creating
your own holiday traditions
by Ramona Creel of OnlineOrganizing.com
I love this time of year -- decorations on the houses, a cold nip
in the air, beautiful music everywhere you go. I often have a hard
time understanding why so many people get so FRUSTRATED during the
holidays -- until I go out in public and partake of the madness.
Between the crowds, the crazed spending, and the pressures to participate
in every social event that comes along, it's no wonder that some
folks dread this joyous season!
So I invite you to make a pact with me -- this is the year that
you decide to step off of the treadmill and do your own thing. Who
says that you have to have a nervous breakdown to celebrate properly?
Where is it written that you must give in to the consumer feeding
frenzy? If I remember correctly, the holidays are supposed to be
a time when you celebrate all that is good about life -- when you
enjoy the company of your friends and family -- and when you spread
goodwill wherever you go. The holidays are a time when you get to
practice being the person you always hoped you could be -- how can
you do that when you are going 90 miles an hour? Let's take time
this year to develop a few holiday rituals that focus on your true
priorities.
TURN OFF THE TV
How much time do you spend during the holiday season watching the
boob tube? TV execs have got things figured out this time of year
-- if they call it a "special," everyone will tune in. But how many
times do you really need to see the "Grinch" and "It's A Wonderful
Life"? Wouldn't that time be better spent doing something meaningful
with your loved ones? Try and trade at least one TV show for the
telling of a holiday story -- or go caroling around your neighborhood.
The memories you share will be much more valuable than that lost
hour in front of the telly.
FOCUS ON GIVING RATHER THAN RECEIVING
I received an e-mail 2 years ago called "The White Envelope" --
and it really made me think about the true meaning of the holidays.
On Christmas morning, a family came downstairs to open their presents
and found a white envelope sitting on the mantel. No one was sure
who put it there, but they eagerly opened the envelope, thinking
it might be another present. It was, but not for any of them. Enclosed
was a letter, stating that an anonymous gift had been given to a
local community group on behalf of the family. No one ever confessed
to having made the donation, but every year one member of the family
would secretly take a turn at the tradition. And from that point
forward, the family was more excited about opening the white envelope
than their own gifts. What would you place in your white envelope?
TRY ON ANOTHER HOLIDAY FOR SIZE
One of my favorite holiday rituals is celebrating in the tradition
of another culture each year. This doesn't mean abandoning your
own religious beliefs or personal preferences -- it's just an exercise
in expanding your horizons. One year, we celebrated the last day
of Hanukkah with some Jewish friends -- another year, we lit the
candles on the kenara each day of Kwanzaa. There are so many interesting
holidays during the winter months -- solstice, Boxing Day, Ramadaan
-- each with fascinating origins and symbolism.
You can also find hundreds of different ways to celebrate Christmas
-- try fixing a holiday dish from another country or instituting
a foreign tradition. Maybe this year, you can put out wooden shoes
instead of stockings (Holland) -- or hang a blown glass pickle on
your tree (Germany) -- or have your holiday meal at midnight on
Christmas eve (Mexico). This practice will liven up your holidays,
give your family something new and interesting to do each year,
and keep you from getting into a rut with your celebrations.
TURN CHORES INTO A PLEASANT RITUAL
Many people look at the traditional activities of the holiday season
-- putting up decorations, sending greeting cards, baking goodies
-- as a chore rather than a joy. I can think of nothing more distasteful
than doing something because I HAVE TO! But I've found that setting
the mood makes all the difference. Instead of sitting at a dreary
desk with inadequate lighting and a cramp in your neck writing out
cards, take your stationery to a cozy little cafe and make an afternoon
out of it. Rather than fighting with those tangled strings of lights
by yourself, invite your friends to a decorating party. Turn on
some holiday music, order some food, and serve hot chocolate --
you will be surprised at how much fun you have!
GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN
Which holiday party sounds better to you: one where you get to spend
time socializing with your friends and family -- or one where you
spend all night running back and forth to the kitchen checking,
tasting, basting, serving, and cleaning up? I personally would go
for the first choice! Your loved ones will appreciate you much more
if they actually see you than if you serve them a 17 course meal.
Remember, Martha Stewart has a paid staff and tons of money and
way too much time on her hands! Instead of trying to kill yourself
entertaining, plan a potluck or a progressive dinner (where each
guest prepares one course and you eat your way from house to house).
Or you can even have your party catered. Do whatever it takes so
that you can actually enjoy the celebration along with your guests.
SPEND SOME QUIET TIME
We often get caught up in the idea that we need to always busy during
the holidays -- going somewhere, doing something -- we're so busy
having amazing experiences that we can't even remember them all!
There is a lot to be said for stopping and just sitting still. I
can't tell you how much I enjoy lighting a few candles, putting
on some soft music, and curling up with a book and a cup of tea
in front of the fire. That's my holiday quiet time. Yours might
involve a walk through the neighborhood looking at lights or time
with your kids before bed. Build some silence into your list of
rituals -- you will find that the holidays seem much less hectic
and more enjoyable.
GET OUT OF THE MALL AND BACK TO NATURE
Unfortunately, most of our holiday experiences these days seem to
be inside of a building -- concerts, shopping, parties, Festival
Of Trees, indoor ice skating -- don't people get outside anymore?
Develop some rituals that involve stepping out into nature. Hang
pine cone ornaments (covered in peanut butter and bird seed) on
trees in the woods -- as a treat for the birds. Go to a Christmas
tree farm and cut your own tree. Build a snowman. Just take a walk
through the brisk morning air. Get "unplugged" for a little bit
and reflect on the real meaning of the season.
Ramona
Creel is the founder of OnlineOrganizing.com
-- offering "a world of organizing solutions!"
Visit OnlineOrganizing.com
for organizing products, free tips, a speakers bureau -- and even
get a referral for a Professional Organizer near you. And if you
are interested in becoming a Professional Organizer, we have all
the tools you need to succeed. (Copyright 2000, Ramona Creel)
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