Holiday Words of Wisdom

This Cold December day I gift you with a few Holiday words of wisdom to remember.

I would like to impart some self learned lessons to you, this knowledge comes from me personally as a crafter, mother and member of a family that tended to treat the holidays with stress and dread.

1) Plan ahead, start early.
For shoppers and everyone: No shopping on Black Friday is not getting a jump on holiday shopping. Hubby and I are already buying for little Bears Yule next year. Not kidding. While things like clothes can not be planned too far out, You can predict your child's development in stages a year ahead with some accuracy. No you can no buy into what the media will say is the hot new toy next year, but you can get good quality toys year round. Buying ahead allows you to save up and get better quality items. Know your child, know their likes and focus on what they will genuinely enjoy. Not what will be a fad they will play with once and discarded before the Yule tree is down.

For crafters: No one wants to craft holiday goodies in May or June, no one! We all want to wait till mid November then think we are getting an early start, then come the first week of December or in some of uses case third week, the panic sets in. We  all do it every single year! Every Year! Do not do it to yourself! Do not give in! Start in September or whenever the first signs of chill hit and only pick a couple of projects to get done. After they are finished you can approach any further crafts with no expectations. Stick to day or weekend projects. Keep them small, keep them simple. And Know your own pace. It is good to know how long it takes you to complete different projects of different size.

2) Lower your expectations.
Shoppers and everyone: Take a deep breath and know it will all be okay! No one "needs" stuff. Shopping, baking, decorating, it is about the joy of the season, and giving not about stuff. Once things are in perspective you can move forward. Do what you enjoy and only how much you can. I suggest creating a mental flowchart, those you feel most driven to do for at the center then work your way out. Only allow your focus to remain on the middle of your bubble and then when chance or luck allows you to bubble over feel joy from that. If you plan ahead and start early for kids and close family, then you may be surprised as you get closer that you have a little extra to splurge on buying things for those folks you normally wouldn't. It feels super good to give to those who don't expect it.

Crafters: Set realistic goals, be forgiving of yourself, and keep it simple. Know what you can get done, don't commit to more than that. Be realistic how long it takes to do things. Set achievable goals and once they are completed enjoy the extras you get done as just that, extras. Focus on gifts early, way early, once gift are done focus on fun stuff for yourself.

3) Remember what is important ad where the focus should be.
SHoppers and everyone: Remember where the focus should be. I am not talking religion. What dose the holiday mean to you? Giving? Time with family? Joy? What ever the important things are to you, hold that message tight and stick to it. Put those priorities first for yourself and make sure everything you do keep that in mind. If giving is what it is about for you, keep that message in mind. Be careful getting caught up in commercialism traps, wants and expectations. Instead maybe focus on giving the unexpected to those without expectations. If family is important to you maybe switch the focus to crafts you can do together or baking and decorating cookies and treats together.

Crafters: Be realistic when deciding what is important. Keep priorities realistic and in mind from start to finish. I suggest keeping gifts useful and only made for those who will use and appreciate them for you own sanity. Keep fun crafts limited to things you can reuse, will use and enjoy. Hats, scarves, socks, and mittens for the poor can be made year round in your spare time. Edible garlands and decorative treats for outside animals can be made with kids and family. Family can have fun baking treats to give as gifts. Just keep it fun and not overwhelming.

4) Have fun!
Shoppers and everyone: If it is not fun stop!!! I am serious! If you are not enjoying it why are you doing it? Little Timmy will not die without the latest Turbo Man doll! This is not a competition! Remember why you are doing this and what is important to you. If little Sally doesn't deserve a Potty Patty doll and you resent "having" to buy her one, then don't! Maybe Sally needs to spend the Holiday feeding the homeless and doing for others while spending time with you. Which gift will benefit her more in the long run?

Crafters: If you hate it set it down! No really! Walk away now! Go for a walk, sip some tea, read a book, pick up another project and come back refreshed. No one wants a gift filled with hate, rage and anger! We all want gifts made with love by someone who had fun making them for us. Something made by someone who wanted to be making it. So, if you do not want to make it, DON'T!

Remember traditions are what you make them, and what do you want other people to remember when they think of you and the holidays?

Feel free to share this wisdom by linking back to our blog if you think others could benefit from these bits of wisdom.