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12-26-2015 10:41 PM
I saw that doing less actually resulted in the perfect Christmas for all 4 of us. Essentially, I just let Christmas happen, and when it arrived, enjoyed it in a laid back, stress free style.
I started shopping in April. What I purchased was done online, with free shipping, and every gift I gave was in this house before Thanksgiving. I did Christmas cards in October, wrote personal notes in every card, and mailed them on Black Friday. Our decorations in and out are extremely basic and simple; I like that my house is not cluttered and screaming Christmas everywhere I look. After nearly 7 months of home projects, I got all my boxes unpacked and cleared away, but refused to pull out more boxes in the basement in order to put up a tree---my teacher daughter brought her small tree from her classroom, set it up in the corner, plugged it in and we were good to go.
I was relaxed, clear headed, and did not forget a single thing on my grocery list. I cooked only the exact foods requested by my family, and I did not bake. I did not stress; had no worries, or concerns, nor did I push myself to my limits trying to orchestrate everything. I gathered with my Mom and siblings for a relaxed visit yesterday, then came home to change into my pajamas and robe, and put my feet up.
I have just focused on enjoying every part of this holiday with my family, and let go of some of the things that show Christmas is here, but do not affect the Christmas I feel inside my heart.
12-26-2015 11:21 PM
I put out less decorations this year and like the looked much better - going for a just red and white theme.
I baked early. I delivered and mailed Christmas cookies two weeks before Christmas. In fact, I had everything done - shopping, wrapping, baking, mailing, decorating - two weeks before and then I just had fun!
12-26-2015 11:54 PM
For me this year -- LESS IS MORE!
Brick & Mortar stores are the way to go! Macy's was wonderful. I did alot of online shopping and every package arrived as promised. I also used Amazon -- although the receipents gifts were NOT wrapped I didn't care.
I purchased for my GD and sent directly to their house, they wrapped them. And everyone enjoys food gc's. I think that is what excited them the most! BEST PART: FREE SHIPPING!!!
Baking: Well, although my family loves homemade goodies NOT everyone else does! I baked alot and I didn't eat 1 cookie. I gave away a few trays and mailed a few home ($$$$$) with presents and tomorrow I will have a tray of cookies out and everyone will be able to take them home. (I provide the bags).
Christmas Day - no more big dinners. We've decided if I travel home will do a our Open House the Sunday before -- or Christmas Eve.
(Preparing for 13 Christmas Day took 2 days and didn't even enjoy as I'm such a perfectionist) - I missed Christmas Day totally spending it in the kitchen.
Decor: Enjoy the season but on a smaller scale. This year I displayed only what I really liked. Next year, I've already decided I'm doing the outside differently and time to donate some of the "old standbys". (Believe it or not i'm the only one on my street who decorated, of course, many are away and the others are too old).
I had to go out to a few places today, including WM. I can't believe I didn't buy 1 Christmas item NOR was I tempted.
I guess I'm hitting that age that I just don't need nor want anything else.
Tomorrow I'm having 25-30 for a open house and believe me come Monday I'm going to RELAX and ENJOY a day off!
Hope all had a wonderful Christmas and looking forward to a Happy Healthy New Year!
12-27-2015 12:18 AM
Get some movies to watch on TV (the programming was just awful this year on all channels)
12-27-2015 05:55 AM - edited 12-27-2015 06:00 AM
@Mominohio wrote:you will be putting to use for the next one?
For me, I did cut down on the quantity of cookies and candy I baked. I still made the same large variety, just less of each kind. I thought the cut back would be sufficient, as we give away less now than in the past, and we want to eat less of them (really only want them in the house for about a week, otherwise we over indulge). Even with the cutback, I had/have too many. So next year, cutting back a little more.
So what experiences did you have this year, that will influence what you plan for next year?
I agree on the food. We cut out a few dishes once we found out how everyone was eating now and I think it was right on. Maybe knowing that, some other women won't overdue next year too and it'll be less work and stress for SOME. Everyone knows what they need to do. Feel like most are saying, "less is more" and I agree. It cuts the exhaustion out and frustration. Simple is a lot better!!
12-27-2015 09:03 AM - edited 12-27-2015 09:07 AM
As far as baking, next year I am doing --- NONE! I baked for the majority of one day and was worn out. I have to say and I am not being rude, but people didn't appreciate it at all and so much was just left and not eaten or even touched. So, next year, I will buy a few and that's it. It's not worth the expense, effort and time.
I am not buying a bunch of wrapping paper and cards like I always do. I still have plenty left and need to use what I have.
I was very excited about Christmas this year as I always am and got disappointed in many, many ways. And I m not talking presents either. Just a lot of actions by a lot of people. So, next year, I am just going to do my thing as I always do and do right by everyone, but not expect people to reciprocate. In other words, I set high expectations and then get let down. I will try and not do that next year.
Oh, and I need to add --- people seemed to be trying to outdo each other with the amount and price of gifts. I felt kind of like my things were not good enough or that I didn't spend enough. Then I went home and regrouped and thought --- what a minute! That's crazy! I took a lot of time picking out things and I did the best that I could and spent what I could and what I thought was appropriate. I have nothing to feel bad about and I am not going to allow myself to feel like that next year. If people want to outdo each other and spend and spend and get themselves in a financial bind, then go ahead.
12-27-2015 12:03 PM
@qualitygal wrote:
@Mominohio wrote:you will be putting to use for the next one?
For me, I did cut down on the quantity of cookies and candy I baked. I still made the same large variety, just less of each kind. I thought the cut back would be sufficient, as we give away less now than in the past, and we want to eat less of them (really only want them in the house for about a week, otherwise we over indulge). Even with the cutback, I had/have too many. So next year, cutting back a little more.
So what experiences did you have this year, that will influence what you plan for next year?
I agree on the food. We cut out a few dishes once we found out how everyone was eating now and I think it was right on. Maybe knowing that, some other women won't overdue next year too and it'll be less work and stress for SOME. Everyone knows what they need to do. Feel like most are saying, "less is more" and I agree. It cuts the exhaustion out and frustration. Simple is a lot better!!
You touched on something that I have considered. Many of us, when it comes to the holiday meals, parties, or baking do tend to do so much, much more than is even needed. I had begun to wonder why and where I got the idea that I had to do this.
I looked back at the huge family gatherings of my childhood, at the pictures of the tables heavy laden with food, and I realized that not only was that there to feed maybe 30 or 40 people (which I have never entertained as an adult during Christmas or Thanksgiving) but it was made by and brought to the table by perhaps up to 7 different women. It wasn't all done by just one person/family. It was a combined effort.
I guess I was trying to set the table (and create the number of cookies needed for all the plates my mom and great aunt did back in the 70's when they gave away 20 or more big plates of cookies to friends, family and neighbors) for the four to maybe eight of us that ever tend to now gather together for a holiday event.
I realized, just very recently, that I was doing the work of many women, and for many more people than are here to partake of it all now. It may sound silly, but it is very revealing. Kind of like the mother who, after their kids leave home, has trouble cooking for just two, after all those years of cooking for a crowd.
I cut back on all food quantity this year, and I still had too much. I still want the variety, but want less of each thing, so I will decrease the amount again next year (especially the cookies and candies, still want some of every variety, but less batches of each one). Discovering this, and understanding how much stress and work it will take off me, makes me excited. I was thinking I would have to not make things that were tradition and I WANT to continue because it was just too much work, when in fact, my first steps just needed to be to make (buy, decorate etc.) less, not eliminate certain things entirely.
Maybe someone else out there who has been feeling overwhelmed with it all, might have a light bulb go off when reading this, so I thought I'd share.
12-27-2015 03:07 PM
@Mominohio I learned that I have to begin decorating much earlier than I did this year so I dont wreck myself. I was so far behind that I was still at it Christmas Eve, and only finished just before I had to begin cooking. I am still recovering, lol. That night, I lay in bed and felt things going on in my aching legs, couldn't move for an hour. Only today can I walk without aching, and that is only because I stayed off of my feet for the last two days.
It's a good thing I ordered Cheryl's cookies or we would not have had desert Christmas Eve. I did manage to make gingerbread for Christmas Day desert. I will do some baking and candy making this week to have on New Year's Eve and Day because I won't be decorating, Y A Y! ! !
12-27-2015 03:19 PM
Over the last 2 years we have made changes to simplify things so that Christmas would be more enjoyable versus a list of things to get done. There is always one or two family members that have a drama filled life and like to chat up the bad things. This year I didn't let that happen. I politely told anyone who started down that road that I was enjoying Christmas and those conversations can be had on another day. Best decision I ever made. I would like to think that it is possible to have one day where the good stuff is the focus. I wish all of you a great 2016!
12-28-2015 09:49 AM
@AngelPuppy1 wrote:As far as baking, next year I am doing --- NONE! I baked for the majority of one day and was worn out. I have to say and I am not being rude, but people didn't appreciate it at all and so much was just left and not eaten or even touched. So, next year, I will buy a few and that's it. It's not worth the expense, effort and time.
I am not buying a bunch of wrapping paper and cards like I always do. I still have plenty left and need to use what I have.
I was very excited about Christmas this year as I always am and got disappointed in many, many ways. And I m not talking presents either. Just a lot of actions by a lot of people. So, next year, I am just going to do my thing as I always do and do right by everyone, but not expect people to reciprocate. In other words, I set high expectations and then get let down. I will try and not do that next year.
Oh, and I need to add --- people seemed to be trying to outdo each other with the amount and price of gifts. I felt kind of like my things were not good enough or that I didn't spend enough. Then I went home and regrouped and thought --- what a minute! That's crazy! I took a lot of time picking out things and I did the best that I could and spent what I could and what I thought was appropriate. I have nothing to feel bad about and I am not going to allow myself to feel like that next year. If people want to outdo each other and spend and spend and get themselves in a financial bind, then go ahead.
I do understand where you are coming from in this post.
I won't say I've been angry, or even hurt, but perhaps baffled might be a good description of how I've felt about a few things the last couple of years.
I love to send and receive Christmas cards. I spend a lot of time picking just the right cards that reflect who I am. I've never sent a lot, but maybe as many as 25 per year. I used to get back at least half of that. I'm just old (and old fashioned) enough to really look forward to getting cards in the mail from people I know and love. I save many of them, and put them out in a basket to review each year.
This year I sent out the usual amount and got only three. I know many are not doing it any longer. Some just think themselves too busy or stressed, others maybe going 'green' and not 'wasting' paper. No one I know has stopped because of finances. It is just disappointing, that something so simple, and such a tradition, has gone by the way side.
And the baking too. I cut back this year. My family loves and appreciates it, but there are fewer of them all the time. I used to give away a lot of cookies and candy, and while they have always been well received, I noticed no one else ever reciprocated.
It's not like I'm keeping score, and I still enjoy these kinds of things, but in the process of cutting back to make the holiday traditions more manageable as I age and my health declines, I have and will (sadly) cut back things like this, when it appears others don't appreciate the effort. There are still people who don't send me a card who will get one, because I understand their circumstance and know they like being remembered, and the same with the cookies. But those that seem to not appreciate it at all, or don't seem to care to reciprocate, are being removed from my efforts, so I have the energy and resources to continue traditions for those that do.
As I've stated, I'm not angry at people, or even hurt by their lack of appreciation (never have received a thank you note for a nice holiday plate, filled with homemade cookies and candy, or even a quick phone call), but I have reached a place in my life where I think I need to do for those that appreciate my efforts, and move on from those that appear not to.
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