Decked Out & Stressed Out by Michelle S. Cox

by Michelle S. Cox WWW.JUST18SUMMERS.COM

THE GLOSSY MAGAZINE IMAGES, THE PINTEREST IDEAS AND FACEBOOK POSTS FROM FRIENDS SHARING THEIR GORGEOUS CHRISTMAS DÉCOR INSPIRED ME.

My planning began. Why, before I was done, my house would look like North Pole Central! My family would have the perfect Christmas, and I would sail through those days with joy and delight.

I tried. Oh, how I tried. But I basically plodded my way through the Christmas season with unrealistic expectations in a fog of exhaustion.

I snapped at my family because I was stressed. And I missed the most important moments of the holidays: celebrating the birth of Jesus and spending time and making memories with my family.

So, maybe what I’ve learned will help you avoid the Christmas-has-gotta-be-perfect bandwagon.

1. First, ask your family what traditions, foods or decorations are important to them. Keep those things and don’t worry about everything else.

2. Instead of trying to do all the tasks by yourself, let your family help you. Sure, the garland might be a little lopsided, but they’ll have memories of doing it with you.

3. Invite them to make cookies with you. (Storebought dough is fine!) Those will be priceless memories someday.

4. Gather as a family and put together a Christmas puzzle.

5. Drink hot chocolate and sing carols together.

6. Cozy up together in front of the tree and enjoy the beautiful ambiance.

7. Let one of the older children tell the Christmas story to the younger ones using the pieces of the Nativity set.

Make it a time of joy for your family, not a time of exhausting over-activity. You’ll be so glad you did!

LH