also cut way back on sending cards. Christmas Eve dinner is take-out (this year is Puerto Rican food!). Christmas Day we usually have bagels for breakfast, and I then throw together a charcuterie that we nosh on during the day. Dinner is Chinese take-out. I may/may not shower. Either way, the day will be spent in my pj's. I like the no fuss/no muss reality of our holidays. We do decorate if for no other reason that I really like my ornaments.
With a few exceptions (kids), we along with family and friends, stopped giving each other holiday gifts about ten years ago. It started with “we don’t need any more stuff”. At first it was just the two of us and expanded to the larger gift exchange group. We do collectively choose a charity/person/cause to contribute to (the two of us participate in an adopt a family program, anonymously). There is some giving of edibles (not that kind) when the mood strikes one of us. At first some of us were shook by the idea. The collective donation thing eased that a little. What really solidified it was everyone reflecting back on the season after the first or second holiday and realizing how much less stressful it was. The other thing that’s happened is there’s a little more spontaneous giving throughout the year. Your aware someone is up to something, you see something in particular and think “so and so could use one of these right now” so you get it for them. The current situation aside, it hasn’t diminished getting together or dampened the merry.
My bride wisely took us out of the obligatory family gatherings from our first Christmas together, rightly pointing out that it WAS our first year of marriage, and for 38 years our Christmas has been with just us and the occasional dog or cat or son (okay, 22 Christmases with that last one is a little more than occasional) and it’s been perfect.
Though I’m not sure producing, directing, designing and opening a world premiere of her latest play quite counts as “relaxing”…
I’ve found that getting old helps a lot. And I’m pretty good at compartmentalizing. I try to do simple gifting throughout the year and I limit my spending. I am not a rich grandma, but I am always there for them if they need me and they know that. But more than anything, I find age is helpful. I only worry about the big things now, like our democracy being eroded in front of our eyes. Everything else is beside the point.
As always I overload myself with all the Christmas things to do. But I try to fret less over how long it takes to get cards out or make a variety of cookies. It gets done when it gets done. That being said, when I finally finished decorating the tree, it started to feel like Christmas. Input the tree lights on every night and marvel at the memories the ornaments bring and of Christmas’ past. It helps a lot, especially this year when there are a lot of health stresses in my home.
I celebrate Yuletide as a long season from (at least) Winter Solstice thru New Years... takes the pressure off any single day. Setting a new record this year since we started gathering and gifting this past weekend yet have a Jan 15 event to close out.
I have been stressed over getting Christmas cards out on time. I very much enjoy hand making cards and frequently my time disappears with things cropping up that need to be done at a scheduled time. So I gave up and make them by or on Christmas day and send them as Happy New Year cards.
I sent the immediate family, which is very small indeed, fruitcakes from a bakery in Corsicana TX that was a favorite of my aunt's. I'm still debating whether to send out some cards. My "decorations" are [electric] candles in the windows and a stocking that the same aunt made for me when I was about 12. I used to do more when I owned a house, but that was almost 13 years ago now.
I am. Anytime something goes wrong, I just have to put in a maintenance request and it gets taken care of. I'm very lucky to have an excellent building owner/management company. I've certainly known worse, both before and since I owned the house. I briefly owned a condo in a 20-unit self-managed building, and I wouldn't recommend that to anyone. It was the worst of both worlds.
My secret is not having a son feeling overwhelmed by final exams at a new high school that, unlike his earlier one, operates like a liberal arts college in terms of subject level and rigor.
I agree that the tree lights really help calm. I also love a little George Winston Winter, and the smell of something cinnamon/cardamom baking. Opting out of cookie making craziness this year.
Yum, cardamom!
We no longer exchange gifts, and due to geography, we spend the holidays at home, just the two of us. (EDIT: The Husband and I usually buy something for the house - this year it's a new set of pots and pans.) We've also cut way back on sending cards. Christmas Eve dinner is take-out (this year is Puerto Rican food!). Christmas Day we usually have bagels for breakfast, and I then throw together a charcuterie that we nosh on during the day. Dinner is Chinese take-out. I may/may not shower. Either way, the day will be spent in my pj's. I like the no fuss/no muss reality of our holidays. We do decorate if for no other reason that I really like my ornaments.
Honestly? That sounds kind of perfect.
With a few exceptions (kids), we along with family and friends, stopped giving each other holiday gifts about ten years ago. It started with “we don’t need any more stuff”. At first it was just the two of us and expanded to the larger gift exchange group. We do collectively choose a charity/person/cause to contribute to (the two of us participate in an adopt a family program, anonymously). There is some giving of edibles (not that kind) when the mood strikes one of us. At first some of us were shook by the idea. The collective donation thing eased that a little. What really solidified it was everyone reflecting back on the season after the first or second holiday and realizing how much less stressful it was. The other thing that’s happened is there’s a little more spontaneous giving throughout the year. Your aware someone is up to something, you see something in particular and think “so and so could use one of these right now” so you get it for them. The current situation aside, it hasn’t diminished getting together or dampened the merry.
I love this.
My bride wisely took us out of the obligatory family gatherings from our first Christmas together, rightly pointing out that it WAS our first year of marriage, and for 38 years our Christmas has been with just us and the occasional dog or cat or son (okay, 22 Christmases with that last one is a little more than occasional) and it’s been perfect.
Though I’m not sure producing, directing, designing and opening a world premiere of her latest play quite counts as “relaxing”…
SO very busy!
But serving her and “self-actualizing” on so many levels actually relaxes me, like a long distance runner who hits her second wind.
I’ve found that getting old helps a lot. And I’m pretty good at compartmentalizing. I try to do simple gifting throughout the year and I limit my spending. I am not a rich grandma, but I am always there for them if they need me and they know that. But more than anything, I find age is helpful. I only worry about the big things now, like our democracy being eroded in front of our eyes. Everything else is beside the point.
Excellent point. We should start focusing on gifts that last. Like a republic.
As always I overload myself with all the Christmas things to do. But I try to fret less over how long it takes to get cards out or make a variety of cookies. It gets done when it gets done. That being said, when I finally finished decorating the tree, it started to feel like Christmas. Input the tree lights on every night and marvel at the memories the ornaments bring and of Christmas’ past. It helps a lot, especially this year when there are a lot of health stresses in my home.
Joan, I am so sorry for the health stresses and I will hold you and yours in my heart.
Thank you so much. Xxoo
Awesome advice! I’m going to set up the puzzle table. 😁❤️
I am not even a tenth of the way done. It’s awesome.
I celebrate Yuletide as a long season from (at least) Winter Solstice thru New Years... takes the pressure off any single day. Setting a new record this year since we started gathering and gifting this past weekend yet have a Jan 15 event to close out.
That sounds heavenly.
I have been stressed over getting Christmas cards out on time. I very much enjoy hand making cards and frequently my time disappears with things cropping up that need to be done at a scheduled time. So I gave up and make them by or on Christmas day and send them as Happy New Year cards.
What a great idea. You still get to create but not on such a strict deadline.
Exactly and thanks
I sent the immediate family, which is very small indeed, fruitcakes from a bakery in Corsicana TX that was a favorite of my aunt's. I'm still debating whether to send out some cards. My "decorations" are [electric] candles in the windows and a stocking that the same aunt made for me when I was about 12. I used to do more when I owned a house, but that was almost 13 years ago now.
Are you loving the renting life?
I am. Anytime something goes wrong, I just have to put in a maintenance request and it gets taken care of. I'm very lucky to have an excellent building owner/management company. I've certainly known worse, both before and since I owned the house. I briefly owned a condo in a 20-unit self-managed building, and I wouldn't recommend that to anyone. It was the worst of both worlds.
My secret is not having a son feeling overwhelmed by final exams at a new high school that, unlike his earlier one, operates like a liberal arts college in terms of subject level and rigor.
I cannot implement this secret this yer.
Oh. Yikes.
Well, my son and I trust each other, and we're working as fruitfully as may be, but it's not exactly relaxing. Luckily I'm naturally pretty chill.
It’s been a tough year. The lights help me but I’m not baking nearly as much as in the past.