Simplify Christmas

The Coffee Cluster discussed how overwhelmed people get at this time of year.  The discussion was all over the table with “its a yearly event so it shouldn’t come as a big surprise” to “this can be such a sad time of year for people”.  Well, there was no disputing either statement.   Yes, the holidays arrive every December but people are also living lives the other 11 months a year.  Not everyone one (hint at the table) is a planner.  Others rush and are stressed this time of year and there are even a few people that get off being overbooked and having too much on their plate.  Yes, there are those people.

How can we get to a happy medium and enjoy the season?  What can we do to take some stress off?  A few ideas batted around the table were lower expectations, set a limit on gift giving and start earlier.  It is all easier said than done for some people.  The planner said create lists early – most of us know who we purchase gifts for so look all year around for that unique item.  Another idea was have a discussion about purchasing family gifts or donate in someone’s name to a charity. 

What about cutting back on decorating?  There were moans around the table, as there is an expectation of pulling it all together for people.  In that case get “these people” to help decorate if they want the place to look like Christmas.  Yes, we can be brutal at the table.  What about a tree decorating party – we did have that one year and it went over well.  Make it a potluck of course!  Delegate was tossed around to frowns and smiles.

Recap of what we went away with was to have a tree decorating party one evening next week for someone overwhelmed.  Another person is going to bake a large batch of short breads and divide up.  We are all going to go through our decorations when we pull them out this year and toss anything we feel is no longer us and simplify.  A few of us are going to go shopping one evening right after work next week. 

So is there anything you can give up?  Delegate?  Get rid of?  Simplify this holiday season?  Do it.