 |
| Click to shop my Christmas doormat, gingham rug, and slide-on sneakers from my LIKETOKNOW.it! |
This post was inspired by Brighton Keller of brightontheday.com, who basically gave me permission to think that the holidays are allowed to be less-than-joy-filled sometimes. We should all stop pretending that this time of year is anything like a Hallmark Christmas movie. After all, the women in those plots are very rarely seven months pregnant with chronic night sweats. I can't wear cute flannel pajama sets and perfectly curled hair to bed. I will expire.
1. Give intentionally.
A common theme I keep hearing from family and friends is that they have just accumulated the most stuff. My parents recently downsized from their five bedroom house to a two bedroom "treehouse," aka an above garage apartment tucked away in the woods.
We just moved into our house in August and I'm already feeling overwhelmed and overstuffed. There are so many things we needed for the baby, and so many special gifts that we received. It feels like the entire house has been taken over, and it's making me realize which things are important to keep and what is just stuff.
I don't want to give presents for Christmas that will just turn into more stuff. Not only is it wasteful, but we tend to hold onto things not because they bring us joy or serve a specific purpose but because someone special gave it to us on a special occasion. Instead, I've been trying to really listen and come up with some single use presents and experiences. It might not look like as much when I show up on Christmas morning, but I know it'll mean more.
2. Stop trying to do it all.
Even though this last trimester has had me crazy tired and usually pretty sore, I know that I'm still in the phase of life when it'll be easiest to travel around and see family for the holidays. No baby bags to pack, no nap and feeding schedules to work around.
But I don't want to set the precedent (mostly in my own head) that the holidays mean you have to be everywhere for everyone, especially on Christmas Day. This should be a joy-filled, relaxing time, but it won't be if you're constantly worried about expectations.
So, now that my Christmas shopping is done (and I saved money by getting less "stuff" for people this year) I spent a little money on myself. For every hour that I spend at holiday gatherings, running events at the shop, or navigating stores during this crazy season, I'm trying to spend the same amount of time being alone and treating myself. After all, I know that alone time will be a thing of the past come January.
So, now that my Christmas shopping is done (and I saved money by getting less "stuff" for people this year) I spent a little money on myself. For every hour that I spend at holiday gatherings, running events at the shop, or navigating stores during this crazy season, I'm trying to spend the same amount of time being alone and treating myself. After all, I know that alone time will be a thing of the past come January.
3. Make better traditions.
With all of the new baby stuff taking over our house, Tanner and I decided not to decorate the outside of our house for Christmas very much. It's something we really enjoy doing, and all the neighbors have really been piling on the pressure as they put up pretty garlands, icicle lights, wreaths, and trees on their porches.
But now, it all just seems like more junk.
Even though it's a tradition that we'll definitely miss, there are other family traditions that mean more to us. They don't feel as stereotypically "Christmas-y," but playing four square with the cousins, taking the dogs for a group walk through the woods, and exchanging old stories with grandma are just as important. No trips to the attic necessary, and one less transaction from Hobby Lobby on my bank statement.
No comments